How Much Spousal Support Will I Pay or Receive Based on Income in Ontario?

Under the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines, the amount without children depends mainly on the gap between your gross incomes and how long you lived together. The guidelines are not law, but judges often base their decisions on them. They also do not decide who is entitled to support, and an income gap alone does not create entitlement.

Under the without-child-support formula, the range is 1.5% to 2% of the gross income difference for each year of cohabitation, capped at 50% and never above the amount that would equalize net incomes. Duration is 0.5 to 1 year for each year of cohabitation, and it is indefinite after 20 years or under the rule of 65, which needs a marriage of at least five years and years of marriage plus the recipient's age at separation totalling 65 or more.

The formula does not apply mechanically at the extremes: above a payor income of $350,000 discretion is used, and incomes below $20,000/$30,000 need adjustments. Short marriages produce very limited awards, if there is entitlement at all, though compensatory claims without children and sponsorship agreements can fall outside the formula ranges. Indefinite support does not necessarily mean permanent support. The with-child-support formula works differently. A lawyer can confirm your figures.