
Filing for divorce in New York can be a daunting process, filled with various legal requirements. Among these crucial steps is completing a financial affidavit. This document outlines each party’s financial situation. It’s important to understand how these statements can influence the resolution of all financial matters in your divorce. Please continue reading as we explore the relevance of financial affidavits in divorce and why connecting with a skilled Garden City Divorce Lawyer is in your best interest.
What is a Financial Affidavit?
During divorce proceedings, each spouse must prepare a financial affidavit. This legal document shows each spouse’s income, expenses, debts, and assets. Essentially, this statement paints a complete picture of each spouse’s financial situation. This information is necessary for the determination of property division, alimony, and child support. To ensure you are abiding by the law, you must provide accurate descriptions of the following:
- Income: You must accurately report all income sources, including wages, bonuses, dividends, and rental income.
- Assets: You must accurately report all of the properties and assets you possess including real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement funds, stocks, etc.
- Expenses: You must accurately report everything you pay monthly for housing, child care, insurance, and more.
- Liabilities: You must accurately report all debts, such as credit cards, mortgages, and personal loans.
Accurate and transparent financial disclosure is crucial. Providing misleading information in a financial affidavit can result in legal penalties and negatively impact the outcome of your divorce settlement.
Why Are Financial Affidavits Relevant During a New York Divorce?
The information that you and your spouse include in your financial affidavits will guide settlement negotiations. New York courts heavily rely on the information provided in these statements to make fair and informed decisions about spousal support, property division, child support, and more. Inaccurate information can affect the court’s assessment of a spouse’s financial circumstances and may lead to an unjust division of property or an inappropriate determination of support obligations. If either party deliberately provides false information it can lead to serious legal consequences like steep fines or even perjury charges in extreme cases.
As you can see, navigating the complexities of a divorce can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to sorting out financial matters. That’s why it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced Nassau County divorce lawyer from the Law Offices of Eyal Talassazan, P.C., who can help effectively represent your interests and protect your rights. Connect with our firm today to learn more about what we can do for you during these difficult times.