State courts are responsible for—

(a) Providing due process to the employee or retiree;

(b) Issuing clear, specific, and express instructions consistent with the statutory provisions authorizing OPM to provide benefits to former spouses or child abuse creditors and the requirements of this part for awarding such benefits;

(c) Using the terminology defined in this part only when it intends to use the meaning given to that terminology by this part;

(d) Determining when court orders are invalid; and

(e) Settling all disputes between the employee or retiree and the former spouse or child abuse creditor.

[57 FR 33574, July 29, 1992, as amended at 59 FR 66638, Dec. 28, 1994]