Introduction
When a marriage ends, dividing retirement assets can be one of the most complicated and sensitive parts of the divorce process. If you or your spouse participates in the Msi 401(k) Plan—sponsored by Meauxmentum strategies and investments, LLC—you’ll need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to divide that account legally and properly.
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve handled 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 (when applicable), court filing, submission, and follow-up with the plan administrator. That’s what sets us apart. Here’s everything you need to know about dividing the Msi 401(k) Plan during divorce using a QDRO.
Plan-Specific Details for the Msi 401(k) Plan
- Plan Name: Msi 401(k) Plan
- Sponsor: Meauxmentum strategies and investments, LLC
- Address: 20250722201258NAL0008189970001, 2024-01-01
- EIN: Unknown
- Plan Number: Unknown
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Participants: Unknown
- Plan Year: Unknown to Unknown
- Effective Date: Unknown
- Status: Active
- Assets: Unknown
Even with some missing data like the EIN or plan number, a QDRO is still possible—we often help clients identify and verify these missing elements as part of our full-service offering.
What is a QDRO?
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a court order that allows retirement assets to be divided between a plan participant and their former spouse (also called the “alternate payee”) without tax penalties. With a proper QDRO in place, the recipient spouse can receive part of the retirement benefits from the Msi 401(k) Plan under federal law.
Dividing 401(k) Assets in Divorce
Because the Msi 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan, handling the division correctly involves more than just “splitting” the balance. Here are key considerations:
Employee vs. Employer Contributions
Plans like the Msi 401(k) Plan may include both employee and employer contributions. While employee deferrals are usually 100% vested, employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule. It’s critical to determine:
- What portion of the account is fully vested as of the date of separation or divorce
- Which contributions are divisible under the QDRO
If Meauxmentum strategies and investments, LLC uses a graded vesting schedule, some employer contributions may be forfeited unless fully vested by the time of division. That directly impacts how much the alternate payee receives.
Unvested Funds
If a participant hasn’t met the plan’s vesting requirements—for example, needing five years of service to keep employer contributions—then only the vested portion can be awarded. A good QDRO will include language that tracks vesting as of a certain date (such as the date of divorce) or continues to vest a share over time, depending on your agreement or court order.
Loan Balances and Their Impact
Some participants borrow from their 401(k) accounts. If your Msi 401(k) Plan balance includes an active loan, what happens to it during a QDRO division matters:
- Loan balances typically reduce the account’s value when determining the marital share
- The QDRO can specify whether the alternate payee shares in the loan liability, or if it should be excluded
We recommend reviewing loan documentation as part of the QDRO process to avoid disputes about repayment responsibility.
Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Accounts
The Msi 401(k) Plan may include both pre-tax (traditional) and after-tax (Roth) contributions. It’s critical your QDRO reflects these account types accurately. Why?
- Awarding a share of Roth funds to the alternate payee helps preserve after-tax treatment
- Mistakenly treating Roth and traditional funds the same can create unintended tax consequences
The order should clearly state whether each account type is included, and how the division impacts them independently.
Addressing Common QDRO Mistakes
We’ve seen many QDROs fail because of simple, avoidable mistakes. When dividing plans like the Msi 401(k) Plan, here are pitfalls to look out for:
- Incorrect vesting assumption
- Omitting language on loans or account type (Roth vs. traditional)
- Leaving the EIN and plan number blank
- Failing to send the draft for plan administrator preapproval
We always submit for preapproval when the plan allows it, preventing costly rejections down the line.
Timing and Processing: How Long Will It Take?
QDRO timelines vary. Several factors affect how long it takes—from how fast your court issues the order to how quickly the Msi 401(k) Plan administrator reviews and processes the QDRO.
We’ve outlined the major timelines in this guide, but expect the process to take at least a few months. Our team keeps everything on track by handling each step—we don’t just hand you a document and wish you luck.
Why Work With PeacockQDROs?
At PeacockQDROs, we specialize in QDROs. This isn’t an add-on service for us—it’s all we do. More importantly, we do it right. We’ve processed thousands of QDROs from start to finish, including drafting, court filing, plan submission, and administrator follow-up.
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things correctly the first time. That means fewer delays, fewer mistakes, and more peace of mind during an already stressful time.
Visit our QDRO services page or reach out directly to get started.
What You’ll Need to Begin
To prepare a QDRO for the Msi 401(k) Plan, you’ll typically need:
- Names and contact information for both parties
- Marriage and divorce dates
- Social Security Numbers (provided securely)
- The exact plan name: “Msi 401(k) Plan”
- Plan sponsor name: “Meauxmentum strategies and investments, LLC”
- Plan number and EIN (we can help you identify this if it’s missing)
- A copy of the divorce judgment or property settlement agreement
Don’t Let Technicalities Cost You Money
Dividing something as important as the Msi 401(k) Plan requires attention to detail—and knowledge of how things really work behind the scenes. From vesting schedules to loan balances and Roth-designations, our attorneys understand how to write enforceable, accurate QDROs that will be accepted by the 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 Msi 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.