Illinois financial affidavit: due dates and attachments

Published October 28, 2026

The Financial Affidavit (Family & Divorce Cases) is how each side in an Illinois family case shows the judge and the other side their income, expenses, debts and assets. This guide sets out who gives one, when, what goes with it, and how it reaches the other side, from the form (ATJ 251.5, 06/25) and its instruction sheet (ATJ 250.3). The law the instructions cite is 750 ILCS 5/501. It is general information, not legal advice; local rules differ between counties, so check yours with the circuit clerk.

Who has to give one, and when

The instructions name two situations:

• "A person in a case where temporary support, temporary maintenance, or interim attorney fees are requested."
• "A person in a case if a local court rule or the judge requires that a Financial Affidavit be provided."

On timing they say: "Your Financial Affidavit is due by any deadline given by local court rules or by the judge. If you file a request for temporary child support, temporary maintenance, or interim attorney fees, your Financial Affidavit is due at the same time." There is no single statewide number of days; the deadline in your case comes from your county's rules or the judge's order.

What to attach

Section 1c of the form lists the documents, with the note "You must attach these documents if you have or can get them":

• pay stubs or other proof of income;
• income tax returns, including K-1, W-2, 1099 and all schedules;
• bank statements;
• other documents for the debts in section 10 and the assets in section 11.

Before attaching anything, the form says to hide Social Security or taxpayer identification numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account or card numbers, "by covering them with black ink or otherwise removing". A self-employed person attaches complete federal and state business tax returns for the most recent year (section 3c).

Sending it and filing it

The instructions say: "You must send your form to the other people in the case. If a person in the case has a lawyer, send the form to the lawyer." A Proof of Delivery form shows the court how it was sent. Filing is different: "Only file your financial affidavit and any attachments with the Circuit Clerk if a local rule or court order requires you to do so." Where filing is required, most people e-file through eFileIL; the instructions list who may file on paper instead.

Answering every question, and mistakes

The instructions ask you to answer all questions and complete every section "even if the response is 'not applicable,' 'none,' 'not in my possession,'" or another brief explanation, and not to list the same income, expense, asset or debt in more than one section. If you find a mistake or your finances change: "Fill out and provide a corrected Financial Affidavit."

The stakes are printed on the first page: entering misleading information intentionally or recklessly can bring "significant penalties and sanctions, including costs and attorney's fees". The signature block cites 735 ILCS 5/1-109, under which a false statement on the form is perjury. Twelve months of statements make the monthly figures easier to support; see working out monthly amounts and the form section by section.

Free help with the form

• Illinois Legal Aid Online's free Easy Form asks questions and puts your answers on the form; the instructions link to it.
• Illinois Court Help (833-411-1121, ilcourthelp.gov) answers questions about forms and court steps, and does not give legal advice.
• Many courthouses have a self-help center; Illinois Legal Aid Online keeps a directory.

Neither the Easy Form nor Court Help adds up a year of statements for you. Financial Affidavit Numbers does that part: it reads your bank and card statements in your browser and gives the monthly average for each income and expense line of the Illinois form, with a schedule of the transactions behind every figure, the kind of record that backs up the bank statements you attach. It does not fill in, send or file the affidavit; you do.

Common questions

When is the Illinois financial affidavit due?

By any deadline set by local court rules or the judge. If you ask for temporary child support, temporary maintenance or interim attorney fees, the instructions say your Financial Affidavit is due at the same time.

Do I file my financial affidavit with the clerk in Illinois?

Only if a local rule or court order requires it. You must send it to the other people in the case (or their lawyer) and complete a Proof of Delivery.

What documents go with the Illinois financial affidavit?

Section 1c lists pay stubs or other proof of income, income tax returns with K-1, W-2, 1099 and schedules, bank statements, and documents for your debts and assets. The form says you must attach them if you have or can get them.

What if I made a mistake on my Illinois financial affidavit?

The instructions say you fill out and provide a corrected Financial Affidavit. The same applies if your information changes.

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