BC Form 4 Financial Statement Explained

Why this guide exists

I went through the BC family-law process myself and found the forms much harder to understand than they needed to be. Once I understood what each form was actually asking for, the process became much easier to manage. These guides explain the forms in plain English.

Based on lived experience and checked against current official BC forms and rules. Not legal advice.

What this form is really for

Form 4 is required in many support situations. The Provincial Court Family Rules specifically require it for spousal-support claims and in child-support cases where income information must be provided. A replying party may also need it when the application involves support.

Do not use it like this: You may not need every part of Form 4 in every case. The form has six different parts and says the parts you complete depend on your situation. Do not fill sections just because they exist if the instructions/guide say they do not apply.

Cover page — What are you disclosing?

Check the categories you are actually providing: income, expenses/debts, assets, special or extraordinary expenses, household income, and/or undue hardship. This page is also the sworn statement that the disclosure is complete to the best of your knowledge.

Part 1 — Income

This is more than writing your salary. It asks for recent tax returns and notices of assessment/reassessment and proof of current income from the sources that apply. The form uses gross amounts before tax/deductions in the monthly income section.

Part 2 — Expenses and debts

This is used when the case requires a picture of your monthly spending and debt obligations. Use real numbers you can explain rather than guesses that cannot be supported.

Part 3 — Assets

List the assets required by the form. Read the instructions carefully about values and ownership instead of assuming the court only cares about income.

Part 4 — Special or extraordinary expenses

This is where child-related section 7-type expenses may be set out when applicable. Keep receipts/records organized so the number on the form can be traced back to something concrete.

Parts 5–6 — Household income / undue hardship

These sections only apply in certain circumstances. They can matter when an undue-hardship argument or household-standard-of-living analysis is actually in play.

Signing

The form specifically warns you not to sign it in advance. It is sworn or affirmed before a commissioner for taking affidavits.

Common mistakes to watch for

Signing before you are in front of the commissioner.
Providing one current pay stub but ignoring the tax-return/NOA documents the form asks for.
Using after-tax take-home income where the form asks for gross income.
Leaving income sources out because they are not ordinary employment income.
Assuming the same parts are required for every support case.

What happens after you fill it out?

1. Finish the parts that actually apply to your support issue and attach the documents the form calls for. Form 4 is a sworn financial statement, so do not sign the oath/affirmation section until you are before a person authorized to take it.

2. File it with the application or reply when the Rules require it. In support cases, Form 4 often forms part of the same filing package as Form 3 or Form 6.

3. Make sure the other side receives the financial material when service/disclosure rules require it. A financial statement without the required supporting documents may not give the court the information it needs.

4. Keep a complete copy and be ready to update financial information if the case continues. Support decisions depend on reliable current income information. If your circumstances change or the court requires newer disclosure, the older statement may not be enough on its own.