Florida financial affidavit: short form or long form?
Published October 27, 2026
Florida has two versions of the Family Law Financial Affidavit: Form 12.902(b), the short form (current revision 10/21), and Form 12.902(c), the long form (current revision 06/25). The instructions for each say when it is meant to be used, and the line between them is $50,000 of income a year. This guide quotes those instructions and the rule behind them, and shows how the two forms differ. It is general information, not legal advice, and it does not tell you which form to use; that is your decision, and the clerk's self-help program or a lawyer can help with it.
The $50,000 line, in the instructions' words
The short form's instructions begin:
This form should be used when you are involved in a family law case which requires a financial affidavit and your individual gross income is UNDER $50,000 per year unless:
The long form's instructions use the same sentence with "$50,000 OR MORE per year". The forms repeat it in their subtitles: "(Under $50,000 Individual Gross Annual Income)" on the short form and "($50,000 or more Individual Gross Annual Income)" on the long form.
The three exceptions
Both sets of instructions list the same three situations where neither form is required:
- "You are filing a simplified dissolution of marriage under rule 12.105 and both parties have waived the filing of a financial affidavit;"
- "You have no minor children, no support issues, and have filed a written settlement agreement disposing of all financial issues; or"
- "The court lacks jurisdiction to determine any financial issues."
The long form words the first one slightly differently ("waived the filing of financial affidavits"); the meaning is the same.
What rule 12.285 adds
The instructions point to Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.285, the mandatory disclosure rule. In the October 1, 2026 edition of the rules:
- Rule 12.285(d)(1) and (e)(1) set the same line: Form 12.902(b) if the party's gross annual income is less than $50,000, Form 12.902(c) if it is equal to or more than $50,000. Both say the financial affidavit requirement cannot be waived by the parties.
- Rule 12.285(e)(1) adds that the other party may request, through the standard family law interrogatories, or the court may order on its own motion, that a party with gross annual income under $50,000 use Form 12.902(c).
- Rule 12.285(c) lists the exemptions, and adds a joint notice, signed by both parties, waiving the filing of financial affidavits with the court. Under that notice the parties still exchange sworn affidavits with each other; they just do not file them.
How the two forms differ
| Short form, 12.902(b) | Long form, 12.902(c) | |
|---|---|---|
| Revision | 10/21 | 06/25 |
| About you | Occupation, employer, pay rate | Age, occupation, employment status, expected job changes, retirement, last year's gross income |
| Income | Lines 1 to 17 | Lines 1 to 17, nearly the same lines |
| Deductions | Lines 18 to 27 | Lines 18 to 27 |
| Expenses | Groups A to F with named lines and blanks; total on line 28 | Lines 1 to 119 in seven groups with subtotals; total on line 120 |
| Assets and debts | One list of each, with a nonmarital column | Step-by-step instructions, marital and nonmarital columns, net worth, and lines for digital wallets and virtual currency |
The long form asks for much more detail on expenses, which is where most of the work is. The section-by-section guide goes through both forms line by line.
What the instructions leave open
The instructions say "individual gross income" and "per year", and nothing more about how to measure it. They do not say which twelve months, or what to do if your income crossed $50,000 partway through the year. If you are near the line, ask the self-help program at your circuit court or a lawyer which form applies to you.
Both forms ask for monthly amounts: "All amounts must be MONTHLY." If you are paid weekly or every two weeks, see converting weekly and biweekly pay to monthly.
Financial Affidavit Numbers builds its worksheet on the lines of whichever form you choose, short or long, with each line's monthly average and the statement lines behind it. It does not choose the form for you and does not fill in either one; you copy the numbers onto the form yourself.
Common questions
When do you use the Florida financial affidavit long form?
The long form's instructions say it is for a family law case that requires a financial affidavit when your individual gross income is $50,000 or more per year, unless one of three listed exceptions applies. Rule 12.285(e)(1) also lets the other party request, or the court order, the long form for a party under $50,000.
What is the Florida financial affidavit short form?
Form 12.902(b), the Family Law Financial Affidavit (Short Form), revision 10/21. Its instructions describe it for individual gross income under $50,000 per year. It has the same income and deduction lines as the long form and a shorter expense section.
Can the other side make me use the long form?
Rule 12.285(e)(1) says the other party may request, through the standard family law interrogatories, or the court may order, that a party with gross annual income under $50,000 use Form 12.902(c).
Is the $50,000 limit gross or net income?
The instructions say 'individual gross income', and the forms' subtitles say 'Individual Gross Annual Income'. They do not say more about how to measure it; ask the self-help program or a lawyer if you are close to the line.
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