How is spousal support calculated in Ontario?

Ontario courts and lawyers use the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) as a practical starting point. These are not binding law but are widely applied and frequently cited by judges. The SSAG generate a range — low, mid, and high — for both the monthly amount and the duration of support.

The calculation depends primarily on the difference between the spouses' gross incomes, the length of the relationship, and whether children are involved. A longer relationship and a larger income gap generally produce higher support. If the recipient is caring for children under the Divorce Act formula, the number and ages of children also affect the range.

Courts have discretion to set amounts inside or outside the SSAG range based on facts such as health, earning capacity, the roles each spouse played during the marriage, and any existing agreements. The SSAG are a guide, not a guarantee — every case turns on its own facts. A lawyer can run the numbers for your specific situation and advise on where your case likely falls.