Pro Se Guide

Financial Disclosure Checklist

Financial disclosure is mandatory in divorce—both spouses must reveal their complete financial picture. This includes income (pay stubs, tax returns), assets (bank accounts, retirement, property), debts (credit cards, loans, mortgages), and monthly expenses. Hiding assets or providing false information can result in severe penalties. Use this checklist to gather everything you need.

Last updated: February 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team

Why Financial Disclosure Matters

Enables Fair Division

Courts can only divide property fairly when they know what exists. Complete disclosure ensures neither spouse is cheated.

Calculates Support

Child support and alimony are based on actual income and expenses. Accurate disclosure ensures correct calculations.

Legal Requirement

Most states mandate disclosure under penalty of perjury. It's not optional—both parties must comply.

Consequences of Hiding

Hidden assets can void settlements, result in contempt charges, and lead to the hiding spouse losing a larger share.

Complete Financial Disclosure Checklist

Income Documentation

  • Pay stubs (last 3-6 months)
  • Tax returns (last 2-3 years)
  • W-2s and 1099s
  • K-1 partnership income
  • Self-employment records
  • Social Security statements
  • Pension/retirement income
  • Rental/investment income

Bank & Financial Accounts

  • Checking account statements (3-12 months)
  • Savings account statements
  • Money market accounts
  • CDs (Certificates of Deposit)
  • Brokerage/investment accounts
  • Cryptocurrency holdings
  • PayPal/Venmo balances
  • HSA/FSA accounts

Retirement Accounts

  • 401(k) statements
  • 403(b) statements
  • IRA statements (Traditional & Roth)
  • Pension plan summary
  • Military retirement benefits
  • Deferred compensation plans

Property & Assets

  • Property deeds
  • Mortgage statements
  • Home appraisal (if available)
  • Vehicle titles
  • Life insurance policies
  • Business ownership documents
  • Stock options/RSUs
  • Valuable personal property

Debts & Liabilities

  • Credit card statements
  • Auto loan statements
  • Student loan statements
  • Personal loans
  • Medical debt
  • Tax obligations owed

Monthly Expenses

  • Rent/mortgage payment
  • Utilities (electric, gas, water)
  • Insurance premiums
  • Food/groceries
  • Childcare costs
  • Healthcare/medical expenses
  • Transportation costs
  • Education expenses

When to Gather Documents

Start Before Filing

Begin gathering documents before you file for divorce. Once you file, your spouse will know and may become less cooperative. Having copies of all financial documents protects you.

Pro Tip:

Make copies of everything and store them securely (safety deposit box, trusted family member, or secure cloud storage). Don't take original documents that belong to both of you.

Never Hide Assets

Financial disclosure is under oath. Hiding assets, underreporting income, or providing false information can result in:

  • • Contempt of court charges
  • • Perjury charges (criminal offense)
  • • Court awarding hidden assets to your spouse
  • • Reopening of the divorce settlement
  • • Attorney fees sanctions

Your State's Disclosure Requirements

Financial disclosure requirements and forms vary by state. Some states have automatic disclosure requirements while others require formal discovery requests. Victoria AI guides you through your state's specific process.

Find your state's disclosure requirements

Victoria Organizes Your Financial Disclosure

Victoria AI helps you create a complete financial inventory, organizes your documents, and generates the required disclosure forms for your state.