The Statement of Means is a document that sets out the financial position of the parties to a case. The judge is then given a copy of each statement so that they can reach a decision based on the information provided.
To download the blank Statement, CLICK on this link:- Template Statement of Means 2025
When you are completing your Statement of Means, you will need to include details of your income and expenses together with a list of your assets and liabilities. The form has 4 separate sections – Sections A, B, C and D.
Section A
In Section A you need to complete your personal details ie your name and address. If you have been given the Case Number then you can insert it (but it is not necessary to do so). You also need to insert the name of the applicant and the respondent. The person who is bringing the application is called “the applicant” and the other party is called “the respondent”.
When you are completing the Statement, you need to insert the weekly amount paid. If you pay a bill on a weekly basis then this is the figure that you must insert into the Statement. If you pay a bill every fortnight then you must divide the figure by two to get the weekly figure. If you pay it every month then you should divide it by four to get the weekly figure. These directions are set out in the Statement.
Section B
The next part of the Statement deals with your income. You will need to insert the amount of money that you receive every week. So this will include your wages, child allowance and any information that you receive from a pension. If you have any other income then you should insert it into the Statement. Once you have inserted details of your income, you should add them up and put the total into the form.
You will then move on to the section of the Statement that deals with your expenses. Once again, this section must be completed on a weekly basis. You should include everything that you spend in the week, and take some time to think about the costs that you have. Everything should go into the Statement of Means so that it can be considered on the hearing date. The expenses are divided into a number of headings – Housing, Utilities, Personal, Child, Transport and Other.
You should then add up your expenses and insert it as a total at the bottom of this section.
Section C
You will then move on to Section C, which deals with your assets and liabilities. In the first part of this section you should insert any assets that you own. These will include things like a house or other property, cars, savings and pensions. If you have any investment stocks or shares, then they should be included in this section. Once you have inserted your assets, you should total their value and insert it into the form.
You will then move on to the section that deals with your liabilities. Liabilities are debts that you have so they will include things like rent, mortgage repayments, car loans or credit card debt. Fill out this section and then insert the total liabilities that you have at this time.
Section D
Once you have completed the Statement, you are ready to sign and date it.
Once you have completed the Statement of Means, you will leave it with the Court Office so that it can be placed on your file.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- You will need to be able to prove the items on the Statement. So, if you are saying that you pay the sum of €10 per week for electricity, you will need to bring the bank statement for the account that you use to pay it. If you are including wages as part of your income, you will need to bring payslips to prove this.
- If there has been any change in your circumstances by the time the hearing comes around, eg, you have lost your job, you should tell your solicitor so that they can include this in your case.
- If you have been paying for clothes etc then you should bring the receipt with you to Court. If you have any paid any sums in cash, you should keep a diary of payments so that your solicitor can show it to the judge in Court.
Documents for Court
You will need to bring some documents with you so that you can prove that the figures are correct. The documents needed are as follows:-
- Six months’ pay slips if applicable.
- Evidence of social welfare payments for the past year.
- Six months’ statements for bank accounts, credit accounts, Revolut or any other financial institution.
- A list of your assets and liabilities.
- Six months’ statements for payment of your mortgage,
- Six months’ statements for payment of any other loan.
To download the blank Statement, CLICK on this link:- Template Statement of Means 2025
If you need any more information, or if you need representation for an upcoming Court date, complete the form below and we will contact you OR call us direct on (087) 6851596.