Dividing the Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan During Divorce
Dividing retirement assets is one of the most technically challenging parts of any divorce settlement—especially when it comes to 401(k) plans like the Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, sponsored by Chalkboard distributors, LLC. If you’re going through a divorce and either you or your spouse has an interest in this plan, you’ll likely need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO).
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve successfully handled thousands of QDROs from start to finish. That means we don’t just draft the order—we also pre-approve it when necessary, file it with the court, and follow up with the plan administrator until funds are paid out. That extra step matters, because mistakes or delays in the QDRO process can cost you time and money.
What is a QDRO and Why It Matters
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order is a court order that tells a retirement plan administrator to divide a participant’s benefits in accordance with a divorce. Without a valid QDRO, the Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan cannot legally pay out benefits to the non-employee spouse (also called the “alternate payee”).
This order outlines how much of the account each party receives and how the plan should handle special issues like loans, Roth contributions, and unvested employer contributions. Given how complex 401(k) plans can be, it’s critical to get the order right the first time.
Plan-Specific Details for the Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
- Plan Name: Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
- Sponsor: Chalkboard distributors, LLC
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Address: 20250603114853NAL0028475234001, 2024-01-01
- Status: Active
- EIN: Unknown (will be required for QDRO)
- Plan Number: Unknown (will be required for QDRO)
- Participants: Unknown
- Plan Year: Unknown to Unknown
- Effective Date: Unknown
- Total Assets: Unknown
If you are dividing this specific plan, you’ll need to obtain the plan number and EIN, which are both required to correctly complete a QDRO. This information can usually be found on the participant’s annual plan statement or by contacting the plan administrator directly.
Common 401(k) Issues in Divorce: What Makes the QDRO for This Plan Tricky
Employee and Employer Contributions
The Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan likely includes both employee deferrals and employer contributions. While employee deferrals are always 100% vested, employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule. That means if contributions haven’t fully vested by the date of divorce, the alternate payee may not receive a share of the full account balance.
Always clarify the vesting schedule in your marital settlement agreement. If left unaddressed, it may result in disputes when the plan administrator applies the QDRO.
Vested vs. Unvested Balances
401(k) plans typically place unvested employer contributions in a forfeiture account when the employee leaves or doesn’t meet the full vesting schedule. A properly drafted QDRO must indicate whether only the vested balance should be divided or whether unvested amounts are to be included as they vest.
Loan Balances
If the participant has an outstanding loan against their Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan at the time of divorce, the QDRO must specify whether:
- The loan balance should be subtracted before division
- The alternate payee’s share includes or excludes the loan
Ignoring loan treatment can cause significant disparities. Many plan administrators will default to reducing both parties’ shares if the QDRO is unclear.
Roth vs. Traditional Contributions
Some 401(k) plans—including the Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan—may allow for both traditional pre-tax contributions and Roth post-tax contributions. These distinctions matter because Roth funds have different tax treatment when distributed.
The QDRO must therefore state whether each type of account should be divided proportionally or treated separately. Without this clarification, the plan administrator might interpret it in a way that doesn’t match the parties’ intent.
The QDRO Process—What You Can Expect
Here’s how we handle QDROs for plans like the Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan at PeacockQDROs:
- We gather plan information (including sponsor name, plan number, EIN).
- We review the settlement agreement to determine how the benefits should be divided.
- We draft the QDRO using plan-specific language that plan administrators prefer.
- If the plan allows it, we seek preapproval to ensure there are no issues before filing in court.
- We file the order with the appropriate court and submit a certified copy to the plan.
- We follow up until the order is fully processed and benefits are distributed properly.
This full-service model saves clients time and reduces anxiety over whether the order will actually be accepted by the plan administrator.
To learn common pitfalls to avoid, check out our article on common QDRO mistakes.
QDRO Timing: How Long Will It Take?
Timing a QDRO correctly is crucial. We often get cases where spouses have been awarded benefits a decade ago, but no one ever followed through with the order. That means delays in accessing funds—and potential loss of value due to market changes.
Several factors affect how long it will take to get your QDRO done. We break it down in this article: 5 factors that determine how long it takes.
Why Work with PeacockQDROs?
At PeacockQDROs, we’re not just QDRO drafters—we’re full-service providers. We handle the entire process from start to finish, including:
- Drafting a legally compliant and plan-acceptable order
- Routing it through preapproval (when allowed by the plan)
- Filing it with the divorce court
- Submitting certified orders to the plan administrator
- Following up until benefits are allocated properly
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way. Unlike generic legal form services, we focus solely on QDROs and related retirement division matters. Learn more about our process at PeacockQDROs QDRO Services.
Final Tips for Dividing the Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
- Get a copy of the plan statement to locate the current balance, account types, and loan status.
- Check the marital settlement agreement—see if it addresses vesting, loans, or Roth accounts.
- Find out the plan number and EIN—this is required for your QDRO to be processed.
- Clarify the division method: flat dollar amount, percentage, or all marital interest up to a certain date.
- Work with pros—a mistake here could delay your benefits for months or even years.
Need Help? We’re Here
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 Prime Wine and Spirits 401(k) Profit Sharing 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.