Understanding the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan in Divorce
Dividing retirement assets during a divorce is often complex, especially when it comes to 401(k) plans like the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan. Whether you’re the employee participant or the alternate payee (usually the former spouse), protecting your share under the law requires a properly drafted Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO.
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve completed thousands of QDROs from start to finish. That means we don’t just draft the order and leave you hanging—we file with the court, handle pre-approval if needed, work directly with the plan administrator, and follow through until your order is implemented correctly. That’s what sets us apart from firms that just hand over a document and wish you luck.
Here’s what you need to know about dividing the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan in your divorce.
Plan-Specific Details for the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan
- Plan Name: M9 Solutions Retirement Plan
- Sponsor: M9 solutions, LLC
- Address: 4780 Ashford Dunwoody Road
- Plan Type: 401(k)
- Effective Plan Dates: 2012-01-01 through 2021-12-31 (subject to updates)
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Status: Active
- Plan Number: Unknown (Required for QDRO submission)
- EIN: Unknown (Also required in QDRO documentation)
This 401(k) plan is active and sponsored by M9 solutions, LLC, categorized in the General Business sector. Specifics like the EIN and plan number are necessary for the QDRO to be accepted by the administrator—you’ll need to obtain that information from plan documents or your HR department. We help our clients locate and fill these gaps as part of our full-service QDRO process.
Why You Need a QDRO to Divide the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan
If your divorce judgment awards you or your former spouse a share of the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan, that award cannot be implemented without a court-signed and plan-approved QDRO. This order tells the 401(k) plan administrator exactly how the benefits should be divided, including the percentage, timing, and structure of payments.
What a QDRO Does
A QDRO legally recognizes the right of an alternate payee (typically a former spouse) to receive all or a portion of the retirement benefits payable to the participant under the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan. Without it, the plan can’t lawfully transfer funds—even if a divorce agreement says otherwise.
Key Issues to Address in Dividing a 401(k) Plan
As a 401(k), the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan comes with some unique aspects. A well-prepared QDRO must address the following:
1. Employee and Employer Contributions
Most divorcing spouses divide the total account value as of a set date (usually the date of separation or another agreed-upon date). However, 401(k) plans like this can include both:
- Employee contributions: These are always 100% vested.
- Employer contributions: These may be subject to a vesting schedule and may not all be available for division.
We make sure your QDRO calculates only the vested portion of employer contributions, unless otherwise agreed to in your divorce terms. Mismatching these figures is one of the most common QDRO mistakes. See more common pitfalls.
2. Vesting Schedules and Forfeitures
Some portion of employer contributions may not be fully vested at the time the marriage ends. If the employee isn’t 100% vested yet, the non-vested portion could eventually be forfeited if they leave the company. A properly phrased QDRO can include language to address this, so the alternate payee doesn’t rely on funds that may never materialize.
3. Loan Balances and Repayment
Many participants borrow against their 401(k) plans. If the employee has taken a loan, it can significantly impact the account balance. Your QDRO must specify whether the loan amount is included or excluded from the value being divided.
That decision affects the actual dollar amount the alternate payee receives. At PeacockQDROs, we help you make the right call based on your divorce decree and the plan’s rules.
4. Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Funds
The M9 Solutions Retirement Plan may include both pre-tax (traditional) and after-tax (Roth) contributions. These are separate account types and must be handled accordingly. Your QDRO should either divide each type equitably or specify which one(s) are included. Failing to separate Roth and traditional funds can lead to tax surprises later on.
QDRO Timing: When to Start the Process
Waiting too long can lead to missed opportunities or mistakes. The best time to initiate your QDRO for the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan is immediately after your divorce judgment is finalized—or even sooner, if your state allows QDRO prep and preapproval prior to final judgment.
If you need an idea of how long it might take, we’ve explained five key timing factors here.
Getting Pre-Approved by the Plan (If Applicable)
We always try to obtain pre-approval from the plan administrator if the plan permits it. This avoids costly re-dos after the court signs the QDRO. Although the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan’s QDRO procedures aren’t publicly posted, we know how to identify the plan administrator’s policies and request any forms and model language they may require.
What to Include in a QDRO for the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan
- Full plan name: M9 Solutions Retirement Plan
- Plan sponsor: M9 solutions, LLC
- Full legal names of the participant and alternate payee
- The exact percentage or dollar amount to be transferred
- Valuation date: Usually date of separation or divorce judgment
- Treatment of loan balances (include or exclude)
- Clarification of Roth vs. traditional funds
- Language addressing future earnings, gains, or losses
- Vesting clause clarification, especially for employer contributions
Each plan administrator may have specific preferences for QDRO content—even within the general rules set by federal law. That’s why PeacockQDROs doesn’t believe in QDRO templates. We tailor each order to the specifics of your plan and divorce agreement.
Why Choose PeacockQDROs?
There’s no substitute for doing it right. At PeacockQDROs, we’ve handled thousands of QDROs through every step of the process:
- We draft your order in plain, accurate legal language.
- Submit it to the plan for preapproval (if allowed).
- Work with your local court to get it signed and entered.
- Send the QDRO to the administrator and follow up as needed.
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way.
If you’re getting divorced and dividing a company retirement plan like the M9 Solutions Retirement Plan, don’t cut corners. We know these documents inside and out, and we’re here to help.
Need Help With Your QDRO?
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 M9 Solutions Retirement 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.