In order to divide qualified retirement assets, such as a 401(k), profit sharing plan, or defined benefit plan, a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) will be a necessary document. This article explains the tax implications when such a division is made improperly without a QDRO. On the other hand, QDROs are not used to divide an IRA, whether a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, or Simple IRA. Instead, the divorce decree must specifically lay out the terms for such a division.
