Spousal Support is money paid by one spouse to the other spouse to provide financial support after the parties separate. The law views spousal relationships as a financial partnership, and when this partnership breaks down, the spouse with higher income may be required to support the other in an amount relative to their respective incomes.

Spousal Support is intended to recognize any financial advantages or disadvantages that the spouses have as a result of the relationship or as a result of the separation. It's intended to relieve financial hardship and it's intended to help the recipient spouse become self-sufficient.

Whether Spousal Support is payable depends on various conditions, means, needs, and circumstances of each spouse. Several important factors come into play when making this determination:

These represent just some of the many considerations that factor into determining whether spousal support is appropriate in a given situation.

It's important to understand that misconduct by either party does not influence spousal support decisions. Infidelities or family violence do not come into play when determining entitlement or obligations to pay spousal support. The focus remains on financial need and capacity rather than behaviour during the relationship.

The first step in any spousal support analysis is determining entitlement to Spousal Support. It's crucial to discuss entitlement thoroughly before running any financial calculations, as entitlement forms the foundation for all subsequent determinations.

Entitlement to Spousal Support is not dependent on gender. This is a critical point, as gender biases around Spousal Support are common and can influence perceptions of fairness.

Since we all carry some gender biases regarding spousal support, it's important to be aware of these predispositions. If a spousal support situation feels unfair, try the mental exercise of reversing the gender roles to see how that changes your perspective.

When seeking independent legal advice, ask your lawyer for their thoughts on the situation and what they would think if the gender roles were reversed. This approach helps ensure fair and unbiased consideration.

You don't need to be legally married for Spousal Support to be payable. As long as you meet the legal definition of spouses – essentially having lived in a common-law relationship – spousal support could be payable if entitlement is established.

Understanding Spousal Support requires recognizing it as a tool for addressing financial imbalances that result from the breakdown of what the law considers a financial partnership. The system aims to provide fair support while encouraging eventual self-sufficiency, all while maintaining gender neutrality and focusing on financial circumstances rather than personal conduct.