Introduction
Dividing retirement assets is one of the most important—and often most misunderstood—parts of a divorce. If you or your spouse has savings in the The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan, you’ll need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to divide those funds legally. Whether you’re the plan participant or the alternate payee (commonly the ex-spouse), it’s critical to understand how this specific plan works and what a QDRO needs to address.
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve completed thousands of QDROs from start to finish. That means we don’t just draft an order and send you on your way. We assist throughout the process—drafting, court filing, submission, preapproval (if required), and follow-up with plan administrators. That’s how we do things the right way. If you’re dealing with the The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan in your divorce, we’re here to help.
Plan-Specific Details for the The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan
- Plan Name: The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan
- Sponsor: The townshend group, LLC
- Address: 20250714121801NAL0001456880001
- Plan Dates: 2018-01-01 to 2024-12-31
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Industry: General Business
- Status: Active
- Plan Number: Unknown (must be obtained for QDRO filing)
- EIN: Unknown (must be documented for QDRO submission)
If you’re preparing a QDRO for this plan, you’ll need both the plan number and EIN—these are required when submitting your order to both the court and the plan administrator. We can help you retrieve this information if needed.
Why You Need a QDRO for the The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan
Federal law requires a QDRO in order to divide qualified retirement plans like a 401(k), including the The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan. Without one, the Plan cannot disburse funds to a non-employee spouse. A divorce decree, by itself, is not enough. The QDRO legally instructs the plan administrator on how to divide the benefit and who gets what.
Key Considerations in Dividing a 401(k) via QDRO
1. Employee and Employer Contributions
When dividing The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan, you’ll want to consider how both employee salary deferrals and any employer matching contributions are handled. This Plan likely includes pre-tax employee contributions and employer matches, which may or may not be fully vested. Your QDRO can specify a division that includes all contributions earned during the marriage or just a portion.
2. Vesting Schedules
Vesting refers to the portion of employer contributions the employee legally owns. The The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan is a business-sponsored plan, and it almost certainly includes a vesting schedule for employer contributions. If the employee spouse hasn’t worked long enough with The townshend group, LLC to fully vest, a portion of those employer contributions may be forfeited—meaning they can’t be divided between spouses. Your QDRO should lay this out clearly to avoid confusion later.
3. Loans Within the 401(k) Plan
If there’s a current outstanding loan against the account, the QDRO must address how that loan affects the division. Does the alternate payee share in the remaining balance, or is that deducted from the total amount used to calculate each spouse’s share? That depends on your agreement, but the order must clearly spell it out. Failure to do so is one of the most common QDRO mistakes.
4. Roth vs. Traditional Account Balances
If the The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan includes both Roth and Traditional 401(k) balances, your QDRO should clarify each one. Roth accounts are post-tax, while traditional accounts are pre-tax. That tax distinction can affect the overall value of each type and should be a consideration in your division strategy. Treating them equally in a split may not be fair unless the tax impact is the same for both spouses.
Drafting Strategies Specific to the The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan
As a plan sponsored by a private business entity in the general business sector, the The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan is likely administered by a third-party recordkeeper such as Fidelity, Empower, Vanguard, or Principal. Each of these administrators has its own required QDRO format.
Here are some drafting strategies:
- Divide the account using a formula (e.g., “50% of the account balance as of date of separation”) to allow for easier administration.
- Include explicit language about whether gains or losses should be included between the division date and the date of distribution.
- Specify whether the alternate payee will receive a separate account or a direct distribution, and any required tax withholding options.
- Include language that allows the alternate payee to roll over received funds into an IRA or other qualified plan to defer taxes.
How Long Will the QDRO Process Take?
If you’re wondering how long it will take to get through all of this, know that it depends on several factors: court backlog, plan administrator processing times, and whether you use a professional to manage it. We’ve outlined the 5 main factors that determine QDRO turnaround time here.
Why Work With PeacockQDROs?
Trying to figure out a QDRO on your own or working with a firm that only drafts the document can cause delays and costly mistakes. That’s why thousands of people have chosen PeacockQDROs. We don’t just write the QDRO—we manage the entire process from beginning to end. That includes working directly with the plan administrator of the The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan, handling preapproval if required, managing court filing, and confirming acceptance.
We also take pride in maintaining near-perfect reviews, and we’ve earned a reputation for getting it done right the first time.
Required Documents to Begin Your QDRO
To begin preparing a QDRO for the The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan, you’ll likely need:
- The name and contact information of the Plan Sponsor (The townshend group, LLC)
- The Plan Number (which is currently listed as “Unknown” and must be retrieved)
- The Plan’s EIN (which must also be retrieved for submission)
- Most recent plan account statements
- A copy of the final divorce judgment and marital settlement agreement
Not sure how to get the Plan Number or EIN? We can help with that. Contact us and we’ll assist you in locating and documenting what’s necessary to move forward.
Next Steps
Getting your share of retirement benefits through a QDRO doesn’t need to be an uphill battle—especially when it involves a plan with potential complexities like unvested contributions, loan balances, and account type distinctions. The The Townshend Group 401(k) Plan requires a clear, correctly formatted QDRO to avoid costly delays or denials.
If you’re looking for expert-level help, we’re here. Visit our QDRO page to learn more, or reach out to us directly if you’re ready to get started.
State-Specific 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 The Townshend Group 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.