Can I get spousal support right away while we wait for a court date?

Yes. In Ontario you can request interim spousal support — a temporary order that takes effect while your case is pending. Interim support is meant to maintain financial stability during the often lengthy period between separation and a final resolution, which can take many months or longer.

To get interim support, you bring a motion in family court and file a financial statement showing your income and expenses. The court does not conduct a full trial at this stage — it makes a temporary order based on the materials filed. Judges look at the financial disparity between the parties, the apparent strength of the underlying claim, and the need for immediate relief.

Interim orders do not determine what will happen at trial; they are a stopgap. However, they can be important for practical reasons — they establish the habit of payment, they are enforceable through the Family Responsibility Office (FRO), and they can form a baseline for negotiations. If you need immediate financial relief after separation, speak with a lawyer about whether an interim motion makes sense for your situation.