Get Started

As you begin your journey in completing your financial statement, Disclosure Clinic is here to help. 

Below is a step by step process – and it does not start with filling in the form. We’ve also gathered a list of other resources available on the Internet to help you get started. Need more help? Book an appointment.

(1) Online File Storage

Before you start working on your financial statement, find a cloud storage site that works for you. Collecting necessary documents online will help you organize and share them, which is key to financial disclosure. In choosing a storage site, consider: 

  • Ease of access for you
  • User interface for the device(s) you will likely use for uploading and for organizing
  • Ease of uploading
  • Privacy Settings
  • Ease of controlling the sharing features
  • Amount of storage space provided vs cost
  • Additional features, such as search, listing contents and editing within the cloud

Currently, Disclosure Clinic relies on Google Drive because many clients have gmail accounts, so it is easy to collaborate. But it’s not the only site out there. For a list of storage options, with relative pros and cons, see this website. 

(2) Know what documents to start gathering

The documents you need to provide are based on the legal claims you are making, the legal claims you may be defending against and on your particular finances. Some documents are can be listed generically and others require a review of your circumstances to really pinpoint what you need to provide to justify your legal positions.

Use our Document Checklist for Support Claims – DC Form 13(3.1)

A complete and easy to navigate checklist of the initial income documents you’ll need to provide, to make or respond to support claims pursuant to Family Law Rules Rule 13, including:

  • Rule 13(3.1) Support claims
  • Rule 13(5.0.1) Motion to Change
  • Rule 13(5.2) Motion to refrain

Or, for another starting point on income documents, download this list, compiled by the York Law Association. 

See also our poster, Top 5 Income Documents to Provide

(3) Know which financial statement form to use

CLEO provides a straightforward explanation on choosing the correct financial statement. 

The key, as always, is knowing the underlying legal issues that apply to your circumstances. If you are separating after a marriage and seeking (or responding to) a claim for division of property, you will likely use a Form 13.1 Financial Statement. 

For all other matters where you have or are responding to a support or property claim (including , including a motion to change support, use the Form 13 Financial Statement. 

See also our poster, Financial Statements: Which to Use?

(4) Work on an usable Financial Statement

You have two options here: 

(i) Download a Word version. These are the Divorcemate forms lawyers use and a bit more flexible than the forms available on the Ministry of Attorney General website:

The Word documents rely on tables, so you can add and remove rows as needed. The document does not auto-calculate the totals. 

(5) Step-by-Step Help

There are many websites discussing financial disclosure in family law, but there are limited resources to get useable information on completing specific aspects of a financial statement. We’re always looking. 

 

(6) Websites you’ll find really helpful

These websites are specific to completing your financial statement, not general family law. For that, start with CLEO’s Steps to Justice.

Income
Budget

Property

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