If your case involves child support, spousal support, or dividing property, financial disclosure is unavoidable — and it's one of the most common reasons cases get stuck. Disclosure simply means giving the other side (and the court) an honest, documented picture of your finances. Getting it organized early keeps your case moving and builds your credibility. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
What financial disclosure is
Disclosure is the exchange of financial information so that support and property can be worked out fairly. In Ontario family court this usually centres on a sworn financial statement plus supporting documents that back up the numbers. Both sides disclose — it's a two-way obligation, not a tactic.
Form 13 and Form 13.1
Which financial statement you use depends on the issues. Broadly, Form 13 (Financial Statement — Support Claims) is used when the case is about support only, and Form 13.1 (Financial Statement — Property and Support Claims) is used when property is also involved. These are sworn documents, so accuracy matters. Confirm what applies to you using the official Family Law Rules and forms.
The documents you'll likely need
Beyond the form itself, you'll generally need to back up your income and finances. Commonly that includes:
- Recent income tax returns and notices of assessment
- Recent pay stubs or proof of current income
- Bank, credit card, investment, and pension statements
- Documents for property, debts, and major assets
- Proof of special or extraordinary child expenses, if relevant
If you're self-employed or your income is complicated, expect to provide more — and consider getting advice on how to present it.
Why complete, honest disclosure matters
Missing, late, or incomplete disclosure is one of the biggest causes of delay, extra costs, and frustration in family court — and it damages credibility. Courts take disclosure obligations seriously. Full and timely disclosure, even when it's inconvenient, almost always serves you better than dragging it out.
Keep it organized — and keep it current
Treat disclosure as a living folder, not a one-time scramble. Keep your statements and documents together, labelled and dated, and update them as your situation changes (you may need to update a financial statement as a case goes on). An organized document set makes completing the form — and answering questions about it — far less stressful.
How SteadCase helps
SteadCase gives your financial documents a private home alongside the rest of your case: store and label statements in the Evidence Tracker or files vault, note key financial events in your Case Log, and keep the deadlines for exchanging disclosure in Court Dates & Deadlines. When it's time to complete a form or meet a lawyer, everything is in one place. For the bigger picture, see the Ontario family court process.
This is general educational information for Ontario, not legal advice. Court rules and your situation matter — consider speaking with a lawyer, paralegal, or your local Family Law Information Centre.