Dividing the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan with a QDRO
When couples divorce, one of the most overlooked but often most valuable assets to divide is a retirement plan like a 401(k). If you or your spouse have contributions in the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan, you’ll likely need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to correctly divide that account. Without a proper QDRO, you could face taxes, delays, and even risk losing part of your share. This article breaks down what you need to know to divide this specific 401(k) plan lawfully and efficiently.
What Is a QDRO?
A QDRO, or Qualified Domestic Relations Order, is a special court order required under federal law to divide certain retirement plans—such as 401(k)s—between divorcing spouses. It offers legal protection to the receiving spouse (often called the “alternate payee”) and directs the plan administrator on how to properly split the account.
Not only does a QDRO allow for a tax-free transfer of retirement funds in divorce situations, but it also ensures the division complies with both state marital property laws and federal retirement laws like ERISA.
Plan-Specific Details for the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan
Before drafting a QDRO, it’s important to gather detailed information about the specific retirement plan involved. Here’s what we currently know about the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan:
- Plan Name: Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan
- Sponsor: Rne hospitality, LLC
- Address: 20250619161156NAL0004913088001, 2024-01-01
- EIN: Unknown
- Plan Number: Unknown
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Status: Active
- Participants: Unknown
- Assets: Unknown
- Plan Year: Unknown to Unknown
- Effective Date: Unknown
Because the plan falls under General Business and is maintained by a Business Entity, we generally expect it to follow standard 401(k) features including employee elective deferrals, possibly matching employer contributions, and account types like traditional and Roth 401(k)s. You’ll need to request the Summary Plan Description (SPD) from the plan administrator to confirm exact provisions.
Key QDRO Issues for the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan
Employee vs. Employer Contributions
401(k) balances usually include both employee contributions (dollars you have contributed from your paycheck) and employer contributions (such as a match). These two categories are divided differently in a QDRO.
- Employee contributions are always 100% vested and divisible.
- Employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule — if some are unvested at the time of divorce or QDRO entry, they may not be distributable to the alternate payee.
This is a particularly sensitive issue in plans like the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan, where employer contributions may not be fully vested at the time of the divorce.
Loan Balances and QDRO Impacts
If the account holder has taken a loan from their 401(k), it will affect the amount available to divide. A QDRO cannot assign funds that are currently held as a loan balance. You need to clarify whether the loan reduces the marital portion or only affects the account holder’s share. Courts manage this differently depending on your state’s laws and your final marital settlement agreement.
Roth vs. Traditional Sub-Accounts
The Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan may include both traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) sub-accounts. This matters for a QDRO because the tax treatment of each is different:
- Pre-tax (traditional 401(k)) distributions are typically taxed to the alternate payee when withdrawn, unless they are rolled into another qualified plan.
- Roth 401(k) distributions, if qualified, are usually tax-free.
Your QDRO should clearly distinguish between the two, especially if one spouse is entitled to funds from just one type.
Pro Tips for Dividing the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan
1. Request the Plan’s QDRO Procedures
The plan administrator for the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan (through Rne hospitality, LLC) may have specific QDRO procedures and require preapproval. Always request these guidelines early on to avoid delays. Submitting without preapproval could lead to rejection and wasted time.
2. Address Vesting in the Order
If employer contributions are subject to a schedule, make sure your QDRO states whether the alternate payee will share only the vested portion or get future vesting (if the order is treated as of the date of divorce versus the date of distribution).
3. Get the Dates Right
Most QDROs divide the account “as of” a certain date—usually the date of separation, filing, or judgment. Be clear and consistent in both the marital settlement agreement and the QDRO itself to avoid disputes or confusion.
4. Follow Through Is Essential
Don’t assume the court will notify the plan administrator after your QDRO is signed. It’s your responsibility to ensure timely submission and obtain confirmation that the division has been processed. At PeacockQDROs, we handle this entire process so nothing falls through the cracks.
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. Our team knows what it takes to properly divide a plan like the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan and protect your share of the savings—on both sides of the divorce.
Want to avoid common issues? Make sure to read our resource on common QDRO mistakes.
How Long Does It Take?
The time it takes to complete a QDRO can vary based on multiple factors. We break that down in our post on how long a QDRO takes. Prompt action, complete documentation, and good communication with the plan administrator—like Rne hospitality, LLC—can significantly reduce timeline problems.
Next Steps for Dividing the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan
To divide the Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 401(k) Plan correctly, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Gather account statements from the date of separation
- Request QDRO guidelines from Rne hospitality, LLC
- Clarify if there are outstanding loans or Roth account balances
- Confirm the vesting schedule for employer contributions
- Hire a qualified QDRO attorney to prepare and handle the order submission
If you don’t want to risk costly errors or processing delays, we’re here to help.
Let’s Get Started
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 Chick-fil-a Forest Hill 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.