Florida financial affidavit deadline
Published October 27, 2026
Florida's financial affidavit, Form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c), has a deadline written into its own instructions: 45 days after you are served with the petition. The form is also the first item in Florida's mandatory disclosure, under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.285, which has its own timetable and its own list of documents. This guide sets out both, from the form instructions and the October 1, 2026 edition of the rules. It is general information, not legal advice; deadlines can change by agreement or court order, so check your case with a lawyer or your circuit's self-help program.
What the form instructions say
The short form's instructions, under "What should I do next?":
A copy of this form must be filed with the court and served on the other party or his or her attorney in your case within 45 days of being served with the petition, if it is not served on him or her with your initial papers.
The long form's instructions say the same, in two sentences: a copy "must be served on the other party ... within 45 days of being served with the petition, if it is not served on him or her with your initial papers", and a copy "must be filed with the court and served on the other party or his or her attorney." Both say service follows Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
Rule 12.285: the timetable
| Situation | When documents are served | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Initial or supplemental proceeding | Within 45 days of service of the initial pleading on the respondent | 12.285(b)(2) |
| Temporary financial relief hearing, party asking | At least 10 days before the hearing, unless already served | 12.285(b)(1)(A) |
| Temporary financial relief hearing, other party | At least 5 days before the hearing, unless already served | 12.285(b)(1)(B) |
| Extensions | By agreement of the parties, or by a motion filed before the due date; the court must grant it for good cause shown | 12.285(h) |
| Objections | In writing, at least 5 days before the due date, or they are waived | 12.285(i) |
What gets filed and what only gets served
Rule 12.285(a)(3)(A) says that, except for the financial affidavit and the child support guidelines worksheet, documents produced under the rule are not filed in the court file without a court order. So the affidavit is filed and served; your bank statements and tax returns are served only.
Rule 12.285(c)(2) allows the parties to file a joint notice waiving the filing of financial affidavits. In it, both parties acknowledge that they have each given the other a fully executed and sworn financial affidavit. The affidavits are still exchanged; they are just not filed. Rule 12.285(j) requires each party to file a certificate of compliance (Form 12.932) listing the documents delivered.
The documents that go with it
For an initial or supplemental request for permanent financial relief, such as child support, alimony or equitable distribution, rule 12.285(e) lists what each party serves. Among them:
- The financial affidavit, and "All documents supporting the income, assets, and liabilities figures entered into the financial affidavit" (e)(1).
- Federal and state income tax returns for the past 3 years (e)(2).
- Pay stubs or other evidence of earned income for the 6 months before compliance (e)(4).
- "All periodic statements from the last 12 months for all checking accounts", and for all other accounts (e)(8).
- Credit card and charge account statements for the last 24 months (e)(14).
For a temporary hearing within the 45 days, rule 12.285(d) lists a shorter set: the affidavit, three years of tax returns, W-2s, 1099s and K-1s where needed, and six months of pay stubs.
The 12 months of statements you serve under (e)(8) are the same statements your expense figures come from. See monthly averages from bank statements for the arithmetic, which is the same in Florida.
After you serve it
Rule 12.285(f) says parties have a continuing duty to supplement their disclosure, including financial affidavits, "whenever a material change in their financial status occurs", and to serve documents supporting any amended affidavit. Rule 12.285(g) says documents not served within the time limits before a nonfinal hearing are not received in evidence at that hearing unless the court finds good cause for the delay.
Financial Affidavit Numbers gives you the monthly figures for each line of Form 12.902(b) or (c), with a schedule tracing every figure to statement lines, which is the kind of supporting record (e)(1) describes. It does not fill in, serve or file the affidavit; you do.
Common questions
When is the Florida financial affidavit due?
The form instructions say within 45 days of being served with the petition, if it is not served with your initial papers. Rule 12.285(b)(2) sets the same 45 days, from service of the initial pleading on the respondent, for mandatory disclosure documents.
Can the 45-day deadline be extended?
Rule 12.285(h) says the time for mandatory disclosure may be extended by agreement of the parties, or by a motion filed before the due date, which the court must grant for good cause shown.
Is the financial affidavit filed with the court in Florida?
Yes, the instructions say a copy is filed with the court and served on the other party. Rule 12.285(c)(2) allows a joint notice waiving the filing, under which the parties still exchange sworn affidavits but do not file them.
How many months of bank statements does Florida mandatory disclosure require?
Rule 12.285(e)(8) lists all periodic statements from the last 12 months for all checking accounts and other accounts. Rule 12.285(e)(14) lists credit card and charge account statements for the last 24 months.
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