Connecticut Divorce Courts require litigants to use new versions of Financial Affidavits. This became effective January 2, 2014. The requirement applies to divorces, modifications of alimony and child support and other matters involving income and assets.
One version, the short form, is for those whose income and assets are less than $75,000.
The other version, the long form, is for those whose income or assets exceed $75,000.
The Judicial Branch has cited three reasons for using the new form:
1. It is more user friendly. Maybe – that remains to be seen. The current Financial Affidavit is a one-page document (front and back). Nice and straightforward. The new version – not so much. Even the new “short” form is 4 pages long. I think it will take some time for judges, attorneys and litigants to adjust to the new Affidavits.
2. It allows for a more accurate and comprehensive listing of finances. I think the current Financial Affidavit already provides a pretty good snapshot of one’s financial circumstances. When necessary, like in a high asset case, lawyers often created their own Financial Affidavit for a client to complete anyway.
3. Increased accountability for the filer (person completing the Affidavit). I am not sold on the other two reasons but this one I like. The certification on the current Financial Affidavit is soft: “I certify that the foregoing is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.”
The new, improved and much stronger certification contains warnings of perjury and that a willful misrepresentation of any information may result in criminal charges.
Plus any misrepresentation would be grounds to reopen the divorce judgment.