What is the Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit (DRFA)?
When filing for divorce in Georgia, you are required to complete under oath a Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit (DRFA). This document is a summary of your financial situation, signed under oath – and required by Georgia law to be completed and filed with the Court in divorce and most other family law cases. A Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit will list by category all of your monthly income and monthly expenses. It will also include an itemized list of all of your assets and all your debts. This would include, but not be limited to: investment accounts, cash, retirement accounts, real estate holdings, bank accounts, installment loans and credit cards.
The Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit is very helpful for in divorce and family law cases. It provides a useful summary of the financial situation of both parties – including their separate and marital assets and debts. Also, the Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit is helpful in determining the amount of alimony one may need – and conversely – it is helpful in determining the ability of the other party to pay alimony. In addition, the Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit requires the parties to establish the expenses for visitation / custody of their children which can be used to help determine the correct amount of child support to be paid.
As a sworn statement, the Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit is often relied upon in Court as a snapshot of your financial circumstances so it is important to be as honest and accurate as possible. Look at monthly bills and expenses and put the actual numbers on there. We recommend keeping all documents on which you based your Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit numbers so they are easily accessible if your numbers are later challenged in Court.
