Spousal support

Commonly referred to as alimony

A financial obligation one spouse may have to the other following a separation or divorce. Under Canadian law, the purpose of spousal support is to ensure that both parties can maintain a standard of living post-separation that is reasonable and comparable to what they experienced during the marriage. Factors such as the length of the marriage, the roles each spouse played during the marriage, and the financial situation of each party are considered when determining spousal support. The aim is to alleviate economic disadvantages arising from the end of the marriage and promote financial independence where possible.