Maryland Divorce Financial Disclosure: Rule 9-207, Forms, and Deadlines

Financial Transparency Is Mandatory, Not Optional

Maryland doesn't let spouses hide the ball. Under the Maryland Rules of Procedure, any party requesting child support, alimony, or a monetary award in a divorce must file detailed financial disclosures with the court. And even beyond what's mandatory, the Rule 9-207 Joint Statement requires both parties to cooperatively lay out every asset and liability in the marriage before trial.

Missing these requirements — or doing them poorly — can tank your case. Courts have broad authority to sanction non-compliance, and the penalties range from unfavorable presumptions to accepting your spouse's classifications as fact.

The Two Financial Statement Forms

Maryland uses two different financial statement forms depending on the issues in dispute and the couple's income level:

Form CC-DR-030 (Short Form)

The short form is a 2-page document used when the spouses' combined gross monthly income is $30,000 or less ($360,000/year) and only child support or custody is at issue. It covers gross monthly income and direct child-related expenses — health insurance, childcare, private school tuition, and extraordinary medical costs.

Form CC-DR-031 (Long Form)

The long form runs 6 to 10 pages and is required when:

• The spouses' combined gross monthly income exceeds $30,000, OR
• Alimony, spousal support, or a property monetary award is being requested

This is the form most people in a financial split case will need. It requires an exhaustive breakdown of monthly household expenses (housing, utilities, food, transportation, health care), a detailed income statement, and a complete schedule of assets and liabilities. Every figure is signed under penalties of perjury.

For most Maryland divorce cases involving property division, the long form is the relevant document. The short form only applies to straightforward child support calculations.

The Rule 9-207 Joint Statement (Form CC-DR-033)

This is the document that creates the most anxiety — and for good reason. Under Rule 9-207, both parties must cooperatively prepare and file a Joint Statement of Marital and Non-Marital Property before trial. The statement requires:

• A complete list of every asset owned by either spouse
• The title holder for each asset
• The fair market value of each asset
• Outstanding liens or debts against each asset
• Each party's position on whether the asset is marital or non-marital
• Each party's position on the value, if disputed

The form essentially forces both sides to show their hands. You can't claim an asset is separate property at trial if you didn't assert that position in the CC-DR-033. And you can't introduce an asset that isn't listed on the statement without a very good explanation for why it was omitted.

Deadlines and Sanctions

The Rule 9-207 filing deadline is typically set by the court's scheduling order — commonly 10 days before trial. This deadline is not flexible.

Under Rule 9-207(d), the sanctions for non-compliance are severe:

• The court can accept the other party's classifications. If you don't file your positions on what's marital vs. separate, the court can adopt your spouse's classifications as truth. This is effectively a default judgment on property classification.
• The court can prohibit you from presenting evidence. Assets or positions not disclosed in the joint statement may be excluded at trial.
• The court can order attorney's fees. The non-complying party may be ordered to pay the other side's costs incurred because of the delay or obstruction.

These sanctions aren't theoretical — judges enforce them, particularly in cases where one spouse has been uncooperative throughout the discovery process.

The MDEC Restricted Information Requirement

If you're filing in a county that uses Maryland's electronic court system (MDEC) — which is now nearly every county — any document containing restricted information must comply with Rule 20-201.1. "Restricted information" includes full bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, and medical records.

For financial statements, Joint Property Statements, and tax returns containing restricted information, file two versions:

1. An unredacted copy with all numbers visible, clearly labeled "Unredacted — To Be Shielded"
2. A redacted copy with sensitive numbers blacked out, clearly labeled "Redacted"

Both copies must be accompanied by the Notice Regarding Restricted Information form (MDJ-008). Failing to comply can result in the clerk rejecting your filing or — worse — exposing your Social Security number and bank account details to anyone who pulls up the case file at a courthouse terminal.

What Documents You'll Need

To complete these forms accurately, gather the following before you start:

• Pay stubs for the last three months
• W-2s and 1099s for the last three tax years
• Complete federal and state tax returns for the last three years
• Current mortgage statements and deeds
• Bank statements for all accounts (joint and individual) — last 12 to 24 months
• Retirement account statements (401(k), IRA, pension)
• Brokerage and investment portfolio statements
• Credit card statements for all accounts — last 12 months
• Auto loan and personal loan balances
• Business profit and loss statements (if self-employed)
• Appraisals for real estate, vehicles, and high-value personal property

Organizing for the Filing

The financial disclosure process isn't just about legal compliance — it's the foundation of your entire property division case. The figures you report on these forms become the numbers the court uses to calculate your monetary award. Inaccuracies, omissions, or disorganized submissions undermine your credibility.

The Maryland Divorce Financial Split & Asset Division Guide includes a financial disclosure organizer that mirrors the structure of Form CC-DR-033 and the long-form financial statement, so you can compile your figures systematically before transferring them to the official forms.

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