Introduction
Dividing retirement assets in a divorce can be anything but simple—especially when the account in question is a 401(k) plan with employer contributions, vesting rules, and possible loan balances. If your or your spouse’s retirement account is with the Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan, you’ll need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to properly divide those assets. At PeacockQDROs, we’ve handled thousands of QDROs, so we know firsthand what it takes to do it right from start to finish—including working with plan administrators, court filing, and ensuring distribution actually happens.
This article explains everything you need to know about using a QDRO to divide the Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan in divorce. We’ll cover how this specific plan works, QDRO requirements, Roth and loan issues, and what mistakes to avoid.
What Is a QDRO?
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a court order that allows a retirement account to be divided between spouses (or former spouses) without triggering early withdrawal penalties or unintended tax consequences. It applies only to ERISA-qualified plans like 401(k)s and is required in order to transfer funds to a non-employee spouse, also known as an “alternate payee.”
Without a QDRO, even a divorce judgment awarding part of the 401(k) doesn’t legally authorize the plan to make the transfer. That’s why getting a properly drafted and approved QDRO is crucial.
Plan-Specific Details for the Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan
When dividing a 401(k) account, every detail matters. Here’s what we know about the Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan:
- Plan Name: Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan
- Sponsor: Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) plan
- Plan Address: 20250421114730NAL0006324690001, 2024-01-01
- Plan Type: 401(k)
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Corporation
- Plan Status: Active
- EIN: Unknown (required for QDRO filing)
- Plan Number: Unknown (usually required in final QDRO)
While some details such as the EIN and plan number are currently unavailable, these are typically required when finalizing a QDRO. Often, we can obtain this information during the preapproval process or through communication with the plan administrator.
Employee vs. Employer Contributions
Why the Difference Matters
In 401(k) division, it’s important to account for both employee contributions (which are always 100% vested) and employer contributions (which may be subject to vesting). The Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan likely offers a matching or discretionary employer contribution component.
How to Address Contributions in a QDRO
A good QDRO should specify whether the alternate payee is entitled to:
- A portion of the employee contributions and investment gains/losses
- A percentage of employer contributions that are vested as of the date of divorce or QDRO entry
- Nothing from non-vested employer contributions, which may later be forfeited if the employee leaves the company
Vesting Schedules and Forfeitures
Employer contributions in the Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan may be subject to a vesting schedule. This means they become “owned” by the employee only after a certain amount of service. If you’re dividing the account, you need to consider whether the employer contributions are vested as of the cut-off date (typically the date of separation or divorce).
Unvested portions cannot generally be paid to the alternate payee and may be forfeited if the employee leaves before full vesting. Your QDRO should specify whether any forfeited amounts revert to the participant or are excluded entirely.
Loan Balances: What Happens in a Divorce?
401(k) loans can complicate QDROs. If the employee has taken out a loan against their Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan account, the outstanding loan balance affects the account value. However, loans are not divisible.
Key Points:
- Loan balances reduce the total account value for purposes of division.
- QDROs cannot assign part of the loan to the alternate payee.
- Some divorces subtract the loan balance from the account value before calculation; others divide the gross value and leave the loan obligation with the participant.
Your QDRO must clearly address how loans are treated to avoid confusion or accidental overpayment.
Handling Roth, Traditional, and After-Tax Subaccounts
Many modern 401(k) plans include Roth and traditional subaccounts. Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars and grow tax-free, while traditional contributions grow tax-deferred and are taxed upon withdrawal.
Why This Matters in a QDRO:
Each subaccount (Roth vs. traditional) must be divided separately. Failing to identify and reference each type could lead to improper distributions and unintended tax issues for the alternate payee.
If the Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan includes Roth balances, your QDRO must specify how those are to be divided—by percentage or fixed dollar amount. At PeacockQDROs, we always ask for the plan’s latest statements to confirm the presence of Roth or after-tax balances before drafting.
Drafting a Solid QDRO for the Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan
Here’s what goes into a properly drafted QDRO for this plan:
- Include full plan name: Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) Plan
- List the plan sponsor as: Nuvalent, Inc.. 401(k) plan
- Identify participants and alternate payees with full legal names and mailing addresses
- Specify the account division method (percentage, dollar amount, etc.)
- Address the division of earnings and losses from the valuation date to distribution
- Handle loan balances correctly
- Note any Roth subaccounts separately if applicable
- Use the plan number and EIN when available (we help clients obtain this if missing)
Avoiding Common Mistakes
We frequently see errors in QDROs that either delay processing or result in over or underpayments. These include:
- Leaving out Roth account language
- Failing to address loan balances or forfeitures
- Using generic QDRO templates not tailored to the actual plan
- Not obtaining plan administrator preapproval when available
Want to know what else to watch out for? Check out our page on common QDRO mistakes.
How Long Does It Take to Finalize a QDRO?
The process can take from 2 to 6 months, depending on court backlogs, plan administrator response times, and other factors. We cover this in more detail on our page about QDRO processing timelines.
Why Choose PeacockQDROs?
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.
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way. Whether you’re the participant or the alternate payee, we know how to protect your interests and get the job done.
Next Steps
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 Nuvalent, Inc.. 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.