Dividing the Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k) in Divorce
When you’re going through a divorce, dividing retirement assets like the Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k) requires more than just an agreement—it requires a special court order called a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO. Without this document, the non-employee spouse (called the “alternate payee”) cannot legally receive their share of the participant’s 401(k) plan, even if the divorce judgment says they’re entitled to it.
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve handled thousands of these plans and know what it takes to get them done properly. For 401(k) plans—especially those with loans, Roth components, and employer matches—it’s critical to follow the right process. Let’s walk through what divorcing spouses need to know about dividing the Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k) through a QDRO.
Plan-Specific Details for the Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k)
Before drafting your QDRO, it’s important to understand the specifics of the retirement plan involved. Here’s what we know about the Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k):
- Plan Name: Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k)
- Plan Sponsor: Environment specialist, Inc..
- Address: 20250819115515NAL0001138915001, 2024-04-01
- Employer Identification Number (EIN): Unknown (needs to be obtained from the plan administrator)
- Plan Number: Unknown (required for the QDRO form and should be requested)
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Corporation
- Plan Status: Active
- Participant Information: Unknown
- Plan Year: Unknown
- Effective Date: Unknown
- Assets: Unknown
You’ll need to get in contact with the plan administrator to obtain the plan number, EIN, and a copy of the summary plan description (SPD). This is crucial for preparing a QDRO that gets accepted without hold-ups.
How QDROs Divide 401(k) Plans Like Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k)
Types of Contributions
The Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k), like many corporate 401(k) plans, may include the following types of accounts:
- Employee deferral contributions (Traditional pre-tax or Roth after-tax)
- Employer matching contributions
- Discretionary employer contributions (sometimes subject to vesting)
Each of these contribution types plays a different role in your QDRO. Employee contributions are always 100% vested, so they’re typically divided based on a specified percentage or dollar amount as of a certain date. Employer contributions may be subject to vesting schedules.
Vesting and Unvested Amounts
One key issue in corporate 401(k) plans like the Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k) is vesting. Some of your spouse’s balance may not be fully vested. Non-vested employer contributions can’t be divided—even if the divorce judgment says you’re entitled to them. It’s important to clarify which portions of the account are vested as of the division date.
Loan Balances and QDRO Division
If the participant spouse has an existing loan against their Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k), this affects how the account can be divided. QDROs can treat the loan in two primary ways:
- Exclude the loan and divide the remaining balance
- Divide the account including the loan on paper, but adjust the payout accordingly
Be cautious—if the loan isn’t accounted for correctly, it can lead to disputes or plan rejection. Our QDRO strategies at PeacockQDROs consider whether a plan is likely to honor a QDRO that assigns loan obligations or includes outstanding balances in the split.
Roth vs. Traditional Accounts
Many modern 401(k)s, especially corporate plans like the Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k), offer both Roth and Traditional components. These must be handled separately in the QDRO:
- Roth balances: Post-tax and subject to different distribution rules
- Traditional balances: Pre-tax, with mandatory tax withholding on distributions
A properly drafted QDRO should state whether the split applies to both types or just one. Without this, the plan might return or misprocess your order.
Tips for Drafting a Correct QDRO for the Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k)
Address All Account Types
Make sure your order covers Roth, Traditional, and employer match accounts separately if needed. If you don’t, the plan may reject your QDRO or incorrectly exclude funds.
Include Clear Division Terms
Specify whether the alternate payee is receiving a percentage, dollar amount, or formula. A common example: “40% of the vested account balance as of January 1, 2023, plus gains or losses until the date of distribution.”
Clarify Loan Treatment
Discuss with your attorney and include in the order whether the loan is to be factored into the division or excluded. Many plans—including General Business plans for corporations like Environment specialist, Inc..—will reduce the account value by any loans unless the QDRO says otherwise.
Include Required Plan Identifiers
Your QDRO must list the plan name exactly (“Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k)”) and include its EIN and plan number. These will need to be confirmed with the administrator. Don’t guess—leaving them blank may hold up processing.
Why QDROs for 401(k) Plans Require Close Attention
Unlike pensions, 401(k) plans are account-based, so getting the division amount and timing correct is vital. You’ll also need to make sure the order addresses processing timelines and includes language that complies with the SPD, which can vary from plan to plan.
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.
Avoid These Common QDRO Errors
When preparing a QDRO for the Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k), watch out for these frequent mistakes:
- Leaving plan name, number, or EIN blank
- Failing to clarify the treatment of loans
- Overlooking Roth vs. Traditional funds
- Not specifying if gains/losses are included
- Using outdated or incorrect model forms
How Long Will It Take?
The timing for a QDRO to be completed depends on several things, including court timelines and plan administrator responsiveness. Check out our guide on the 5 key factors that affect QDRO timelines.
We’re Here to Help with the Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k)
Whether you’re the participant or alternate payee, dividing a 401(k) like Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k) requires detailed attention to the type of funds, loans, plan-specific rules, and correct language. At PeacockQDROs, our experience ensures you don’t miss the details that can delay—or undo—your order.
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 Howell’s Heating & Air 401(k), 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.