Family law
Financial disclosure
Also called mandatory disclosure
The required exchange of information about what each spouse owns, owes, earns and spends in a divorce or legal separation.[1]
In more detail
In California, both spouses must share this information, usually within 60 days of filing, with documents like pay stubs and tax returns; the forms go to the other spouse, not the court.[1] Hiding information can lead to losing property or paying the other side's fees.[1] Mediators usually ask for the same documents.
Varies by state
Disclosure forms and deadlines differ by state. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- Marital settlement agreementA written agreement in which divorcing spouses record how they've settled issues such as property, debts, support and, often, parenting.
- Uncontested divorceA divorce in which the spouses agree on all the issues, such as property, support and children, so a judge doesn't have to decide them.
- Equitable distributionThe way many states divide marital assets and debts in a divorce: fairly, which isn't always equally.
Read next on MediationList
Sources
The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.
General information, not legal advice. MediationList is not a law firm. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Cite this page
MediationList. (2026, October 28). Financial disclosure: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/financial-disclosure/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.