FL-460 is a California family court form used to create a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) specifically for support enforcement, including child support, spousal support, or partner support. A QDRO is a special type of court order that allows certain payments—often from retirement plans, pensions, or other deferred compensation accounts—to be assigned to another party to satisfy support obligations. FL-460 provides the structure needed to make the order legally valid under both state law and federal retirement-plan rules.

The form is typically used when a parent or former spouse owes ongoing support or arrears (past-due support) and wage garnishment alone is not enough, or when the paying party has retirement benefits that can be used to meet support obligations. FL-460 allows the court to direct a retirement plan administrator to withhold and distribute funds directly to the supported party or to a state disbursement unit. This ensures reliable payment even if the paying party is unemployed, self-employed, or otherwise difficult to enforce against.

FL-460 must meet strict federal requirements under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) or other federal statutes governing public employee plans. The form identifies the retirement plan, the participant, the alternate payee, and the exact support obligations being satisfied. It may order payment of a portion of monthly pension benefits, a lump sum, or withdrawals specifically designated to cover back support. Because retirement-plan rules are complex, FL-460 ensures the order is formatted correctly so the plan will accept and enforce it.

This form also functions as an earnings assignment order, giving the retirement plan administrator authority similar to a wage-garnishment order. Once the QDRO is served and approved by the plan, payments are taken automatically and applied to support obligations. This reduces enforcement problems, prevents arrears from growing, and provides stability for the supported spouse or child. It also ensures that payments comply with tax laws and federal regulations governing retirement distributions.

In summary, FL-460 is a powerful enforcement tool that allows California family courts to direct retirement-plan funds toward child support, spousal support, or partner support obligations. By creating a legally compliant QDRO, the form ensures that support payments are reliable, enforceable, and consistent with federal retirement-plan requirements. When completed correctly, FL-460 helps protect supported families and ensures long-term financial obligations are met, even when traditional wage withholding is not sufficient.