(a) Except as provided in §838.431 and paragraph (b) of this section, a court order acceptable for processing that is directed at a refund of employee contributions is not effective unless OPM receives the documentation required by §838.421 not later than—

(1) The last day of the second month before payment of the refund; or

(2) Twenty days after OPM receives the Statement required by §831.2007(c) or §843.208(b) of this chapter if the former spouse has indicated on that Statement that such a court order exists.

(b) If OPM receives a copy of a court order acceptable for processing that is directed at a refund of employee contributions but not all of the documentation required by §838.421, OPM will notify the former spouse that OPM must receive the missing items within 15 days after the date of the notice or OPM cannot comply with the court order.

[57 FR 33574, July 29, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 43493, Aug. 17, 1993]