Introduction
Dividing retirement assets during divorce is one of the most important—and often confusing—steps in the process. If your spouse has a retirement account through the Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is required to divide those benefits legally and properly. As QDRO attorneys who handle every step from start to finish, we at PeacockQDROs know how to make this process as smooth and accurate as possible.
In this article, we’ll walk through the specific considerations, steps, and strategies for dividing the Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan, including plan-specific quirks, common issues with 401(k)s, and how to protect your rights in divorce.
Plan-Specific Details for the Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan
Understanding the specifics of the plan involved is key to preparing a QDRO that will be accepted by the plan administrator. Here’s what we know about the Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan:
- Plan Name: Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan
- Sponsor: Fram group operations LLC
- Sponsor Address: 127 PUBLIC SQ STE 5300
- Status: Active
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Industry: General Business
- EIN and Plan Number: Unknown (you must obtain this from plan documents or the sponsor)
- Participants: Unknown
- Assets under Management: Unknown
- Plan Year: Unknown to Unknown
- Effective Date: Unknown
This is a standard 401(k) benefit plan. That means a few things: both employee contributions and employer matches might be involved, there could be a vesting schedule affecting how much is actually available to a spouse, and loans or multiple contribution types (like Roth or traditional) may also factor in.
Why You Need a QDRO
A QDRO is the legal mechanism required to divide retirement plan benefits like those held in the Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan. Without a QDRO, you cannot legally assign plan assets from one spouse to another—even if your divorce judgment says you should.
In legal terms, the QDRO recognizes the alternate payee (usually the non-participant spouse) as having a right to receive a portion of the plan benefit. It’s the only document that instructs the plan administrator to act on the division.
Key Issues in Dividing a 401(k) Plan in Divorce
1. Employer vs. Employee Contributions
In most 401(k) plans, the participant contributes their own earnings, and the employer offers matching contributions. With the Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan, any division in divorce should specify whether the alternate payee is receiving:
- Just marital portion of employee contributions
- Employer contributions too, if vested
- Investment gains and losses on those contributions
Many divorcing couples forget to specify these details, which can cause delays or rejections from the plan.
2. Vesting Schedule
Most employer contributions are subject to a vesting schedule. So, it’s crucial to identify which portion of the employer match is actually available to divide. Any unvested funds at the time of divorce generally won’t be included in the settlement unless your local law or agreement states otherwise.
3. Existing Loan Balances
If the participant has a loan against their Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan balance, this must be addressed in the QDRO. The available balance is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the outstanding loan. The QDRO should clearly state whether:
- The loan balance is to be subtracted before dividing the account
- Division is based on the total account value regardless of loans
This issue trips people up all the time. A poorly worded QDRO could cause unexpected losses to one party.
4. Roth vs. Traditional 401(k)
Some participants may have both Roth and traditional subaccounts within a single 401(k). These accounts are treated differently for tax reasons, so your QDRO should designate whether the division applies to:
- Only traditional funds
- Only Roth funds
- Both accounts proportionally
If your order is not clear, the plan may delay implementation—or divide only part of the account, leading to disputes and potential court returns.
Drafting a QDRO for the Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan
Get the Plan’s Guidelines
The first step is to request a copy of the plan’s QDRO procedures and a sample order, if available, from Fram group operations LLC. This helps ensure your order meets the plan administrator’s technical requirements and format expectations.
Include Required Details
A valid QDRO for the Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan must include:
- Full name and last known address of the participant and alternate payee
- The name of the plan (Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan)
- Exact dollar amount or percentage to be awarded
- Dates to determine marital portion (e.g., date of separation, date of divorce)
- Treatment of loans, gains/losses, and different subaccount types
- Clear instruction for direct rollover, if applicable
What Sets PeacockQDROs Apart
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve handled thousands of QDROs from beginning to end. That means we don’t just prepare the paperwork and leave you guessing what to do next. We:
- Draft your QDRO based on your agreement or judgment
- Submit it for preapproval with the plan (if they offer it)
- File the QDRO with the court
- Send the certified QDRO to the plan administrator for processing
- Follow up until your benefits are divided
This full-service approach sets us apart from generic document-prep companies. We maintain near-perfect reviews because we care about doing things right—from the fine print to the final payment.
To avoid the most common pitfalls, check out our article on common QDRO mistakes.
Timelines and Expectations
Many people ask how long a QDRO takes. The answer depends on several factors like court processing speed, plan complexity, and whether the parties are cooperating. Check out our guide on the five timing factors so you know what to expect.
Conclusion
The Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings Plan presents typical 401(k)-related challenges in divorce: vesting schedules, loan balances, multiple account types, and employer matching considerations. The key to protecting your share of this benefit is a carefully drafted and properly processed QDRO.
Don’t risk a do-it-yourself document, or settling for someone who just drafts and disappears. At PeacockQDROs, we manage the entire process—from drafting to final payout.
Special State Call to Action
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 Fram Group Employee 401(k) Savings 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.