A QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) is the only legal way to divide a 401(k) or pension in divorce without triggering taxes or the 10% early withdrawal penalty.
divviQDRO is $500 flat — a QDRO specialist drafts the order, walks you through getting it signed and sent to the plan administrator, and revises it until the plan accepts. You can start today, whether or not divvi handled your divorce.
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order is a separate court order that tells a retirement plan how to divide an account between divorcing spouses. You need one to split most employer plans like a 401(k) or pension without triggering taxes or early-withdrawal penalties.
For employer-sponsored plans (401(k), 403(b), pensions), yes, the divorce decree alone isn't enough; the plan requires a QDRO. IRAs are different and can usually be divided by transfer without a QDRO.
After the signed QDRO reaches the plan administrator, setting up the alternate payee's share typically takes about 30 to 90 days, depending on the plan.
Done correctly, a QDRO transfer is not a taxable event, the receiving spouse rolls their share into their own retirement account. Taxes apply later when funds are actually withdrawn. This is not tax advice.