Florida's mandatory disclosure rules under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.285 require both parties in a dissolution action to exchange extensive financial documentation early in the case. Gathering these documents before you file -- rather than scrambling to locate them afterward -- gives you a strategic advantage, reduces legal costs, and helps your attorney develop an accurate picture of the marital estate from day one.
The following ten categories cover virtually every document you will need.
1. Personal Identification Documents
Start with the basics that establish identity and residency.
- Government-issued photo identification -- Driver's license or passport for both spouses
- Social Security cards -- For both spouses and all minor children
- Birth certificates -- For all minor children of the marriage
- Proof of Florida residency -- Utility bills, voter registration, or Florida driver's license showing at least six months of residency per Florida Statute 61.021
2. Marriage and Relationship Documents
- Marriage certificate -- Obtain a certified copy from the county where you married or from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement -- If any marital agreement exists, your attorney must evaluate its enforceability under Florida Statute 61.079
- Prior divorce decrees -- Final judgments from any previous marriages for either spouse
3. Income and Employment Records
Florida child support calculations under Florida Statute 61.30 and alimony determinations under Florida Statute 61.08 both depend on accurate income information.
- Pay stubs -- Last three to six months for both spouses
- Federal and state tax returns -- Last three years, including all schedules and W-2s
- 1099 forms and K-1 statements -- For self-employment, partnership, or investment income
- Employment contracts -- Including bonus structures, stock options, and deferred compensation agreements
- Proof of other income -- Social Security benefits, disability payments, rental income, or trust distributions
4. Bank and Financial Account Statements
- Checking and savings accounts -- Last twelve months of statements for every account held individually or jointly
- Money market accounts and certificates of deposit -- Current statements showing balances and maturity dates
- Cash apps and digital wallets -- Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, and similar platforms often contain transaction histories relevant to marital spending
5. Investment and Retirement Accounts
Retirement assets are frequently among the largest marital assets and require careful handling during equitable distribution.
- 401(k), 403(b), and pension statements -- Most recent statements and summary plan descriptions
- IRA statements -- Traditional, Roth, and SEP-IRA accounts
- Brokerage account statements -- Last twelve months showing all transactions
- Stock option and RSU documentation -- Vesting schedules, grant dates, and current valuations
- Annuity contracts -- Current value and surrender terms
6. Real Property and Vehicle Documents
- Property deeds -- For all real estate owned individually or jointly, in Florida or elsewhere
- Mortgage statements -- Current balances, monthly payments, and lender information
- Property tax assessments -- Most recent county appraisals
- Home appraisals or market analyses -- Any recent professional valuations
- Vehicle titles and registration -- For all cars, boats, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles
- Loan statements for vehicles -- Current balances on all auto loans and lease agreements
7. Insurance Policies
- Health insurance -- Current policy declarations, premium amounts, and covered dependents
- Life insurance -- Policy declarations showing death benefits, cash value, beneficiaries, and ownership
- Auto and homeowner's insurance -- Current declarations pages
- Disability and long-term care insurance -- Policy terms and premium schedules
- Umbrella policies -- Coverage limits and premium information
8. Debt and Liability Records
Equitable distribution in Florida applies to debts as well as assets. Under Florida Statute 61.075, the court divides marital liabilities alongside marital assets.
- Credit card statements -- Last six months for every card held individually or jointly
- Student loan statements -- Current balances and repayment terms
- Personal loan documentation -- Promissory notes, payment histories, and current balances
- Credit reports -- Pull a current credit report from all three bureaus for both spouses. This often reveals debts one spouse may not know about.
- Tax liabilities -- Any outstanding state or federal tax obligations, including payment plans
9. Business and Self-Employment Documents
If either spouse owns a business or has an ownership interest in any entity, these documents are critical for valuation.
- Business tax returns -- Last three years for any entity in which either spouse holds an interest
- Profit and loss statements -- Current year and prior two years
- Business bank account statements -- Last twelve months
- Operating agreements or partnership agreements -- Governing documents for LLCs, partnerships, or S-corporations
- Business valuation reports -- Any prior professional appraisals
10. Child-Related and Legal Documents
- School records and enrollment documentation -- Establishing the children's primary educational environment
- Medical records and special needs documentation -- Relevant to parenting plan considerations and healthcare cost allocation
- Childcare and extracurricular expense records -- Daycare receipts, tutoring costs, sports fees, and activity expenses
- Existing court orders -- Any prior orders relating to custody, support, or protection from any jurisdiction
- Communication records -- Text messages, emails, or other documentation relevant to parenting disputes or domestic violence allegations
The Mandatory Financial Affidavit
Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.285 requires each party to file a sworn Financial Affidavit within 45 days of service of the initial petition. The affidavit requires disclosure of all income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Having the documents listed above already organized makes completing this affidavit significantly easier and more accurate.
Filing an inaccurate Financial Affidavit can result in sanctions, adverse inferences, and even the reopening of a final judgment. Completeness and accuracy are not optional.
Practical Tips for Document Gathering
Begin collecting these documents as early as possible -- ideally before your spouse knows you are considering divorce. Make copies of everything and store them in a secure location outside the marital home, such as a safe deposit box or with a trusted family member. If documents are stored digitally, download and back them up to a secure cloud account in your name only.
Your attorney cannot protect assets or rights they do not know about. Thorough documentation is the foundation of effective representation.