Statement of Net Worth: Definition, How to Calculate
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Quick Facts — Statement of Net Worth Lawyers
- Lawyers available: 13 estate planning lawyers
- Clients helped: 19 recent statement of net worth projects
What is a Statement of Net Worth?
A statement of net worth provides a snapshot of a person’s or business’ financial wealth. Statements of net worth are calculated by adding the value of all non-financial and financial assets owned by them and then subtracting the value of all its outstanding liabilities.
A statement of net worth is essentially a snapshot of a person’s or businesses’ financial position at any given point in time.
You can read more on net worth here .
How To Calculate a Statement of Net Worth
There are four steps to writing a statement of net worth:
- Calculate value of your assets : List your assets on a net worth statement. Using the current market value for each item, calculate the total value of all assets owned by you. Items like insurance policy also have a cash value which can be found on a schedule in the policy. Similarly, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds also have cash values that can be found on their quarterly reports.
- Calculate your Liabilities : Your liabilities should also be listed on your net worth statement. The balance owed on debts or credit cards, principle owed on a mortgage or real estate loan is considered a liability.
- Calculate the value of assets after subtracting liabilities: You will need to subtract the value of your liabilities from the value of your assets to determine your net worth. A negative net worth occurs when the total debt is more than the total assets. It is a sign that the company or individual needs to reduce their debt.
- Monitor your net worth annually: Complete a net worth sheet annually as your assets and liabilities might change or the values might change over time.
What’s Included in a Statement of Net Worth
A statement of net worth largely includes assets and debts of an individual or business. Here are some types of assets and debts that might be included in a net worth statement:
- Savings & Checking Accounts
- Investments
- Life Insurance Policy
- Retirement Funds
- Personal Property
- Real Estate
- Credit Card Bills
- Mortgage Balance
- Car Loans
- Unpaid Taxes
- School Loans
A statement of net worth will include balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements.
- Balance sheets : Balance sheets provide detailed accounting of a company or individual’s assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity. Shareholders’ equity refers to the value that will be left if a company sells all its assets and pays off all its liabilities. This leftover money will belong to the shareholders of the company.
- Income statements : An income statement shows how much revenue a company made in a certain time period. In the case of an individual, it shows the amount of money earned by the individual in the time period.
- Cash flow statements : Cash flow statements report on a company’s inflows and outflows of cash. Cash flow statements can help determine if a company generated any cash. Cash flow statements can reflect the changes over time in income statements and balance sheets.
You can learn more about preparing your own statement of net worth here .
Image via Pexels by Scott Webb
Types of Statements of Net Worth
Types of statements of net worth can differ by entity. Companies, individuals, governments and countries use net worth statements in different ways. Here are how net worth statements are used by different entities:
Companies
Net worth in businesses is also known as equity. It is based on the value of assets and liabilities at the value expressed on financial statements. If items on the balance sheet do not express their true value, the net worth will also be inaccurate. If the accumulated losses exceed the shareholder’s equity in a company, the net worth becomes negative. Net worth here doesn’t express market value of the company as it may still sell for more if traded.
Individuals
For individuals, the net worth statement refers to the net economic value or the individual’s total assets minus the liabilities. Net worth statements can help individuals determine their financial status and plan for their future financial goals.
Governments
A government’s net worth, or a balance sheet of all assets and liabilities, is used to measure a government’s strength. Most governments use an accrual-based accounting system to provide transparency. Some might utilize cash accounting to better predict future fiscal events. Consistent accounting is necessary to determine the total net worth of a government.
Countries
A country’s net worth is the total net worth of all companies and individuals residing in the company plus the government’s net worth.
You can read more on types of statements of net worth here .
When Do You Need a Statement of Net Worth?
A net worth statement can help you measure progress towards long term financial goals. It can also help you keep track of your debts. If you are building wealth, you will also see your net worth statement changing. Having multiple savings, investments and debts can be difficult to manage. A net worth statement can help see your total financial situation.
A net worth statement also contains the value of your home and contents and can help you decide the homeowner’s insurance you will need to purchase. The total of your liquid assets can also provide information on how prepared you are for an emergency. A statement of net worth can also help you analyze your retirement savings or create future financial plans.
Companies use statement of net worth to assess the value of the company. Governments and countries also use statement of net worth to assess government debt.
Statement of net worth can often be required by lenders or investors to assess risk in providing an individual or business a loan. Scholarships and financial aid applications can also require net worth statements to assess eligibility. For the deceased, net worth statements can be used to assess value of their estate when in probate.
You can read more on net worth statements here .
Get Help With a Statement of Net Worth
Do you have any questions about statement of net worth and want to speak to an expert? Post a project today on ContractsCounsel and receive bids from estate planning lawyers and probate lawyers who specialize in statement of net worth.
ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
Meet some of our Statement of Net Worth Lawyers
Alexander N.
Having overseen over $1.2 billion in transaction value, we are able to provide top-tier service at affordable rates, with much more personalized attention and fast turnarounds. After working for a AM Law Top 100 firm, I started my own firm and have been lucky enough to represent numerous conglomerates (FOX, Endeavor, etc.), promising startups, small businesses and private individuals. Our areas of expertise - Business Formations and Operating Agreements; Capital Raises and Debt Financing; Commercial Transactions; M&A; Real Estate; Intellectual Property; Employment and Hiring; Outside General Counsel; Corporate Agreements and Governance; Litigation and Dispute Resolution. We have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Marketwatch, Yahoo Finance, Variety, Business Insider, Los Angeles Magazine, the LA Times, and others. We are driven by an unwavering commitment to our clients, going above and beyond to deliver results.
"This group was incredibly responsive and informative every step of the way."
Keidi C.
Keidi S. Carrington brings a wealth of legal knowledge and business experience in the financial services area with a particular focus on investment management. She is a former securities examiner at the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and Associate Counsel at State Street Bank & Trust and has consulted for various investment houses and private investment entities. Her work has included developing a mutual fund that invested in equity securities of listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other listed real estate companies; establishing private equity and hedge funds that help clients raise capital by preparing offering materials, negotiating with prospective investors, preparing partnership and LLC operating agreements and advising on and documenting management arrangements; advising on the establishment of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs/Token Offerings) and counseling SEC registered and state investment advisers regarding organizational structure and compliance. Ms. Carrington is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in International Relations. She earned her Juris Doctorate from New England Law | Boston and her LL.M. in Banking and Financial Law from Boston University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York. Currently, her practice focuses on assisting investors, start-ups, small and mid-size businesses with their legal needs in the areas of corporate and securities law.
"Received very meaningful advice and I hope to work with you in the future."
Donya G.
Donya G.
I am a Contracts and Mergers & Acquisitions Attorney with more than 25 years of diverse legal and business experience. My practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, contract dispute resolution, and a broad range of business-related legal matters. I have extensive experience managing and closing transactions across a variety of industries, including SaaS, IT, eCommerce, franchises, agencies, and food services. I take a practical, business-oriented approach to transactions, helping clients efficiently navigate complex deals from initial structuring and negotiation through execution and closing. My combined legal, litigation, financial, and business experience allows me to deliver strategic, efficient, and practical solutions tailored to my clients’ objectives, whether in deal negotiations, contract structuring, dispute resolution, or complex business transactions
"Donya was an amazing partner and was very patient and diligent in dealing with the APA and OA. I highly recommend her as she knows her stuff, is confident, and always has your back."
Tim E.
I am a business attorney focused on providing practical, targeted legal services for small businesses, startups, contractors, consultants, and service providers. I help clients efficiently review, draft, and improve everyday business contracts, including service agreements, NDAs, independent contractor agreements, vendor contracts, commercial leases, and purchase documents. My approach is straightforward: identify the terms that matter, explain risks in plain English, and deliver clear, usable edits or drafts without unnecessary complexity. I regularly handle fixed-fee, quick-turnaround projects such as contract reviews, agreement drafting, and demand or termination letters. While I offer streamlined, project-based services for routine matters, I can also assist with broader business legal needs as they arise.
"Tim was excellent! I gave him project details (liability waiver and rental agreement) and what I needed and he produced the day he said he would with ZERO revisions needed. Highly recommend."
Michael M.
www.linkedin/in/michaelbmiller I am an experienced contracts professional having practiced nearly 3 decades in the areas of corporate, mergers and acquisitions, technology, start-up, intellectual property, real estate, employment law as well as informal dispute resolution. I enjoy providing a cost effective, high quality, timely solution with patience and empathy regarding client needs. I graduated from NYU Law School and attended Rutgers College and the London School of Economics as an undergraduate. I have worked at top Wall Street firms, top regional firms and have long term experience in my own practice. I would welcome the opportunity to be of service to you as a trusted fiduciary. In 2022 and 2023, I was the top ranked attorney on the Contract Counsel site based upon number of clients, quality of work and number of 5 Star reviews.
"Michael's expertise and judgment impressed me. I brought him in for contract advisory work, and he quickly asked the questions I hadn't considered, identified the risks that mattered, and set aside the ones I had wrongly prioritized. He changed how I understood the contract. He is an excellent advisor - highly recommended."
Tiffany O.
Tiffany received her Juris Doctorate from the J. Reuben Clark Law School, Magna Cum Laude. She is admitted to the Utah State Bar and the New Mexico State Bar. She practices in the areas of real estate, general business, business formation, employment agreements, and civil litigation.
"Overall great experience, Tiffany was very easy to work with even though we are in different time zones."
January 3, 2024
Zenaida R.
I am an active member of The Florida Bar, having successfully passed the Florida Bar Examination in September 2023. My legal career spans over seven years, beginning with extensive experience as a law clerk, where I supported attorneys and developed a strong foundation in client-focused legal work. I focus my own practice on business and estate planning matters, including entity formation, corporate governance and compliance, commercial transactions, and long-term planning for individuals, families, and business owners. My estate planning practice focuses on helping individuals and families protect their assets, plan for incapacity, and ensure their wishes are carried out with clarity and confidence. I regularly prepare wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and related planning documents, and I take a personalized, practical approach to each plan—ensuring it reflects the client’s goals, family dynamics, and long-term needs while remaining fully compliant with Florida law.
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