Why This Form Matters
Florida Form 12.902 — the Family Law Financial Affidavit — is the single most important document in any Florida divorce. It is not optional. Courts require it from both parties before they will issue any ruling on alimony, child support, or equitable distribution of marital property.
The form forces a complete, documented picture of your financial life: what you earn, what you spend, what you own, and what you owe. A judge uses it to divide assets fairly, calculate support obligations, and evaluate claims of financial hardship. Your attorney uses it to build strategy.
It cannot be waived. Even if both spouses agree on everything, both must complete and file a financial affidavit before the court will approve a final judgment.
Short Form vs. Long Form: Which Do You Use?
Florida has two versions of the financial affidavit. Which one you complete depends on your gross annual income.
- Fewer line items
- Faster to complete
- Appropriate for simpler finances
- Still requires documentation
- More detailed income breakdown
- Comprehensive expense categories
- Required for complex financial situations
- Preferred by courts in contested cases
Section-by-Section Walkthrough
The form is divided into four major sections. Here is exactly what each one requires and what you need to know before you start writing.
This section captures every source of income, not just your paycheck. Use your most recent 12-month average for variable income sources. Courts scrutinize this section most heavily when calculating child support and alimony.
- Salary and wages — gross, before taxes or deductions
- Bonuses and commissions — average the last 3 years if variable
- Self-employment income — net profit after business expenses (Schedule C)
- Rental income — gross rent received, even if it barely covers the mortgage
- Investment income — dividends, capital gains distributions, interest
- Retirement distributions — pensions, annuities, 401(k) or IRA withdrawals
- Government benefits — Social Security, disability (SSDI/SSI), unemployment
- Trust or estate income — all distributions, even irregular ones
List your current monthly expenses — not what you wish they were, and not what they'll be after the divorce. This section determines how much support you need (or how much you can pay). Be thorough. Courts notice gaps.
- Housing — mortgage/rent, property taxes, HOA dues, insurance
- Utilities — electric, gas, water, internet, phone, streaming
- Food — groceries and reasonable dining expenses
- Transportation — car payments, insurance, fuel, maintenance, parking
- Healthcare — insurance premiums, prescriptions, copays, therapy
- Childcare and education — daycare, after-school programs, tuition, school supplies
- Personal — clothing, haircuts, gym memberships
- Entertainment — reasonable, not aspirational
Disclose all assets — marital and non-marital. Hiding assets is the single most common fraud in divorce proceedings and courts are trained to spot it. When in doubt, include it and let your attorney determine if it's marital property.
- Real property — primary home, vacation property, investment properties (use current market value)
- Bank accounts — checking, savings, money market (average balance or current balance)
- Retirement accounts — 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Roth IRA, pension (current account value)
- Investment accounts — brokerage, stocks, bonds, mutual funds
- Vehicles — cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles (current Kelley Blue Book value)
- Business interests — ownership in any LLC, S-corp, C-corp, partnership, or sole proprietorship
- Personal property of value — jewelry, art, collectibles, electronics over ~$500
- Life insurance with cash value — whole life or universal life policies
List all debts — again, marital and non-marital. Courts need the complete picture of your balance sheet to divide things equitably. Don't omit debts because you're embarrassed by them or because you expect your spouse to pay them.
- Mortgage(s) — outstanding balance, monthly payment, lender name
- Car loans — outstanding balance for each vehicle
- Credit cards — current balance, minimum payment (list each card separately)
- Student loans — outstanding balance, servicer
- Personal loans — any amounts borrowed from banks, family, or friends
- Tax debts — any unpaid federal or state tax obligations
- Medical debt — outstanding bills
- Business debts — any personal guarantees on business loans
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the errors that create legal problems, delay proceedings, and give opposing counsel ammunition. Every one of them is avoidable.
Documents You Need to Complete This Form
Gather these before you start writing. Attempting to fill out Form 12.902 from memory will produce inaccurate numbers — and inaccurate numbers signed under oath are a problem.
We organize your documents, extract your numbers, and produce a court-ready financial summary — so you're not scrambling at the last minute.
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