There is a moment in every job change where somebody at a call center asks a question that sounds administrative and is actually the most expensive question of the entire conversation.
"And how would you like that paid out?"
Answer it one way and nothing happens. No tax, no forms that matter, no deadlines.
Answer it the other way and 20 percent of your retirement account is withheld on the spot, a 60 day clock starts, and you have to produce cash you do not have to avoid a tax bill.
Same money. Same destination. Two completely different outcomes based on a single procedural choice.