Illinois financial affidavit, section by section

Published October 28, 2026

Illinois uses one statewide Financial Affidavit (Family & Divorce Cases) in every circuit court: the form's footer says it "is required to be used in all Illinois Circuit Courts". The current version is ATJ 251.5, dated 06/25, with an instruction sheet numbered ATJ 250.3. This guide walks through the form in order, with each line's own wording. It is general information, not legal advice; for what goes where in your case, ask a lawyer, Illinois Court Help (833-411-1121) or your court's self-help center.

Sections 1 to 4: you, your work and last year's taxes

• 1. Basic information. Whether you are the petitioner or respondent, the date the information is "true and correct as of", and checkboxes for what you attach: 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 adds: "You must attach these documents if you have or can get them."
• 2. Information about myself. Name, phone, date of birth and address. If you need to keep your address from your spouse because of domestic violence, the form allows another address where you can receive mail.
• 3. My employment/business. Your employer, how many paychecks you get a year (12, 24, 26 or 52, or paid in cash) and your gross pay so far this year. If you are self-employed: the kind of business, gross receipts and ordinary and necessary expenses for last year and this year, and perks such as reimbursed meals, a company car or housing.
• 4. Last year's taxes. Filing status, standard or itemized deduction, last year's gross income, and tax credits claimed.

Section 5: monthly gross income from all sources

Every income line is monthly and gross, before taxes and deductions. The form lists them one after another:

The form itself marks SSI and TANF and SNAP "not included as income for child support purposes", and says child support paid by the other parent "does not affect the support calculation". Section 5 ends with Total Gross Monthly Income.

Sections 6 to 8: deductions, maintenance and child support

6. Monthly payroll deductions come from your pay stubs and tax records: federal tax, state tax, FICA (or a Social Security equivalent such as self-employment tax), Medicare tax, and mandatory retirement contributions. Health insurance deducted from pay is listed in 9e instead.

7. Monthly maintenance payments you make: under a court order in this case, and under an order in a different case, each with a box for whether it is tax deductible to you. The form notes that maintenance ordered after January 1, 2019 is generally not tax deductible.

8. Monthly child support: (a) paid under an order in this case, (b) paid under orders in other cases, with county, number of children and case number, (c) paid to the other parent without a court order, and (d) other children living with you whom you support.

Section 9: monthly living expenses

The instruction is "Enter the amount your household spends on each item each month." Five groups, each with a subtotal:

• 9a. Household: mortgage or rent, home equity and second mortgage, real estate taxes, association dues, homeowners or renters insurance, gas, electric, telephone, cable or satellite TV, internet, water and sewer, garbage removal, laundry and dry cleaning, house cleaning, repairs and maintenance to your home, pet care, and groceries, household supplies, and toiletries.
• 9b. Transportation: car payment, repairs and maintenance, insurance, license, registration and city sticker, fuel, taxi, ride-share, bus, and train, and parking.
• 9c. Personal: out-of-pocket medical (doctor visits, therapy and counseling, dental, optical, medicine), life insurance (term, and whole or annuity), clothing, grooming, gym and club dues, entertainment, dining out, and hobbies, subscriptions, gifts, donations, vacations, union or professional dues, and professional fees (accountants, tax preparers, attorneys).
• 9d. Minor and dependent children: clothing, grooming, education (tuition, books, school lunch, transportation, trips, uniforms, before and after-school care, tutoring and summer school), out-of-pocket medical, allowance, childcare and sitters, extracurricular activities and sports, camps, children's vacations and entertainment, and gifts children give to others.
• 9e. Health insurance: the insurer, type and policy, who is covered, the total monthly cost and who pays it, and the cost for covering children.

Total Monthly Living Expenses adds the subtotals from 9a to 9e. For turning a year of bills into these monthly figures, see working out monthly amounts.

Sections 10 and 11: debts and assets

10. My Debts lists creditors, what each debt was for, the amount owed and the monthly payment being made, with the instruction "Do not include debt payments already listed in Sections 9 above, such as your mortgage or car payment." 11. My Assets lists what you own, with balances as of the date of the affidavit and fair market value where needed. The last page is your signature under 735 ILCS 5/1-109, which means a false statement on the form is perjury.

Financial Affidavit Numbers covers the parts that come from your statements: monthly figures for the section 5 income lines and for sections 7 to 10, each traced to the transactions behind it. You decide every category and copy the figures onto the form; it does not fill in the affidavit, and sections 6 and 11 stay yours.

Common questions

Is there one financial affidavit for all of Illinois?

Yes. The Financial Affidavit (Family & Divorce Cases) says it is required to be used in all Illinois Circuit Courts. The current version is ATJ 251.5, dated 06/25.

What are the sections of the Illinois financial affidavit?

1 basic information, 2 information about you, 3 employment and business, 4 last year's taxes, 5 monthly gross income, 6 payroll deductions, 7 maintenance payments, 8 child support, 9 monthly living expenses (9a to 9e), 10 debts and 11 assets.

Where does health insurance go on the Illinois financial affidavit?

Section 6 says to list money deducted for health insurance in section 9e, which asks for the policy, who is covered, the total monthly cost and the cost for covering children.

Do I list my mortgage under debts in Illinois?

Section 10 says not to include debt payments already listed in section 9, such as your mortgage or car payment. Those payments go in 9a and 9b.

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