What is a financial statement in BC family law?
Quick answer. A financial statement is a court form used to disclose financial information in a family law case. Depending on the court and the issues, it may ask for income, expenses, assets and debts, together with supporting financial documents.
In British Columbia, the Provincial Court financial statement is Form 4. The Supreme Court financial statement is Form F8. These are different prescribed forms governed by different court rules — use the form required for the court and proceeding involved.
What is financial disclosure?
Financial disclosure is the exchange and filing of financial information relevant to issues such as child support, spousal support and, in Supreme Court proceedings, claims involving family property or debt.
The purpose of disclosure is to provide financial information in a structured and verifiable form. A financial statement does not decide the legal result of a case — it records information that may be considered by the parties and the court. British Columbia's court rules identify when financial statements and supporting documents are required; the precise requirement depends on the court, the type of claim and the applicable rule.
The two main BC financial statements
Form 4 — Provincial Court of British Columbia
Form 4 is the prescribed Financial Statement under the Provincial Court Family Rules. Rule 3 states that when a financial statement is required or referred to under those rules, it must be filed in Form 4 with the attachments described in the form for the circumstances that apply. The current Provincial Court forms page identifies it as "Financial statement (Form 4, PFA713)" and provides the official form and guidebook. Read the Form 4 guide →
Form F8 — Supreme Court of British Columbia
Form F8 is the Financial Statement used in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. It is connected primarily to Rule 5-1 of the Supreme Court Family Rules, which governs financial disclosure. Form F8 is an affidavit: the person completing it swears or affirms that the information provided is true and complete to the best of their knowledge. The form contains separate parts dealing with income, expenses, property and debt; the parts required depend on the claims and circumstances identified in the rules and the instructions printed on the form. Read the Form F8 guide →
What information can a financial statement request?
Depending on the form and the parts that apply, a financial statement may request information about:
- employment and other sources of income;
- income reported on tax returns;
- benefits and adjustments;
- monthly expenses;
- real property;
- bank accounts and investments;
- pensions and registered plans;
- vehicles and other significant assets;
- mortgages, loans, credit cards and other debts;
- business interests; and
- significant expected changes in financial circumstances.
The official form — not a general webpage — controls the actual information that must be entered.
What supporting documents may be required?
A financial statement may need to be accompanied by supporting documents. Common categories identified in the prescribed forms and court rules include:
- personal income tax returns;
- notices of assessment or reassessment;
- recent earnings information;
- documents relating to Employment Insurance, workers' compensation or income assistance;
- business or corporate records where applicable; and
- other income records required by the applicable rules.
The required attachments vary by circumstances. Review the official form instructions and applicable court rules rather than assuming every listed document applies in every case.
Why accuracy and completeness matter
Both Form 4 and Form F8 require the person completing the form to swear or affirm the truth of the information provided. Use current records, identify estimates where the form permits them, and avoid silently omitting information requested by the applicable part of the form. Financial disclosure can also be an ongoing obligation — Supreme Court Family Rule 5-1 includes requirements concerning keeping financial information current and providing additional documents in some circumstances.
Is a financial statement the same as a budget?
No. A financial statement may include an expense section, but it is broader than a personal budget. It can also contain sworn information about income, property, debt and supporting documents.
Is a financial statement public?
Court-file access depends on the court's rules, policies and any applicable order restricting access. Financial statements contain sensitive personal and financial information, so you should not publish or casually share completed forms or supporting records. RepMyself does not determine whether a particular record will be accessible in an individual case.
How RepMyself helps
RepMyself can
- collect user-entered information through a guided workflow;
- organize information into the structure of the selected form;
- perform arithmetic using the information entered;
- identify incomplete fields or technical inconsistencies;
- assemble the completed form and supporting schedules; and
- provide neutral explanations of form terminology and document categories.
RepMyself does not
- decide whether Form 4 or Form F8 is legally required in a case;
- decide how property, debt or income should be legally characterized;
- determine whether information is true;
- select a litigation position;
- provide legal advice or predict what a court will decide; or
- act as a lawyer or representative.
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The key distinction is the court:
- Form 4 is the Provincial Court financial statement.
- Form F8 is the Supreme Court financial statement.
The forms are not interchangeable — they have different structures and are governed by different rules. Check the heading on existing court documents, the official court forms pages and the applicable court rules. Court registry staff may provide procedural information but do not give legal advice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong court's form — Form 4 and Form F8 have similar purposes but belong to different courts.
- Working from an outdated copy — use the current form from the Province of British Columbia court forms page or the current form contained in the applicable rules.
- Leaving calculations until the end — gather records first and reconcile income, expenses, assets and debts against the documents used.
- Assuming every section applies — read the form instructions and applicable rule carefully; different claims can require different parts.
- Forgetting supporting documents — the form and rules may require supporting records in addition to the completed financial statement.
- Treating the form as legal advice — a financial statement records information; it does not tell you what position to take or how a court will classify disputed facts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need a financial statement in a BC family case?
No. The requirement depends on the court, the claims and the applicable rules. The official form instructions and court rules should be checked.
Can I use Form F8 in Provincial Court?
No. Form F8 is a Supreme Court form. Provincial Court uses Form 4 when a financial statement is required under the Provincial Court Family Rules.
Can I use Form 4 in Supreme Court?
No. Supreme Court financial disclosure is governed by the Supreme Court Family Rules and uses Form F8 where that form is required.
Does the form need to be sworn or affirmed?
Both forms contain a sworn or affirmed statement. Follow the signing instructions on the current official form. Do not sign a sworn document prematurely if it must be signed before an authorized commissioner.
Can RepMyself tell me which assets are family property or excluded property?
No. RepMyself may explain general terminology and organize information selected by the user, but it does not decide legal classification in an individual case.
Official sources
- Provincial Court Family Rules, B.C. Reg. 120/2020 (incl. Rule 3 and Form 4) — bclaws.gov.bc.ca/…/120_2020
- Province of British Columbia — Provincial family forms — gov.bc.ca — Provincial family forms
- Supreme Court Family Rules, B.C. Reg. 169/2009 (incl. Rule 5-1) — bclaws.gov.bc.ca/…/169_2009_01
- Province of British Columbia — Supreme Court family forms — gov.bc.ca — Supreme Court family forms
This page provides general legal information for British Columbia. It does not provide legal advice, determine which form a person must file, or apply legal rules to individual facts. Sources confirmed current as of July 2026; always check the current official form before filing.