Financial Disclosure in New York Support Cases

Both parties must disclose

Family Court Act § 424-a provides that in all support proceedings in Family Court there shall be compulsory disclosure by both parties of their respective financial states. A sworn statement of net worth is filed with the clerk on a date the court sets, no later than ten days after the return date of the petition. The parties must also provide a current and representative paycheck stub and their most recently filed state and federal income tax returns, including W-2s.

CourtHelp adds that after a support petition is filed, the respondent must be served with the summons, the petition and the financial disclosure form.

The Family Court forms

• Form 4-17, Financial Disclosure Affirmation (rev. 4/2025). A detailed statement of income from all sources, assets, liabilities and net worth, signed as an affirmation under the penalties of perjury. Its addenda summarize the child support percentages, the income cap, the self-support reserve and the factors for varying from the percentages.
• Form 4-17a, Financial Disclosure Affirmation (Short Form) (rev. 4/2025). The form tells parties to fill it out before the next court date and bring it with them.

Ask the clerk which of the two forms your court wants you to use.

What to attach

Form 4-17 lists these required attachments:

• Current and representative paycheck stubs
• Your most recently filed state and federal income tax returns, including all forms
• The W-2 statements filed with those returns, or, if you did not file, your W-2 for the most recent year you filed
• Information on health insurance plans available to you for the children, including the cost of adding them
• Information on accident and life insurance plans

The short form asks you to bring your two most recent pay stubs, your most recent federal and state tax returns, your W-2s and 1099s, documents proving other income, debts and loans, proof of health insurance coverage and cost, and proof of public assistance. If you are self-employed, Form 4-17 asks you to attach your most recently filed federal and state returns with all schedules.

Divorce cases in Supreme Court

In matrimonial actions where alimony, maintenance or support is in issue, Domestic Relations Law § 236(B)(4)(a) likewise requires compulsory disclosure by both parties of their financial states. A sworn statement of net worth must be provided within twenty days after receiving a written demand for it. If no demand is made, each party files it with the clerk of the court within ten days after joinder of issue.