Financial Disclosure Packet: Line‑by‑Line Guide

Complete the net‑worth forms once—avoid costly do‑overs 🫶

Purpose: Walk you through each line of a typical court‑required Financial Affidavit / Statement of Net Worth—income, expenses, assets, debts—so your packet is accurate, judge‑ready, and less likely to be challenged.

Time Commitment • About 30 minutes to read, plus 2–3 hours to fill, verify, and copy documents.

What You’ll Need •  Last three pay stubs, most recent tax return, two months of bank and credit‑card statements, current balances for loans and retirement accounts, a quiet workspace, and your court’s blank financial‑statement form (download from clerk’s site).

Friendly Ground Rules

1. Agenda-Free Zone—Before, During, After
   Whether you’re weighing the idea of divorce, deep in the paperwork, or rebuilding life on the other side, we’re here to support your chosen path. No judgment, no hidden agenda.

2. Educational, Not Advice
   Everything you’ll read is for general education. It is not legal, financial, mental-health, or medical advice. Laws and circumstances differ by state, county, and family—always verify details with qualified professionals who know your facts.

3. Safety & Well-Being First
   If you feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or in crisis, please pause and reach out:
   • National DV Hotline (US) 1-800-799-7233
   • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) 988
   • 911 (or local emergency) for immediate danger

4. Every Journey Is Unique
   Divorce and healing are deeply personal. While we strive for accuracy and empathy, not every tip fits every situation. Keep what helps, adapt what might, and leave the rest.

5. Quick Calm Cue
   Feeling anxious as you read? Try the 5-5-5 Grounding Breath—inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5, exhale for 5. Repeat three times, then continue when you’re ready.

Packet Overview

Courts rely on your Financial Disclosure Packet to set temporary orders, negotiate settlements, and calculate support. A typical form has four main blocks:

1. Income (monthly or weekly)

2. Living Expenses (usually monthly)

3. Assets (current value)

4. Debts & Liabilities (outstanding balances)

Mini‑Win ➜ Filling it right the first time prevents supplemental filings that can add $300–$800 in attorney fees.

Income Section: Every Dollar In

• Line 1 — Gross Salary / Wages
  Use last pay stub × pay periods per year ÷ 12 for monthly figure.

• Line 2 — Overtime / Bonuses / Commissions
  Average the last 12 months; if none yet, write “0”.

• Line 3 — Self‑Employment Income
  Enter net profit (gross minus business expenses); attach last three P&L statements.

• Line 4 — Child‑Support Received
  Only from other relationships; not the children in this case.

• Line 5 — Alimony / Spousal Support Received

• Line 6 — Investment & Interest Income
  Dividends, interest, rental net profit.

• Line 7 — Other (gig work, tips, government benefits)

Coach Tip: Consistency = credibility. If numbers differ from tax returns, attach a short note explaining seasonal swings.

Living‑Expense Section: Reality Check vs. Guesswork

Track actual average over three months; courts spot round numbers like $1 000.

• Housing – Rent/mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA.

• Utilities – Gas, electric, water, trash, internet, cell.

• Food – Groceries and dining out (itemize if possible).

• Transportation – Car payment, fuel, insurance, transit passes.

• Kids’ Costs – Daycare, activities, school supplies.

• Health – Premiums, out‑of‑pocket meds.

• Debt Payments – Minimums only, list separately in debt section too.

• Personal / Misc. – Clothing, haircuts, subscriptions.

Mini‑Win ➜ Scan your banking app’s spending summary—copy real numbers, not hopes.

Assets Section: Snapshot of What You Own

List current fair‑market values, not purchase prices.

1. Cash & Bank Accounts – Checking, savings, PayPal, Venmo balance.

2. Investments – Brokerage, mutual funds, crypto (convert to USD at date of form).

3. Retirement – 401(k), IRA, pension present value.

4. Real Estate – Home, rental, land (Zillow screenshot acceptable as estimate).

5. Vehicles – Cars, motorcycles, boats (Kelley Blue Book private‑sale value).

6. Personal Property – Jewelry, art, collectibles over $500.

7. Business Interest – Ownership percentage × estimated value (attach valuation if available).

Attach supporting statements for each value; redact account numbers to last four digits.

Debts & Liabilities Section: What You Owe

• Mortgages & HELOCs – Current payoff.

• Auto Loans – Remaining balance.

• Student Loans – Principal outstanding.

• Credit Cards – Balance as of latest statement.

• Personal / Family Loans – Include promissory notes.

• Tax Arrears – IRS or state payment plans.

• Medical Debt – Unsecured balances.

List minimum required monthly payment beside each—courts use this for budget realism.

Attachments & Final Steps

1. Proof Packet – Staple or digitally merge PDFs of supporting docs in same order as the form.

2. Certification – Sign under penalty of perjury; unreadable signatures can delay filing.

3. Copy & Serve – File‑stamped originals for court, one copy for spouse, keep a copy in your cloud folder.

4. Update Reminder – Calendar a 90‑day check: courts often require updated disclosures before mediation.

Rule of Thumb: Courts favor clarity over perfect math—legible, organized, and honest beats flawless spreadsheets.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Guessing utilities instead of averaging—judges notice round numbers.

• Leaving out Venmo/CashApp balances—they’re still liquid cash.

• Over‑ or under‑valuing the car—use KBB mid‑range.

• Omitting crypto wallets—blockchain receipts are traceable.

• Forgetting 529 college funds—counted as asset for many states.

Take Two Actions Today

1. Download last three months of all bank and credit‑card statements into a folder named “Income & Expenses.”

2. Enter gross monthly income and actual housing cost on the form’s first two lines—momentum fuels completion.

Mini‑Win ➜ Even 10 percent done melts the intimidation factor by half.

Final Word

A complete, well‑documented financial packet becomes your shield—protecting you from accusations and costly delays. Tackle it line by line, attach proof, and file with confidence.

List clearly • Attach proof • forward is forward

— The navigatedivo Team