Financial Disclosure Requirements in Ohio Divorce

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Last Reviewed: October 20, 2026 | Next Scheduled Review: April 2027 | Primary Authority: Ohio Rev. Code Section 3105.171(E)(3)-(5); Ohio Civil Rule 84

By DivorceAudit.com Editorial Team | Reviewed for Accuracy by the DivorceAudit.com Editorial Review Team

Published: August 25, 2026 | Last Updated: October 20, 2026

Key Takeaways

Ohio law requires the court to obtain full and complete disclosure of all marital property, separate property, and other assets, debts, income, and expenses from each spouse (Ohio Rev. Code Section 3105.171(E)(3)).
Two Supreme Court-approved standardized forms cover this requirement: Affidavit 1 (basic information, income, and expenses) and Affidavit 2 (property and debt). Both are approved under Ohio Civil Rule 84.
Affidavit 1 covers three years of income history, current income from all sources, and monthly expenses across eight categories. Affidavit 2 covers real estate, nine categories of other assets, separate property claims, secured and unsecured debts, and bankruptcy history.
No single statewide deadline applies. Local court rules control when the forms must be filed.
The statute provides specific consequences for financial misconduct and for substantial and willful failure to disclose, including the possibility of a distributive award of up to three times the value of what was not disclosed.

Explain: What Ohio Generally Requires

Ohio Rev. Code Section 3105.171(E)(3) requires the court to obtain full and complete disclosure of all marital property, separate property, and other assets, debts, income, and expenses from each spouse in a divorce or legal separation proceeding. Two standardized forms serve this purpose, both approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio under Ohio Civil Rule 84. Affidavit 1 covers basic information, income, and expenses. Affidavit 2 covers property and debt.

This guide explains the general requirements under Ohio law, the categories covered by each form, and practical ways to organize financial information. It is educational information, not legal advice. DivorceAudit.com does not investigate anyone’s finances, take sides, or predict the outcome of a particular case. For advice about your circumstances, consult a family law attorney licensed in Ohio.

For the general principles behind financial disclosure across states, see our Financial Disclosure Guide.

Affidavit 1: basic information, income, and expenses

Purpose. Affidavit 1 is used to make complete disclosure of income, expenses, and money owed. It is used to determine child and spousal support. Both parties complete the form.

Section I: basic information. Covers each party’s date of birth, last four digits of Social Security number, phone number, email address, health status, education level, military status, and the dates of marriage and separation.

Section II: income. Requires the following for each party:

Base yearly income and yearly overtime, commissions, and bonuses for the past three years.
Computation of current income (base plus three-year average of overtime, commissions, and bonuses).
Other income sources, including unemployment compensation, disability benefits, workers’ compensation, Social Security, retirement benefits, spousal support received, interest and dividend income, and any other income.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and public assistance.
Social Security or Veterans’ benefits received for children.
Child support received from other court orders.

The form requires a copy of the most recent pay statement to be attached.

Section III: children and household. Lists minor and dependent children of the marriage or relationship, their dates of birth, and who they live with. Also covers other minor children and adults in the household.

Section IV: monthly expenses. Itemizes current monthly expenses across eight categories:

A. Housing. Rent or mortgage, second mortgage, real estate taxes, insurance, association fees, utilities (electric, gas, water, phone, trash, cable, internet), cleaning, lawn care.
B. Other living expenses. Groceries, restaurant meals, vehicle loan or lease, vehicle maintenance, gasoline, parking and public transportation, clothing, dry cleaning, personal grooming.
C. Minor child-related expenses. Child care (work-related and other), parenting time travel costs, school tuition, lunches, supplies, extracurricular activities, clothing, allowances, special and extraordinary needs.
D. Insurance premiums. Life, auto, health, disability, and other insurance.
E. Work and education expenses. Mandatory work expenses (union dues, uniforms), additional income taxes, tuition, books and fees, college loans.
F. Health care not covered by insurance. Physicians, dentists, orthodontists, optometrists, prescriptions, and other health care.
G. Miscellaneous. Obligations for other minor or dependent children, child support for children of other relationships, expenses for adult children or other dependents, spousal support paid, subscriptions, charitable contributions, memberships, travel, pets, gifts, attorney fees.
H. Monthly installment payments. Car payments, credit card payments, rent-to-own, cash advances, bankruptcy payments, and other installment debts not listed elsewhere.

The form ends with a grand total of monthly expenses and a sworn oath or affirmation, signed in front of a notary public.

Affidavit 2: property and debt

Purpose. Affidavit 2 requires each party to list all of their own property and debts, the property and debts of their spouse, and any joint property or debts. The most recent value for each asset and balance owed for each debt must be provided. No category may be left blank.

Section I: real estate interests. Address, present fair market value, how titled, mortgage balance, and equity for each property.

Section II: other assets. Covers nine categories:

A. Vehicles and other certificate of title property. Automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, boats, motors, motor homes, trailers, ATVs, snowmobiles, jet skis, and similar items.
B. Financial accounts. Checking, savings, CDs, payable-on-death accounts, money market accounts.
C. Pensions and retirement plans. Profit-sharing plans, IRAs, 401(k) plans, and other retirement accounts.
D. Publicly held stocks, bonds, securities, and mutual funds. Company name and number of shares.
E. Closely held stocks and other business interests. Type of ownership and number of shares.
F. Life insurance. Company name, term or whole life, insured person, cash value, and loan balance.
G. Furniture and household goods, furnishings, and appliances.
H. Safe deposit box. Location and contents.
I. All other assets not listed above. Including jewelry, art, tools, firearms, and other collectibles.

Section III: separate property claims. Items claimed as separate property, with descriptions, the reason each is claimed as separate (such as property owned before marriage, or gifts or inheritances to only one spouse), and present fair market value.

Section IV: debt. Lists all debts of either party and any joint debts, separated into secured debt (mortgages, car loans) and unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills, other debts). Each entry includes the creditor, names on the account, total balance, and monthly payment.

Section V: bankruptcy. Any bankruptcy filing, including the filing date, case number, date of discharge or relief from stay, chapter type, and current monthly payments.

The form ends with a sworn oath or affirmation, signed in front of a notary public.

What financial documents are involved?

The following table summarizes the main categories of information under each form.

Category	Covered by	What is reported
Income and overtime	Affidavit 1, Section II	Base yearly income and overtime, commissions, and bonuses for the past three years, plus current computation.
Other income sources	Affidavit 1, Section II	Unemployment, disability, workers’ compensation, Social Security, retirement benefits, spousal support, interest and dividends, and other income.
Monthly expenses	Affidavit 1, Section IV	Eight categories: housing, other living expenses, child-related expenses, insurance, work and education, health care, miscellaneous, and installment payments.
Real estate	Affidavit 2, Section I	Address, fair market value, title holder, mortgage balance, and equity.
Other assets	Affidavit 2, Section II	Nine categories: vehicles, financial accounts, pensions and retirement, publicly held securities, closely held business interests, life insurance, household goods, safe deposit boxes, and all other assets.
Separate property	Affidavit 2, Section III	Items claimed as separate, with descriptions, reasons, and values.
Debt	Affidavit 2, Section IV	Secured and unsecured debts, with creditor, names on account, balance, and monthly payment.
Bankruptcy	Affidavit 2, Section V	Filing date, case number, discharge date, chapter type, and current payments.

This table is a practical summary, not a complete list of every document that may be relevant. Additional records may be required through the discovery process or by a court order.

For a broader explanation of common financial records, see Financial Documents for Divorce. Related guides explain income questions in divorce, what may count as a marital asset, and debt division.

Filing timing

No single statewide deadline applies to filing these forms. Both Affidavit 1 and Affidavit 2 note on their face: “Check local court rules to determine when this form must be filed.” The timing depends on the local court’s rules and any orders entered in the case.

Divorce and dissolution proceedings use different procedural pathways under Ohio law. In both, the court is required to obtain complete disclosure under Section 3105.171(E)(3). Confirm the filing requirements and deadlines for your case with your attorney or the local court clerk.

Discovery in Ohio domestic relations matters

In addition to the standardized affidavits, Ohio’s civil discovery rules (Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure 26 through 37) provide additional methods for obtaining financial information. These may include interrogatories, depositions, requests for production of documents, and subpoenas to third parties. The affidavits are the starting point for disclosure, not the full extent of the information that may be exchanged.

For an overview of what discovery involves, see our Guide to Divorce Discovery and What Is an Interrogatory in Divorce?

Organize: Keeping Your Ohio Financial Records Current

The two affidavits cover different types of information. Affidavit 1 addresses income and expenses. Affidavit 2 addresses property and debt. Some information may be relevant to both forms, and additional records may be requested through discovery or court order. Do not assume that completing one form satisfies the other.

You can make your own records easier to manage by organizing them consistently:

Group records by form. Keep income and expense records (pay stubs, tax returns, monthly bills) separate from property and debt records (account statements, titles, loan documents).
Record the dates covered. Note each document’s reporting period so that current information can be distinguished from older records. Affidavit 1 asks for three years of income history.
Maintain a document list. Mark which records you have located, which you are waiting for, and which may not apply.
Record changes factually. If income, accounts, debts, or other relevant circumstances change, note what changed and when. Avoid drawing conclusions about the legal significance of a change.
Note both parties’ information. Affidavit 2 requires listing your own property and debts, your spouse’s property and debts, and any joint property or debts. Gather information about all three where possible.

For help organizing questions about financial information, see the Financial Affidavit Completeness Check, the Interactive Disclosure Checklist, and the Financial Disclosure Document Checklist.

Ohio financial disclosure checklist

Use this checklist as an organizing aid. It is not a determination that every item is required in every case. The applicable requirements depend on the type of proceeding, the local court’s rules, and any court orders.

Affidavit 1 supporting records (income and expenses)

☐ Most recent pay statement (required attachment).
☐ Base income, overtime, commissions, and bonuses for the past three years.
☐ Records of other income: unemployment, disability, workers’ compensation, Social Security, retirement benefits, spousal support, interest, dividends.
☐ Monthly housing expenses (rent or mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, association fees).
☐ Monthly living expenses (food, transportation, clothing, personal grooming).
☐ Monthly child-related expenses (child care, school, extracurricular activities, clothing, allowances).
☐ Monthly insurance premiums (life, auto, health, disability).
☐ Monthly work and education expenses (union dues, tuition, college loans).
☐ Monthly health care expenses not covered by insurance.
☐ Monthly miscellaneous expenses (support for other dependents, subscriptions, charitable contributions, attorney fees).
☐ Monthly installment payments (car, credit card, rent-to-own, bankruptcy payments).

Affidavit 2 supporting records (property and debt)

☐ Real estate records (deeds, mortgage statements, tax assessments, or appraisals for each property).
☐ Vehicle titles and values for all certificate-of-title property (automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, boats, trailers, ATVs).
☐ Financial account statements (checking, savings, CDs, money market accounts).
☐ Pension and retirement account statements (IRAs, 401(k) plans, profit-sharing plans).
☐ Stock, bond, securities, and mutual fund statements.
☐ Business interest documentation (closely held stock certificates, partnership agreements, valuations).
☐ Life insurance policies (company, type, insured person, cash value, loan balance).
☐ Inventory of household goods, furnishings, and appliances.
☐ Safe deposit box contents and location.
☐ Other assets (jewelry, art, tools, firearms, collectibles).
☐ Documentation for any item claimed as separate property, with the basis for the claim.
☐ Secured debt records (mortgages, car loans).
☐ Unsecured debt records (credit cards, medical bills, other debts).
☐ Bankruptcy records, if any (filing date, case number, discharge date, chapter type).

Items to confirm

☐ When the local court requires the forms to be filed.
☐ Whether divorce or dissolution procedures apply to your case.
☐ Whether additional discovery requests or court orders affect the required documents.
☐ Whether any information has changed since the forms were completed.

Qualify: What These Filings Do and Do Not Tell You

Affidavit 1 and Affidavit 2 provide a structured starting point for financial disclosure. They cover the categories of information the court needs to evaluate support and property division, but they do not automatically resolve every question about the accuracy, completeness, or significance of the information reported.

Ohio’s civil discovery rules (Rules 26 through 37) provide additional tools for obtaining financial information beyond the initial affidavits. These include interrogatories, depositions, requests for production of documents, and subpoenas. The affidavits are the beginning of disclosure, not the end.

What can happen when required disclosure is incomplete or missing?

Financial misconduct. Section 3105.171(E)(4) addresses financial misconduct, which the statute defines to include dissipation, destruction, concealment, nondisclosure, or fraudulent disposition of assets. When the court finds financial misconduct, it may compensate the other spouse with a distributive award or a larger share of the marital property distribution.

Substantial and willful nondisclosure. Section 3105.171(E)(5) provides that if a spouse has substantially and willfully failed to disclose marital property, separate property, or other assets, the court may award the other spouse up to three times the value of what was not disclosed. This provision requires both that the failure was substantial and that it was willful.

These are statutory provisions describing what the court may do. Whether either provision applies, and the extent of any remedy, depends on the specific facts and the court’s determination. Not every omission or error in a disclosure form triggers these consequences.

A missing document or unexplained figure does not, by itself, establish that anyone acted improperly. There may be an ordinary explanation, incomplete information, or a need for clarification. The legal significance of a particular issue should be discussed with a qualified attorney.

For a general explanation of the process, see our Guide to Divorce Discovery. For information about what may happen when disclosure is not provided, see What Happens When a Spouse Refuses Financial Disclosure.

Route: Questions, Resources, and Sources

Frequently asked questions

Does Ohio require financial disclosure in a divorce?

Yes. Ohio Rev. Code Section 3105.171(E)(3) requires the court to obtain full and complete disclosure of all marital property, separate property, and other assets, debts, income, and expenses from each spouse. The court uses two standardized forms (Affidavit 1 and Affidavit 2) to fulfill this requirement.

What forms are used for financial disclosure in Ohio?

Two Supreme Court-approved forms are used: Uniform Domestic Relations Form Affidavit 1 (basic information, income, and expenses) and Affidavit 2 (property and debt). Both are approved under Ohio Civil Rule 84 and were last amended June 1, 2021.

What does Affidavit 1 cover?

Affidavit 1 covers basic information about each party, three years of income history including overtime, commissions, and bonuses, other income sources (disability, retirement, spousal support, interest, and others), children and household residents, and monthly expenses across eight categories (housing, living expenses, child-related expenses, insurance, work and education, health care, miscellaneous, and installment payments). A copy of the most recent pay statement must be attached.

What does Affidavit 2 cover?

Affidavit 2 covers real estate interests, nine categories of other assets (vehicles, financial accounts, pensions and retirement, publicly held securities, closely held business interests, life insurance, household goods, safe deposit boxes, and all other assets), items claimed as separate property, secured and unsecured debts, and bankruptcy history. It requires listing your own property and debts, your spouse’s property and debts, and any joint property or debts.

When are the forms due?

No single statewide deadline applies. Both forms note on their face: “Check local court rules to determine when this form must be filed.” The timing depends on the local court’s rules and any orders entered in the case. Confirm the deadlines with your attorney or the local court clerk.

What happens if financial disclosure is incomplete?

The statute provides two specific remedies. Under Section 3105.171(E)(4), the court may compensate a spouse harmed by financial misconduct, including concealment or nondisclosure, through a distributive award or a larger share of the property distribution. Under Section 3105.171(E)(5), if the nondisclosure was both substantial and willful, the court may award up to three times the value of what was not disclosed. Whether either provision applies depends on the facts and the court’s determination.

Is discovery available beyond the affidavits?

Yes. Ohio’s civil discovery rules (Rules 26 through 37) provide additional methods for obtaining financial information, including interrogatories, depositions, requests for production, and subpoenas. The affidavits are the starting point, not the full extent of the information that may be exchanged. See our Guide to Divorce Discovery for an overview.

Does this apply to dissolutions as well as divorces?

Divorce and dissolution proceedings use different procedural pathways under Ohio law. In both, the court is required to obtain complete disclosure under Section 3105.171(E)(3). The forms are the same, but the filing procedures and timing may differ. Confirm which pathway applies to your case with your attorney.

How can I organize my Ohio financial disclosure?

Start by confirming which forms apply and when they are due under your local court’s rules. Group income and expense records separately from property and debt records to match the two-form structure. Our Financial Documents for Divorce guide and the How to Read a Financial Affidavit guide provide broader organizational aids.

Resources and next steps

If you are unsure which requirements apply to your case, consider speaking with a family law attorney licensed in Ohio. An attorney can confirm your local court’s filing rules, review whether additional discovery may be appropriate, and advise on the significance of the information disclosed.

The DivorceAudit Financial Disclosure Complexity Check is an educational tool that can help you organize your thinking about the information you may need to prepare. It does not determine legal obligations or assess the merits of a case.

Additional educational resources include:

These resources are educational tools for organizing information and preparing questions. They do not determine whether a disclosure is legally complete or what a court should decide.

Primary sources and authorities

Ohio Rev. Code Section 3105.171, Equitable Division of Marital and Separate Property; Distributive Award: Ohio Revised Code, official text.
Uniform Domestic Relations Form Affidavit 1, Affidavit of Basic Information, Income, and Expenses: Supreme Court of Ohio, official form. Approved under Ohio Civil Rule 84, amended June 1, 2021.
Uniform Domestic Relations Form Affidavit 2, Affidavit of Property and Debt: Supreme Court of Ohio, official form. Approved under Ohio Civil Rule 84, amended June 1, 2021.
Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules 26-37 (Discovery): Supreme Court of Ohio, official rules.

DivorceAudit.com provides general educational information to help readers understand financial disclosure issues and organize questions for qualified professionals. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal, financial, tax, or investigative advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a qualified professional licensed in your jurisdiction.

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