Even if your case isn’t complicated, we need information to get your divorced. Both spouses need to understand the nature and extent of property and debts that have been acquired by either spouse during the marriage. This step can’t be skipped because Arizona is a community property state. Even if you kept your finances completely separate during marriage, everything will need to be disclosed and divided in divorce. We need income information to determine child support. Financial disclosures can be the step we need to take the case from contested, to settled.
If you’re considering a simple flat-rate divorce in Arizona, here’s what financial disclosures involve, and why having an attorney handle this step protects you from costly mistakes.
Why Financial Information Still Matters, Even When You Agree
One of the most common misconceptions in Arizona divorces is that financial disclosures are always required. That isn’t always true.
In some uncontested cases, formal Rule 49 disclosures can be waived by agreement. However, waiving disclosures does not eliminate the need for financial clarity. The court still must understand what property, debts, income, and expenses exist in order to approve a divorce agreement.
You cannot divide property, allocate debt, or determine support without accurate financial information.
Disclosures vs. Financial Clarity
Formal disclosures and financial clarity are not the same thing.
- Rule 49 disclosures are a structured, formal process and may be waived in certain uncontested divorces.
- Financial information is what allows the agreement to be drafted correctly and approved by the court.
Even in a simple divorce, accurate financial details are necessary to:
- Identify and divide property and debts
- Calculate child support
- Address spousal maintenance, even when it is being waived
- Ensure the Consent Decree is clear and enforceable
Agreement alone does not replace the need for accurate numbers.
What This Looks Like in a Simple Divorce
In many uncontested cases, full financial disclosures are unnecessary. Instead, the focus is on gathering the information needed to finalize the agreement properly.
This often includes:
The Affidavit of Financial Information (AFI)
The AFI is commonly required or strongly recommended when:
- Child support is involved
- Spousal maintenance is requested or waived
- Income is relevant to the agreement
The AFI provides the court with a financial snapshot, including income, expenses, insurance, and child-related costs.
Limited Financial Information
Rather than a full document exchange, many simple divorces rely on limited but meaningful financial information, such as:
- Income details
- Account balances
- Debt summaries
The purpose is not excessive paperwork, but accuracy.
Why Financial Clarity Matters, Even in Friendly Divorces
Uncontested divorces are often delayed or rejected not because spouses disagree, but because the financial terms are unclear or unsupported.
Clear financial information allows the court to:
- Approve the agreement without delay
- Confirm that support is based on accurate income
- Ensure property and debt are divided properly
It also protects both spouses by reducing the risk of misunderstandings or future disputes.
How a Flat-Rate Divorce Supports This Process
A flat-rate divorce includes attorney guidance to ensure the right level of financial information is gathered—no more and no less than what the case requires.
The attorney will:
- Determine whether formal disclosures are required or may be waived
- Identify what financial information is necessary
- Assist with or review the AFI, if applicable
- Ensure property and debt terms are clearly documented
- Draft a Consent Decree that is legally sound and practical
This approach keeps the process efficient while ensuring the divorce is done correctly.
Final Thought
Formal disclosures are not always required in an uncontested divorce, but financial clarity always is. The court needs enough information to divide property, set support, and finalize the divorce properly.
A flat-rate divorce balances efficiency with precision—so the process stays simple, enforceable, and free from avoidable complications.
If both spouses agree on most issues and want a straightforward divorce handled correctly, a flat-rate divorce may be the right solution.
