Before getting divorced in Connecticut, you and your ex-partner must complete a financial affidavit. The court requires this document to figure out how much child or spousal support you might be entitled to.
Depending on your circumstances, a financial affidavit could take hours to fill in and require details from pay stubs, bank accounts, and tax returns. To be sure that nothing is missed, it’s a good idea to have a Connecticut divorce attorney help you prepare this paperwork.
Learn more about financial affidavits in Connecticut divorces below.
Financial Affidavits in Connecticut, Explained
Each state has different rules for completing a financial affidavit in a divorce case. Here in Connecticut, you need to fill out:
- Form JD-FM-6-SHORT if your gross annual income and net assets are less than $75,000
- Form JD-FM-6-LONG if your gross annual income and net assets are more than $75,000
You can download these forms from the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s website.
Unless you filed a joint federal or state tax return, in which you combine your annual income with that of your spouse’s, each party in a divorce must fill out a separate affidavit. That means you and your partner might fill out different forms (JD-FM-6-SHORT or JD-FM-6-LONG) depending on your individual income and assets.
Whichever form you fill out, you certify that the information provided is true. You then take your completed affidavit to a notary and sign and date it in front of them. After the notary signs the form, which confirms they witnessed your signature, you file it with the court. Finally, the court will review your affidavit during your final hearing and decide whether to award spousal or child support to you or your ex-partner.
What Information Do You Provide on a Financial Affidavit in a Connecticut Divorce?
You must list your income, expenses, assets, and debts on your financial affidavit. Connecticut’s court system requires you to provide this information on a weekly basis, so you will need to record how much money you receive and how much you spend every week. Calculating your income and expenses on a monthly or yearly basis will not satisfy this requirement.
Filling out an affidavit can be challenging because the form asks for much more than just your salary and mortgage payments. In fact, the court expects you to list information about bank accounts; motor vehicles; life and disability policies; retirement plans; stocks; bonds; and mutual funds. Breaking down your expenditures so the court can see how much money you spend each week might involve going through previous bank statements, receipts, and other documents, which can be a complicated process.
Even if you have a relatively simple financial situation, filling out a financial affidavit in Connecticut can be stressful, especially if you need to obtain information from banks, credit card companies, and tax authorities.
Why You Should Provide Accurate Information on Your Financial Affidavit
You might think it’s okay to estimate your income, expenses, debts, and assets on your financial affidavit. However, putting inaccurate financial details on this form is a bad idea because you swear an oath that the information you provide is correct.
The court may issue a penalty for perjury if you lie on your form or don’t give enough information. That could mean you pay a fine or go to jail. Lying or providing inaccurate information on an affidavit could also impact the amount of spousal or child support you are entitled to.
While the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s website provides in-depth information for filling in a financial affidavit, including a video tutorial, you might still find this process confusing. If math is not your strong suit or you don’t have the time or resources to complete this paperwork, a divorce attorney can help in a variety of ways.
Benefits of Using a Connecticut Divorce Attorney to Help Complete Your Affidavit
A reputable divorce attorney in Connecticut can help you fill in your affidavit by explaining what information you need to provide and ensuring you list accurate details about your financial situation. This typically reduces the amount of time it takes to complete the paperwork and eliminates the possibility of perjury penalties.
Rich Rochlin offers a helping hand when preparing your financial affidavit and can assist you with other aspects of your divorce. This award-winning family law firm will also address issues with alimony, child custody, child support, and divorce and taxes. You’ll receive the legal support you need at this difficult time to better navigate Connecticut’s complicated court system.
Final Word
You must fill in a financial affidavit — either Form JD-FM-6-SHORT or Form JD-FM-6-LONG, depending on your gross annual income and net assets — when getting divorced in Connecticut. This paperwork details your financial affairs, allowing the court to determine spousal and child support. While completing this document can be challenging, working with an experienced Connecticut divorce lawyer will provide the support you need.
Call (860) 357-9158 to learn more about completing your financial affidavit in a Connecticut divorce.
