Ontario Spousal Support Lawyers
Financial Support for Separating or Divorcing Spouses
Section 33 of the Family Law Act (FLA) and Section 15 of the Divorce Act (DA) give the court the authority to order a person to provide support for his or her dependents and determine the amount of spousal support in Ontario, Canada.
Only individuals who are married may apply for spousal support under the DA. Individuals who are both married and common law may apply for spousal support under the FLA.
Even if you are not married, you can be defined as a “spouse” under s. 29 of the FLA for the purposes of spousal support. According to s. 29 of the FLA, spouses include:
- Two persons who are married to each other;
- Two persons who have entered into a marriage that is voidable or void, in good faith on the part of the person relying on the clause to assert any right;
- Two persons who are not married to each other and have cohabited continuously for a period of not less than three years; or
- Two persons who are not married to each other and have cohabited in a relationship of some permanence, if they are the natural or adoptive parents of a child.
Find out whether you will be required to pay or are entitled to receive spousal support. Call (905) 581-7222 today for a free consultation with a spousal support lawyer in Ontario.
Determining Spousal Support in Ontario, Canada
Provided that an individual fits into one of the categories of spouse defined in the FLA, he or she may be eligible for spousal support.
The following factors are taken into consideration when determining the duration and quantity of spousal support, under s.33 (9) of the FLA:
- The dependent’s and respondent’s current assets and means;
- The assets and means the dependent and the respondent are likely to have in the future;
- The dependent’s capacity to contribute to his or her own support; and
- The respondent’s capacity to provide spousal support.
Similar factors are considered under s. 15.2(4) of the DA. These include:
- The means of each spouse;
- The needs and other circumstances of each spouse;
- The length of time the spouses cohabited;
- The functions performed by each spouse during cohabitation; and
- Any order, agreement or arrangement relating to support of either spouse.
Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines
It is common practice to calculate spousal support based on the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG). SSAG is not based on mandatory or legislated guidelines. Basically, the lawyer inputs the parties’ salaries and all relevant information such as duration of the marriage, age of the parties, which individual has custody of the children, and age of the children to arrive at figures indicating how much spousal support should be paid. The Court will look at the calculations and decide what is applicable and fair.
It is in our experience that judges will first apply the law regarding spousal support and use the SSAG to determine that this calculation makes sense. However, judges are not required to follow SSAG and there is room for discretion.
Spousal Misconduct & Spousal Support
In Ontario, the obligation to provide spousal support exists without regard to the conduct of either spouse, but the court may, in determining the amount of support, have regard to a course of conduct that is so unconscionable as to constitute a gross repudiation of the relationship (s. 33(10)) of the FLA. A repudiation of the relationship is a test with a very high threshold; therefore, the conduct of each spouse is generally not considered when determining spousal support. Spousal misconduct is not considered under the DA when making an order or interim order for spousal support (s. 15.2(5)).
Learn more about spousal support and your rights or obligations. Call (905) 581-7222 today for a consultation!
We serve Mississauga, Vaughan, Oakville, Markham, and the surrounding areas in Ontario, as well as Aurora, Newmarket, King City, and other surrounding areas in the York Region.

Meet Our Dedicated Team of Lawyers
Over a Century of Collective Experience-
Andrew Feldstein
Founder
Andrew Feldstein graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1992. Prior to focusing exclusively on family law, Andrew’s legal practice covered many different areas, including corporate commercial. One of Andrew’s fundamental objectives is to achieve those goals mutually and collaboratively, as set out by him and his client.
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Deleta Grandy
Lawyer
Deleta Grandy obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in 2012, where she graduated with Honours. She completed her legal studies at Western Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 2016.
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Jeff Hart
Lawyer
Jeff obtained his Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Studies from McMaster University before attending law school at Queen’s.
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Daphna Schwartz
Lawyer
Location: Markham Daphna Schwartz joined Feldstein Family Law Group, P.C. in 2007 as an associate lawyer. She was previously ... -
Nick Slinko
Lawyer
Location: Vaughan Nick Slinko attended York University from 2003 until 2007 where he majored in both Law & Society and ... -
Anna Troitschanski
Lawyer
Anna Troitschanski joined the team at Feldstein Family Law Group, P.C. in 2012. Prior to that, she practised Family Law at a boutique Newmarket firm. Her experience covers all areas of divorce and family law, including custody and access, child support, spousal support, and division of property. -
Veronica Yeung
Lawyer
Veronica Yeung joined the Feldstein Family Law Group, P.C. as a summer student in 2014 and returned as an articling student in 2015. Following her call to the Ontario Bar in June 2016, Veronica was welcomed to the team as an associate lawyer.
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Shana Gordon-Katz
Lawyer
Shana joined Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. as an articling student in 2017. Following her call to the Ontario Bar in June 2018, Shana was welcomed back to the firm as an associate. While completing her articles, Shana assisted with legal matters covering all areas of family law.
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Shazia Hafiji
Lawyer
Shazia Hafiji joined Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. as a summer student in 2016 and returned as an articling student in 2017. Following her Call to the Ontario Bar in 2018, Shazia returned to the firm as an associate lawyer.
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Lucy D'Ercole
Lawyer
Lucy D’Ercole joined Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. as a summer student in 2017 and returned as an articling student in 2018, during which she gained valuable experience in all areas of family law. Following her call to the Ontario Bar in 2019, Lucy was welcomed back to the firm as an associate lawyer. -
Joy Pura
Lawyer
Joy Pura completed her legal studies and obtained a Juris Doctor at the University of Ottawa. Prior to that, she completed ...