Spousal Support

Many factors may affect whether a married or common-law spouse is entitled to spousal support and how much support they should receive. In the event of a disagreement over the support to be paid, we will work with you on an Application for Spousal Support. Judges must consider several factors when deciding if a spouse should get support after separation or divorce. 

Spousal support essentials :

• The Federal Spousal Support Guidelines establish the base spousal support payable in Alberta
• the financial means and needs of both spouses/partners
  
• the length of the marriage or relationship
  
• the roles of each spouse during their marriage or relationship
  
• the effect of those roles and the breakdown of the marriage on both spouses' current financial position
  
• the care of the children
  
• the goal of encouraging a spouse who receives support to be self-sufficient in a reasonable period of time
  
• any orders, agreements or arrangements already made about spousal support

Judges also consider whether spousal support is:

• to compensate the spouse with the lower income during the marriage
  
• to compensate the spouse with the lower income for ongoing care of children
  
• to help the spouse who is in financial need, if the other spouse has the ability to pay