Educational how-to
What spousal support means in Ontario
This page is a public educational walkthrough. It is not a retainer, a court form, or a promise about your result. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.
Spousal support is not automatic
Need, ability to pay, length of the relationship, and roles during it all matter. A long marriage with one person out of the workforce is not the same file as a short relationship with two full-time incomes.
Married and unmarried partners use different statutes
The Divorce Act covers married/divorcing spouses. The Family Law Act can cover unmarried partners who meet that Act’s definition of spouse. Read the definition. Do not assume a shared lease creates a support claim.
The SSAG are guidelines, not a statute
Courts often look at the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines ranges. They are not a guarantee and they are not a form.
How you start the claim
Claim spousal support in Form 8 or Form 8A and file Form 13 or Form 13.1. Serve the other person. If an order already exists, use Form 15 to change it.
How you respond
File Form 10 and a financial statement. Attach tax returns. A refusal letter is not a defence.
Official law on this site: family-law.
Disclaimer: Know The Law publishes legal information for the public, not legal advice. Court forms, fees and filing channels change. Read the official statute text and the official form page linked from this guide before you act. We do not represent you and we do not file documents for you. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.