Introduction: Why QDROs Matter in Divorce
Divorce often involves dividing marital assets, and retirement accounts like 401(k)s are frequently among the most valuable assets to split. When a retirement account is in just one spouse’s name, the other spouse may still have a legal right to a portion of it. To officially divide that account, a qualified domestic relations order—or QDRO—is required.
This article focuses on dividing the Adventure Time Retirement Plan, sponsored by Tuller Corp.. If you or your spouse participate in this 401(k) plan and you’re going through a divorce, you need to understand how QDROs work and what to watch out for. At PeacockQDROs, we’ve helped thousands of divorcing clients handle QDROs from drafting to final transfer—and we’re here to help you, too.
Plan-Specific Details for the Adventure Time Retirement Plan
Before filing a QDRO, it’s important to understand the details of the plan you’re dividing. Here are the specifics for the Adventure Time Retirement Plan:
- Plan Name: Adventure Time Retirement Plan
- Sponsor: Tuller Corp..
- Type: 401(k) Plan
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Industry: General Business
- Status: Active
- Effective Date: Unknown
- Plan Year: Unknown to Unknown
- Assets: Unknown
- Participants: Unknown
- Plan Number: Unknown (must be obtained for QDRO)
- EIN: Unknown (required for QDRO submission)
- Plan Address: 20250626142536NAL0005192643001, 2024-01-01
Even though some key information is unavailable up front—such as the Plan Number and EIN—this data can typically be obtained through the plan administrator or during divorce discovery. These elements must be included in a valid QDRO.
How 401(k) Divisions Work Through a QDRO
For a 401(k)-type plan like the Adventure Time Retirement Plan, a QDRO directs the plan administrator to transfer a portion of the participant’s balance to the alternate payee (usually the former spouse). Here are the key elements that need to be considered:
1. Contribution Division
With a 401(k), both employees and employers may contribute. In divorce, both types of contributions are up for division—though the treatment might differ:
- Employee contributions are always available for division since they’re immediately vested.
- Employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule. If the participant is not fully vested, only the vested portion can be divided in the QDRO.
2. Understanding Vesting Schedules
401(k) plans often have time-based vesting schedules for employer contributions. This means that not all employer contributions belong to the participant until certain employment milestones are met.
If a portion of employer contributions is unvested—and therefore forfeitable—the QDRO must accurately state how to handle these amounts. Most plans will not transfer unvested amounts, so it’s critical to know the participant’s vesting percentage on the date being used for division.
3. Loan Balances and Repayments
Another common issue is when the participant has an outstanding loan against the 401(k) balance. The QDRO needs to address whether loan balances reduce the divisible account total. Often, the courts treat the outstanding loan as part of the marital property—just like cash—so you need to decide if the alternate payee should receive a share of the balance including or excluding the loan.
4. Traditional vs. Roth Accounts
The Adventure Time Retirement Plan may include both pre-tax (traditional) and after-tax (Roth) contribution accounts. Each type must be handled separately during division:
- Traditional 401(k): Distributions are taxed when withdrawn by the alternate payee.
- Roth 401(k): No tax at the time of withdrawal if IRS rules are satisfied.
A proper QDRO distinguishes between the two and divides them accordingly to avoid IRS penalties and keep tax consequences predictable for both parties.
Filing the QDRO: The Process
Here’s how to approach drafting and processing a QDRO for the Adventure Time Retirement Plan:
Step 1: Get the Plan’s QDRO Procedures
Most 401(k) plans—including those sponsored by a general business entity like Tuller Corp..—have established QDRO procedures and sample language. You or your attorney should request these from the plan administrator. This helps ensure that the QDRO you submit won’t be rejected for technical issues.
Step 2: Gather Documentation
You’ll need several pieces of information to draft a QDRO for the Adventure Time Retirement Plan:
- Participant’s full legal name and last known address
- Alternate payee’s full legal name and address
- Participant’s Social Security Number (last four digits in the order)
- Plan Name: Adventure Time Retirement Plan
- Plan Number and EIN (must be obtained if unknown)
Step 3: Draft the Order
The order must be specifically tailored to the terms of the Adventure Time Retirement Plan and the type of benefits it provides. It should specify:
- The percentage or flat dollar amount awarded
- The valuation date (often the separation date or divorce filing date)
- How investment gains or losses should apply to the award
- Whether loans will be included or excluded
- Separate treatment of Roth and traditional balances
Step 4: Submit for Preapproval (if applicable)
If the plan offers preapproval, take advantage of it. This lets you fix issues before filing the QDRO with the court. Not all plans allow this, but it’s worth checking.
Step 5: File with the Court and Send to the Plan
Once approved and signed by the judge, the QDRO is submitted to the plan administrator. At PeacockQDROs, we don’t stop at drafting—we handle the court filing, plan submission, and follow-up until the division is complete.
Common Mistakes in Adventure Time Retirement Plan QDROs
Here are mistakes we commonly see in QDROs for plans like the Adventure Time Retirement Plan:
- Failing to request the plan’s QDRO procedures before drafting
- Ignoring the effect of outstanding loans
- Using vague division language (e.g. “50% of account” without clear dates)
- Combining Roth and traditional balances instead of separating them
- Expecting division of unvested employer contributions
Want to avoid these and other common pitfalls? Check out our guide on common QDRO mistakes here.
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. For more information on our services, visit our QDRO services page.
How Long Will It Take to Divide the Adventure Time Retirement Plan?
This depends on multiple factors, including the plan’s review process, your local court’s timeline, and how quickly you act. To understand these variables, see our helpful guide on how long QDROs take.
Conclusion
Dividing a 401(k) plan like the Adventure Time Retirement Plan requires more than just a form—you need a QDRO that meets legal, procedural, and plan-specific requirements. With its potential Roth components, vesting schedules, and loan issues, this type of plan demands focused attention in divorce.
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 Adventure Time Retirement 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.