Introduction
Dividing retirement assets in a divorce is rarely straightforward. When it comes to employer-sponsored plans like the Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan, getting it right means preparing a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO. This legal step is critical to ensure that the non-employee spouse—the “alternate payee”—receives their rightful share without triggering taxes or penalties.
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve completed thousands of QDROs from start to finish. That means we don’t just draft the order and leave you to figure out the rest. We handle the drafting, preapproval (if applicable), court filing, submission, and follow-up with the plan administrator. That’s what sets us apart from firms that only prepare the document and hand it off to you.
In this article, we’ll walk you through best practices for dividing the Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan in divorce, with a special focus on Roth vs. traditional contributions, vesting rules, and plan-specific complexities. If you’re facing the division of a 401(k)-style plan during divorce proceedings, this guide is for you.
Plan-Specific Details for the Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan
Before discussing the QDRO process, let’s take a closer look at the details of the plan.
- Plan Name: Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan
- Sponsor: Unknown sponsor
- Address: 2201 BROADWAY, SUITE 701
- Document Tracking ID: 20250324113232NAL0006874451001
- Plan Dates: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
- Initial Effective Date: 2010-08-30
- EIN: Unknown
- Plan Number: Unknown
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Status: Active
While the plan’s EIN and formal plan number are currently unknown, any court-approved QDRO will ultimately require that these details be obtained and included. PeacockQDROs can help track down this information as part of our full-service QDRO preparation.
Understanding the QDRO Process for the Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan
What Is a QDRO?
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order is a special court order required to divide most retirement accounts, including 401(k)-style plans like the Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan. Without it, plan administrators cannot legally transfer any portion of the retirement account to another person under divorce orders.
Role of the Plan Administrator
Because the sponsor is listed as “Unknown sponsor,” identifying the plan administrator may require contacting the employer or reviewing plan documents. Once identified, the QDRO will need to be submitted to that administrator for review, approval, and processing.
Preapproval Process
Some plan administrators allow a draft QDRO to be submitted for preapproval before court filing. This review can help avoid court rejections or administrative delays after filing. At PeacockQDROs, we include this step whenever it’s available. It minimizes the chance of needing to go back to court for corrections.
Dividing Contributions: Employee vs. Employer
In plans like the Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan, contributions typically include both employee deferrals and employer matching amounts. It’s important to understand which of these are considered marital property.
- Employee Contributions: Typically 100% vested and completely subject to division.
- Employer Contributions: Often subject to a vesting schedule. Only vested portions are marital property and divisible.
You’ll need to review plan statements or request a vesting report to know what portion of employer contributions is divisible at the time of divorce. Many parties overlook this and allocate more than the participant is eligible to give, leading to confusion during distribution. We help prevent this kind of mistake by making sure your QDRO reflects the actual vested account balance.
Vesting Schedules and Forfeitures
Because the Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan is a 401(k) plan offered by a business entity in the general business industry, it likely includes vesting schedules for employer contributions.
If the participant isn’t 100% vested in employer contributions at the time of divorce or distribution, any unvested portion will return to the plan as a forfeiture. Be sure your QDRO accounts for this by specifying that only the vested portion will be divided. Otherwise, you risk assigning funds that simply won’t be available to the alternate payee.
Loan Balances: Who Pays?
Another often misunderstood issue involves outstanding loan balances. If the account holder has taken out a loan from the Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan, that balance usually reduces the available account balance for division.
For example, if the account has $100,000 in assets but a $20,000 loan balance, the divisible amount is really $80,000. Your QDRO must address whether the alternate payee’s share is calculated including or excluding the loan. The most common approach is to base the division on the net balance after subtracting the loan.
If you want the loan to be included when calculating the marital portion, clarify whether the employee spouse will continue making payments or if the loan balance will stay “as-is” in the division. These are the kinds of fine-print details we address every day at PeacockQDROs.
Handling Traditional vs. Roth Contributions
Many plans now have both pre-tax (traditional) and post-tax (Roth) contribution types. It’s important to divide each separately in your QDRO, especially with the Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan, which likely includes both.
- Traditional contributions will be taxed upon distribution to the alternate payee, unless rolled over to another qualified plan.
- Roth contributions are not taxed when distributed if certain requirements are met.
Your QDRO should specify whether the division applies to:
- Only traditional amounts
- Only Roth amounts
- Both, split proportionally or separately
Failing to distinguish these can create tax surprises. That’s why we always request full breakdowns with traditional vs. Roth when drafting a QDRO.
Division Methods: Percentage vs. Dollar Amount
Your QDRO can use either a flat dollar amount or a percentage of the account. Percentage division is more common, especially when values fluctuate over time.
Make sure to specify the valuation date—often the date of divorce, separation, or court order—to avoid disputes later. We walk our clients through these decisions to ensure clarity and enforceability.
Timelines: What to Expect and How to Avoid Delays
The time it takes to finalize a QDRO depends on several factors:
- Whether the plan offers preapproval
- The fullness and clarity of the original divorce decree
- Court backlog in your jurisdiction
- The administrator’s review process
Read our guide on how long a QDRO can take and what causes delays.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We consistently help clients fix QDROs that were mishandled elsewhere. Visit our guide on common QDRO mistakes to learn what to watch for.
The most frequent mistakes we see include:
- Omitting Roth vs. traditional distinction
- Failing to address plan loans
- Assigning unvested amounts
- Using an inaccurate valuation date
Better to get it right the first time. We can help make that happen.
Why Work with PeacockQDROs?
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way. Our clients know that we don’t stop at the drafting—we stick with you through approval and funding. Learn more about our full process at PeacockQDROs.
Next Steps
Whether you’re the participant or the alternate payee, dividing the Changelab Solutions 403(b) Plan right requires accurate, thorough planning. From choosing the correct valuation date to determining how loans and employer matches are handled, every element matters.
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 Changelab Solutions 403(b) 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.