1. Figure out how much you each make

You need to calculate your and your partner's gross annual income. Gross income means income before taxes and most other deductions. There are two ways to find this amount:

1. Look at line 150 of the income tax return or notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.
2. Look at pay stubs for a full year and add up the earnings before deductions.

You and your partner must share detailed information about all sources of income. This is called financial disclosure. It can include:

• income tax returns and notices of assessment
• pay stubs or statements from employers
• financial statements of any business you own
• statements from employment insurance, social assistance, a pension, or worker's compensation
• proof of income from a trust

It's very important that you both share complete and honest information.

You can do this in many ways. For example, you could use a computer spreadsheet or a handwritten document that has all your financial information including property, assets, and debts.

Or, you can fill out one of the financial statement court forms. Many people use these forms even if they don't go to court. The forms can be useful because they show you what the court looks at when deciding support. There are two forms:

1. Form 13: Financial Statement (Support Claims): Use this form if you or your partner are asking only for child support, spousal support, or both child support and spousal support. Don't use it if you need to divide property.
2. Form 13.1: Financial Statement (Property and Support Claims): Use this form if you or your partner have to divide property. You and your partner may also be asking for support.

Sometimes financial documents do not show the whole picture of what a partner makes or could be making. This can be because they are hiding income.