Spousal Support

Spousal support is financial support paid by one spouse to the other following a separation or divorce. Spousal support is designed to address any economic disadvantage or hardship that one spouse may experience as a result of the end of the relationship.

In Ontario, spousal support is calculated using the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG), which provide a framework for determining the amount and duration of spousal support. The SSAG are based on a number of factors, including the length of the marriage, the income of both parties and their earning capacity, their age, and the financial needs, obligations and expenses of each spouse.

For example, did one spouse support the other while they were attending medical school? Did one spouse stay at home and raise the children for an extensive period? What does the spouse need for economic self sufficiency?

Once the amount of spousal support is determined, the duration of the support will also be calculated based on factors such as the age of the spouses, the length of the marriage, and the ability of the receiving spouse to become financially self-sufficient in the future. It's important to note that spousal support is not always awarded, and when it is awarded, the amount and duration can vary widely depending on the individual circumstances of the case. 

In mediation, we will run these numbers based on each person’s income source(s) and with the child support calculations (if applicable) through the trusted and legal software of DivorceMate. We will explain options such as monthly payment versus a lump sum, duration of the payment, its amount, and help you both to negotiate efficiently.