Dividing the Global Solutions Services 401(k) Plan in Divorce
When you’re going through a divorce, one of the most valuable marital assets can be a 401(k) plan like the Global Solutions Services 401(k) Plan. If either you or your spouse participated in this plan through employment at Global solutions services, LLC, you’ll need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to officially divide the account.
Without a QDRO, retirement plan administrators cannot legally pay out or transfer any portion of the 401(k) to the non-employee spouse. This is true regardless of your divorce decree or settlement agreement. The QDRO is what gives legal effect to that division under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve drafted and executed thousands of QDROs from start to finish—covering everything from initial drafting to court filing and final submission. That’s what makes us different. We don’t just give you a document—we get the job done.
Plan-Specific Details for the Global Solutions Services 401(k) Plan
Here’s what we currently know about the Global Solutions Services 401(k) Plan:
- Plan Name: Global Solutions Services 401(k) Plan
- Sponsor: Global solutions services, LLC
- Address: 20250718085834NAL0001381729001, 2024-01-01
- EIN: Unknown
- Plan Number: Unknown
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Participants: Unknown
- Plan Year: Unknown
- Effective Date: Unknown
- Status: Active
- Assets: Unknown
Because it’s an active 401(k) plan sponsored by a general business, you can expect standard features like salary deferrals, employer matching, possible vesting restrictions, and potentially both traditional and Roth contributions.
Why You Need a QDRO to Divide the Global Solutions Services 401(k) Plan
Federal law protects 401(k) plans under ERISA. That means the only way a retirement provider like Global solutions services, LLC can legally divide plan benefits in a divorce is if you have a court-approved QDRO.
This legal document needs to meet specific criteria to be accepted by the plan administrator. It also must meet IRS and ERISA rules. Plans managed by general business entities like Global solutions services, LLC often outsource administration to third-party recordkeepers (like Fidelity, Empower, etc.), and each has its own QDRO review process.
Key Provisions for Dividing a 401(k) Plan Like This One
Employee vs. Employer Contributions
With the Global Solutions Services 401(k) Plan, contributions typically include:
- Employee salary deferrals – usually 100% vested immediately
- Employer contributions (match, profit sharing) – may be subject to a vesting schedule
If your divorce order intends to split the entire balance, make sure the QDRO accounts for the fact that some employer contributions may not yet be vested. Unvested funds can be forfeited if the employee leaves their job before vesting is complete. A well-drafted QDRO can protect against these kinds of surprises.
Vesting Schedule and Forfeited Amounts
Employer contributions in this plan may be subject to a vesting schedule tied to years of service. If the QDRO awards a percentage of the full account value but the employee is not fully vested, the alternate payee (the spouse receiving the benefit) may end up with less than expected.
That’s why it’s critical to know:
- What portion of the account is employer-funded
- How much is vested at the date of division
We often include default language in QDROs that protects the alternate payee by dividing only the vested portion, or by setting the division date clearly so administrators apply the correct values.
Existing Loan Balances
If the participant has taken out a loan against their Global Solutions Services 401(k) Plan account, it must be accounted for in the QDRO. You can choose to:
- Include the outstanding loan in the divisible balance (treat it as if the cash is still in the account)
- Exclude the loan and divide only the net balance
Both choices have pros and cons. Including the loan increases the award amount but gives no cash. Excluding it lowers the alternate payee’s share. Clarify this in your QDRO or you may face delays or denials from the administrator.
Roth vs. Traditional Subaccounts
The Global Solutions Services 401(k) Plan may contain both pre-tax (traditional) and after-tax (Roth) contributions. These accounts must be addressed separately in the QDRO. The IRS prohibits converting between these account types after division.
A proper QDRO will spell out whether the division applies proportionally across both types or only to one. For example, you don’t want the Roth portion divided if you’re only entitled to the traditional balance. Be specific, or risk tax consequences and administrative confusion.
QDRO Requirements Unique to 401(k) Plans
Compared to pensions, 401(k) plan QDROs are typically faster to process, but they still carry complexity—especially in plans with various subaccounts, loan balances, and employer matches.
Some special challenges with the Global Solutions Services 401(k) Plan may include:
- Unknown plan number and EIN—these must be correctly identified when preparing a QDRO
- Differing administrator rules on valuation dates and processing timelines
- Lack of transparency about vesting schedules unless specifically requested
What Happens After the QDRO Is Approved?
Once the QDRO is drafted, pre-approved by the administrator (if they offer a preapproval process), and signed by the judge, it must be sent to the plan administrator (or their recordkeeper) for final implementation.
Transfers usually happen via rollover or direct transfer, depending on how the plan is structured. The alternate payee will often receive instructions on how to set up their own account or roll the funds into an IRA to avoid taxes and penalties.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
401(k) QDROs can go wrong in many ways. Some of the most common errors include:
- Failing to specify whether loan balances are included or excluded
- Ignoring unvested employer contributions and over-awarding alternate payee
- Not distinguishing between Roth and traditional balances
- Using vague division dates without reference to statements
We outline more of these problems in our post on common QDRO mistakes. It’s worth reading if you want to avoid delays, rejections, or disputes down the road.
How Long Does a QDRO Take?
Timeframes vary by court and plan administrator but expect several weeks to a few months. See our guide on what determines how long a QDRO takes for a breakdown of all the moving parts.
Why Choose PeacockQDROs?
We aren’t just QDRO drafters—we’re full-service professionals. 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. Start learning more about the QDRO process on our QDRO resources page or contact us directly.
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 Global Solutions Services 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.