Introduction
If you’re going through a divorce and either you or your spouse participates in the Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan, you’ll need to address how to divide those retirement assets. This isn’t as simple as splitting a bank account. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is required to legally and accurately divide a 401(k) plan during divorce. At PeacockQDROs, we’ve handled thousands of QDROs from start to finish—and we know the details matter. This article covers what you need to know to divide the Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan the right way.
Plan-Specific Details for the Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan
- Plan Name: Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan
- Sponsor: Architectural concepts, LLC
- Plan Address: 20250717123325NAL0000446738001, 2024-01-01
- Employer Identification Number (EIN): Unknown (required for QDRO submission)
- Plan Number: Unknown (required for QDRO submission)
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Number of Participants: Unknown
- Plan Year: Unknown to Unknown
- Effective Date: Unknown
- Status: Active
- Total Plan Assets: Unknown
For your QDRO to be processed by Architectural concepts, LLC’s plan administrator, accurate and complete info like EIN and plan number will be required. If you don’t have those details, a formal plan request or subpoena may be necessary.
Why 401(k) Plans Require Special Attention in Divorce
Unlike pensions or other retirement benefits, 401(k) plans often include employee contributions, employer matches, Roth accounts, and outstanding loans. Each component must be addressed correctly in a QDRO—or you risk delays, rejection, or unequal division.
Employee and Employer Contributions
The Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan likely includes both employee salary deferrals and employer contributions. Employee contributions are always 100% vested immediately, but matching or profit-sharing contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule. This can affect how much the alternate payee (usually the non-employee spouse) is entitled to receive.
It’s critical to confirm what portion of the employer contributions are vested as of the QDRO cut-off date. Unvested funds cannot be awarded through a QDRO and will typically revert to the employee spouse if they are forfeited.
Vesting Schedules and Forfeitures
The QDRO must state clearly that it only applies to vested balances as of a specific date—usually the date of divorce or separation. If the employee hasn’t been with Architectural concepts, LLC long enough to fully vest in employer contributions, the alternate payee may receive less than expected. This is one of the most common mistakes we see in DIY or ill-prepared QDROs. For help avoiding these pitfalls, review our article Common QDRO Mistakes.
Loan Balances and Repayment
If the employee took a loan from the Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan, it reduces the account value available to be divided. Two important questions should be answered:
- Will the alternate payee share in the portion of the account after deducting the outstanding loan?
- Is the alternate payee responsible for a share of the debt? (Usually not.)
Generally, QDROs do not assign loan debt to the alternate payee. However, it’s critical for the order to clarify whether the division is based on the gross or net account balance. Ambiguity can lead to disputes and processing delays.
Roth vs. Traditional Accounts
The Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan may hold both traditional pre-tax contributions and Roth after-tax funds. A well-drafted QDRO should specify whether the alternate payee’s award should match the tax character of the original investment. This ensures the alternate payee doesn’t end up with a surprise tax bill—or miss out on Roth benefits they’re entitled to.
At PeacockQDROs, we always check the 401(k) statement to identify account types and include exact tax treatment language in the QDRO.
Key Steps to Dividing the Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan
Step 1: Obtain Plan Information
You’ll need the plan’s full name (Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan), employer name (Architectural concepts, LLC), plan number, EIN, and current statements. Missing these details results in rejected QDROs. If you’re missing anything, the plan administrator may provide it upon formal request or subpoena.
Step 2: Draft a Precise QDRO
The QDRO must follow both ERISA and the plan’s specific rules. No two 401(k) plans use the exact same procedures. Language that works for one plan might be rejected by another. Our job at PeacockQDROs is to craft a plan-compliant QDRO tailored to the terms of the Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan.
Step 3: Plan Preapproval (If Applicable)
Some plans allow for preapproval before court filing. If the Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan does, we’ll handle all communication with the plan to ensure your QDRO meets their standards.
Step 4: Court Approval and Filing
Once the drafting is complete, the QDRO needs to be filed in the same court where your divorce was processed. We handle this for you—no courthouse runs or confusing paperwork. If you want to learn about how long this process can take, check out our breakdown on timelines.
Step 5: Submit QDRO to Plan and Confirm Acceptance
This final step is where many people get stuck. But we don’t stop at drafting—we handle this for you. We submit the signed and certified QDRO directly to the plan administrator of the Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan, confirm it has been accepted, and follow up until it’s processed.
Common Pitfalls in Dividing 401(k) Plans
- Failing to specify account types (Roth vs. pre-tax)
- Omitting language about loan balances or assuming they’ll be “split”
- Overlooking plan-specific rules for valuation dates or implementation
- Using outdated or incorrect plan names (make sure it’s always Architectural Concepts 401(k) Plan!)
- Ignoring the impact of unvested contributions
These kinds of mistakes often lead to delays of weeks—or even months. Working with a dedicated QDRO expert protects you from those surprises.
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—because retirement funds are too important to get wrong.
Learn more about our services and how we help protect your share of 401(k) benefits by visiting our QDRO resource center.
Have Questions About 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 Architectural Concepts 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.