1. Employer Contributions and Vesting Schedules
Like many business 401(k) plans, the Hastings Architecture 401(k) Plan likely includes employer contributions that are subject to a vesting schedule. This means your spouse may not be fully entitled to the full employer match if they leave the company before hitting certain service milestones.
When drafting the QDRO, be cautious not to award unvested funds to the alternate payee. You can either exclude non-vested amounts or state that only vested amounts at the time of distribution will be awarded. Failing to do this creates confusion and delays down the line.

