Introduction
Dividing retirement assets like the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan during divorce can quickly become complicated—especially when you’re dealing with vesting schedules, loan balances, and traditional vs. Roth account types. If you or your spouse participates in this plan, you’ll likely need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to divide it legally and correctly.
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve handled thousands of QDROs, including plans just like the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan. We don’t just draft the document—we handle preapproval, court filing, plan submission, and follow-up. Our full-service approach sets us apart from other firms that leave you to finish the process alone. Let’s break down what you need to know to divide this specific plan properly in your divorce.
Plan-Specific Details for the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan
If you’re dividing the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan, here’s what we currently know:
- Plan Name: Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan
- Sponsor: C/o dominion energy services, Inc.
- Address: 120 TREDEGAR ST, CLEARINGHOUSE 3FL
- Plan Status: Active
- Plan Type: 401(k)
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Corporation
- Plan Number: Unknown (you’ll need to request this directly from the sponsor when preparing the QDRO)
- EIN: Unknown (also required for the QDRO; your attorney or preparer will assist in obtaining it)
Because some key administrative details like plan number and EIN are currently unknown, it’s critical to work with a professional who can obtain them correctly during the QDRO process.
Why You Need a QDRO for the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan
Federal law requires a QDRO to divide retirement funds from a 401(k) plan like the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan. Without a QDRO, the plan administrator cannot legally distribute retirement assets to a former spouse, and the transfer may trigger taxes or penalties.
A QDRO ensures that the alternate payee (typically the non-employee spouse) receives a share of the participant’s vested account balance—without early withdrawal penalties.
Key Issues to Address When Dividing the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan
Employee and Employer Contributions
The QDRO must clearly specify what portion of the account—employee contributions, employer contributions, or both—is being divided. In 401(k) plans, both types are common, but employer contributions may be subject to vesting schedules, which we cover next.
Vesting and Forfeitures
This plan may include a vesting schedule for employer contributions, which means only a portion of those contributions may be available to the alternate payee based on the employee’s years of service. Any unvested amounts at the time of divorce cannot be awarded, and may be forfeited if the employee leaves before fully vesting. A well-drafted QDRO will address how these unvested funds are handled.
Loan Balances
If the account holder has an outstanding loan from their Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan, you’ll need to account for this in the division. You have a few options:
- Exclude the loan and divide based on the balance minus the loan amount
- Include the loan as part of the account’s full value and divide accordingly (this gives the alternate payee credit for the loan)
Each option has pros and cons, so make sure your QDRO attorney explains the impact of this choice.
Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Funds
This plan might include both traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) 401(k) funds. Your QDRO must specify how each component is divided. Mixing or failing to properly identify Roth and traditional accounts can cause taxation issues and plan rejections. A thorough QDRO will separate these clearly.
QDRO Drafting Tips for the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan
Know What’s Divisible
The Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan likely offers multiple types of contributions: pre-tax, Roth, employer matching, and possible discretionary profit-sharing. Make sure the QDRO specifies how each is treated—and only includes vested sums when dividing employer contributions.
Gather Proper Documentation
You’ll need several pieces of information to complete the QDRO correctly, including:
- Participant’s most recent account statement
- Plan Summary Description (SPD)
- Exact Plan Name: Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan
- Plan Sponsor: C/o dominion energy services, Inc.
- Plan Number and EIN once obtained
Don’t guess when it comes to plan details—errors could result in denial or long delays.
Establish a Clear Valuation Date
It’s important to define the “cutoff” date for dividing plan benefits. This could be the date of separation, the date of divorce filing, or another agreed-upon date. Your QDRO should clarify this to avoid ambiguity and disputes down the road.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent QDRO errors we see for 401(k) plans like the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan include:
- Failing to separate traditional and Roth accounts
- Incorrect assumptions about vested employer contributions
- Leaving loan treatment unclear or omitted
- Submitting a QDRO without required plan numbers or sponsor identifiers
We strongly recommend reviewing this list of common QDRO mistakes to ensure your order is prepared accurately the first time.
How Long Will It Take?
The timing for processing a QDRO can vary a lot. Many factors affect it, including how fast the court signs the order and how responsive the plan administrator is. We explain the key timing variables in this blog post.
With PeacockQDROs on your side, we manage the entire process so it doesn’t stall due to missing paperwork or overlooked plan requirements.
Why Choose PeacockQDROs for Your Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan QDRO?
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve completed thousands of QDROs from start to finish. That means we don’t just write the order—we handle:
- Initial drafting after reviewing your court orders
- Preapproval (if applicable) with the plan administrator
- Court filing and judicial approval
- Submission to the plan with proper follow-up
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on doing things the right way. If you’re working with the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan, you need accuracy, attention to plan terms, and experienced QDRO professionals on your side.
Visit our main QDRO services page to learn more: https://www.peacockesq.com/qdros/
Conclusion
Dividing a 401(k) plan is never “plug-and-play,” especially when you’re dealing with complex plans like the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan. From vesting issues to Roth accounts, your QDRO needs to be tailored specifically to this plan’s terms—otherwise, you could lose valuable rights or experience serious delays.
At PeacockQDROs, we’re here to make the process as smooth as possible—start to finish. We’ll help ensure your rights are preserved, and that your QDRO is legally compliant and administratively approved.
If your divorce was in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, or North Dakota, and you have questions about qualified domestic relations orders or dividing retirement assets like the Dominion Energy 401(k) Plan, contact PeacockQDROs. We specialize in QDROs and have successfully processed thousands of orders from start to finish.
Get the answers you need—explore our QDRO resources or reach out for personalized help if you’re in one of our service states.