By Evan Weinstein
As part of the divorce process in New Jersey, you’ll be required to complete the Family Part Case Information Statement (CIS). It gives everyone involved a “big picture” view of your household finances, and NJ family courts rely on the CIS to determine how things like alimony, child support, and other issues will be settled. With all that’s riding on that document, here are four things to consider before completing your CIS form.
1: Consult With Your Family Law Attorney First
You may be tempted to complete the CIS form yourself to save money, but this could end up costing you in the end, especially if you’re not the one who handles the finances in your relationship. Consider consulting with your family law attorney first and then completing the CIS with their guidance. They are the ones most familiar with the CIS and the process for submitting and amending it should your “marital standard of living” change. Additionally, you’ll be required to swear the CIS is complete and accurate, so having an attorney’s guidance throughout the process can give you peace of mind.
2: Create Line Items for All Household Spending
If you’re not the one handling the finances in your relationship, completing the CIS may be the first time you get a real understanding of how household money is spent on shelter, transportation, and other personal expenses. Admittedly, creating a line item for each expense is tedious and time-consuming, but identifying each current and anticipated household expense ensures nothing falls through the cracks and gives you an understanding of what you’ll need to continue your lifestyle after the divorce is finalized. Consider the following:
- Credit card and bank statements. Many financial institutions can provide you with an end-of-year summary that breaks out charges by category, so you understand where and how everything is spent. Consider every monthly and annual expense you have — from groceries, gas, and vehicle maintenance to charitable contributions, medical/dental/vision insurance, and veterinary services. If saving a portion of household income in an individual or joint savings account is part of your monthly expenses, include that as well.
- Expenses paid for in cash or via a cash app. Do you pay for tutors, a household cleaning service, dog walkers, or others in cash or via apps like Venmo and PayPal? List these items on the CIS.
- Subscriptions. If you subscribe to online media streaming services like Netflix, HBO, or Disney+, as well as those needed for your own personal business or dependents’ education (i.e., Microsoft Office), note these expenses on the CIS.
- Anticipated expenses. After the divorce, will you have to purchase a vehicle, purchase a new place to live, or get your own medical insurance? Do you care for a family member who requires ongoing medical care and treatment? Outline these expenses on the CIS.
3: Identify Assets With a Premarital Component
If you have assets you acquired before you got married, like a 401(k), investment account, retirement plan, real estate, etc., include them on the CIS. Contact the company holding the assets for a statement from around the time you were married to show how much those assets were worth when you married.
4: Break Out Income You’ve Earned
If you’ve earned income while married, it’s important to break out earnings by base salary, bonus, and commissions. Lumping total income together can skew your financial picture, while breaking out income allows you to structure a variable support award. If your income is unusually low or high during a certain time of year, include that information as well, using a footnote to explain any anomalies to the court.
Although time-consuming, a complete and thorough CIS will give you a ballpark estimate on what you will need to maintain your current lifestyle after the divorce and allows you to advocate for yourself and your dependents. Learn more about how Weinstein Family Law can help you with your divorce by contacting me, Evan Weinstein, at eweinstein@familylawnj.com or (973) 403-6000.
