Florida Short Form Financial Affidavit 12.902(b): Complete Filing Guide
Florida Family Law Financial Affidavit (Short Form), Form 12.902(b), is the standard sworn financial disclosure document required in all contested or uncontested family court actions where the individual party's gross annual income is under $50,000.
Section I: Monthly Gross Income
Gross income is calculated on a monthly basis. If you are paid weekly, multiply your weekly gross by 4.33. If you are paid bi-weekly (every two weeks), multiply your bi-weekly gross by 26 and divide by 12. You must report all sources of income, including:
- Salary, wages, tips, bonuses, commissions, and overtime.
- Business income from self-employment, partnership, or independent contracting (gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses).
- Disability benefits, workers' compensation, and unemployment compensation.
- Pension, retirement, annuity payments, and Social Security benefits.
- Rental income (gross receipts minus ordinary operating expenses, excluding mortgage principal).
Section II: Allowable Monthly Deductions
Only deductions recognized by Fla. Stat. § 61.30 may be subtracted to determine net income. Voluntary deductions (such as loan repayments or charitable gifts) cannot be entered in Section II. Standard deductions include:
- Federal, state, and local income tax withholding (calculated based on allowable exemptions).
- FICA or self-employment tax contributions.
- Mandatory union dues.
- Mandatory retirement payments (e.g. Florida FRS mandatory 3% employee contribution).
- Health insurance payments for yourself.
- Court-ordered child support or alimony actually paid for other prior relationships.
Section III: Monthly Living Expenses
Section III details your household's actual monthly budget. This section demonstrates financial need and ability to pay. It is organized into several standard subsections:
- Household: Monthly rent or mortgage payment, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, electricity, water/sewer, trash, telephone, internet, and home maintenance.
- Food & Household Supplies: Groceries, meals outside the home, household cleaning products.
- Automobile & Transportation: Monthly car note, gasoline, vehicle maintenance, auto insurance, tags/registration, tolls.
- Children's Expenses: Daycare, school tuition, lunch money, clothing, medical co-pays, extracurriculars.
- Insurance: Life, medical, dental, or disability premiums not deducted from pay.
Section IV: Assets and Liabilities
Even though your income may be under $50,000, you must list all assets owned individually or jointly, including bank accounts, real estate, motor vehicles, retirement accounts, and household furnishings. Each asset must indicate whether it is claimed as marital or non-marital property. All credit cards, student loans, mortgages, and personal loans must be itemized with current balances.
Notarization & Execution
Form 12.902(b) must be signed under penalty of perjury in the presence of a notary public or deputy court clerk. Intentionally omitting assets or falsifying expenses subjects the party to judicial sanctions, attorney's fees under Fla. Stat. § 61.16, and contempt of court.