1. Dividing Employee and Employer Contributions
One of the first things your QDRO needs to do is clarify what part of the account will be divided. For 401(k) plans like this one, there are generally two types of contributions: employee deferrals and employer matches.
- Employee Contributions: Considered marital property if earned during the marriage.
- Employer Contributions: May be subject to vesting. Only the vested portion can be divided through a QDRO.
Your attorney or QDRO preparer (like us) will need to identify the marital portion and confirm the participant’s vesting schedule to avoid awarding amounts that legally don’t belong to either party.

