Introduction
Dividing retirement assets is one of the most critical—and misunderstood—parts of a divorce. If you or your spouse participated in the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan, you’ll likely need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to properly divide the account. Like many 401(k) plans, this one comes with specific terms that can affect how assets are split, including vesting schedules, plan loans, and Roth vs. traditional balances. At PeacockQDROs, we’ve helped thousands of clients complete QDROs from start to finish, and we know what it takes to get your share safely and correctly divided.
What Is a QDRO?
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO, is a legal order drafted under state domestic relations law that instructs a retirement plan to pay a portion of the benefits to someone other than the participant—usually the ex-spouse. Without a QDRO, the plan administrator of the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan cannot legally divide the account, even if your divorce decree says you’re entitled to a portion.
Plan-Specific Details for the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan
- Plan Name: J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan
- Sponsor: J.b. hunt transport services, Inc. employee retirement plan
- Address: 20250819100612NAL0001082595001
- Active Period: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
- Plan Established: 1980-10-01
- EIN and Plan Number: Unknown (must be confirmed by plan administrator)
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Corporation
- Participants: Unknown
- Plan Year: Unknown to Unknown
- Status: Active
- Assets: Unknown
Because this plan is a 401(k), divorcing parties must pay close attention to the unique features that often impact QDRO divisions.
Dividing Contributions in the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan
Employee vs. Employer Contributions
401(k) plans like the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan generally include both employee deferrals and employer matching or profit-sharing contributions. A QDRO must clearly specify whether the alternate payee—often the non-employee spouse—is receiving a share of just the employee contributions or the entire account, including matching funds.
Another issue that often arises is contribution timing. For instance, if the QDRO covers the marriage period only, and an employee made post-separation contributions, those amounts may be excluded from division. Precise language in the QDRO avoids confusion and costly disputes.
Vesting and Forfeited Amounts
Employer contributions are usually subject to a vesting schedule. If your spouse hadn’t completed the required years of service with J.b. hunt transport services, Inc. employee retirement plan by the time of divorce, you may not be entitled to the full employer match.
Unvested amounts are not legally available to divide and will revert to the plan if the participant separates before full vesting. Make sure your QDRO accounts for this possibility in the division method.
Handling 401(k) Loans in Divorce
Many 401(k) participants borrow against their accounts. If the participant had an outstanding loan in the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan, this reduces the account value available for division. Whether or not loan balances are taken into account depends on the wording of the QDRO and local divorce law.
For example, if a participant has a $50,000 account with a $10,000 loan, is the alternate payee receiving 50% of $50,000 or 50% of $40,000? These nuances must be clearly spelled out in the order or else you risk a rejected order or incorrect payout.
Traditional vs. Roth Contributions
This plan may contain both traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) contributions. These account types are treated differently for tax purposes, so it’s critical that your QDRO specifies how each account type should be divided.
If the alternate payee is receiving a portion of both, they’ll retain the specific tax character of each type. For example, Roth funds can generally be rolled into a Roth IRA without taxable consequences. If this distinction isn’t properly accounted for, you could face avoidable penalties or delays.
How the QDRO Process Works with This Plan
Step 1: Gather Plan Documentation
You’ll need a copy of the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan’s summary plan description (SPD), plan rules, and administrative procedures for QDROs. These documents are available through the Human Resources or Benefits department at J.b. hunt transport services, Inc. employee retirement plan.
Make sure you obtain the Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Plan Number, both of which are required for QDRO drafting. If unknown, request them in writing from the plan administrator.
Step 2: Draft the QDRO
A professionally written QDRO ensures that it meets federal ERISA guidelines and the specific requirements of the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan. This includes correct legal terms, the division date, methods of division (percentage vs. flat amount), and treatment of loans, Roth accounts, and vested interests.
At PeacockQDROs, we don’t just draft the document—we handle everything from pre-approval to final submission, courthouse filings included, so you don’t have to second-guess any step.
Step 3: Preapproval (If Allowed)
Some plans allow for preapproval of the QDRO before you file with the court. This step can save time and frustration by resolving issues before the judge signs anything. We always check if preapproval is available for the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan and take that route when it is.
Step 4: Filing and Execution
Once approved by the court, the signed QDRO must be submitted to the plan administrator for final implementation. Processing times vary—see how long a QDRO takes for more details.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We often correct QDROs that were either DIY or prepared without plan-specific knowledge. Here are a few common mistakes:
- Failing to account for outstanding loans
- Excluding unvested employer contributions incorrectly
- Not specifying Roth vs. traditional account division
- Omitting division dates or calculating from incorrect dates
- Leaving out required information like Plan Number or EIN
We cover many of these pitfalls on our page about common QDRO mistakes.
Why Work with 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.
Our clients appreciate the peace of mind they get knowing we handle it all. We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way.
Start by reviewing our QDRO guide to see how we work and when you’re ready, get in touch for help specific to your case.
Conclusion
When it comes to dividing a 401(k) plan like the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan, the details matter. From loan balances to Roth contributions to vesting schedules, each element must be carefully addressed in your QDRO to avoid serious financial and legal consequences.
Don’t risk your share of this significant marital asset by using a one-size-fits-all approach. Trust the team at PeacockQDROs—we specialize in QDROs and understand the intricacies of the J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan.
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 J.b. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee 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.