Can I get spousal support if we were only married for two years?

Entitlement to spousal support after a short marriage is possible but harder to establish. Courts and the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) generally produce shorter durations and lower amounts for brief relationships, but the facts still matter.

If the short marriage caused real financial disadvantage — for example, you moved cities, left a job, or gave up a career opportunity for the relationship — you may have a compensatory claim. If you have a child from the marriage and are the primary caregiver, that adds a strong basis for support regardless of how short the marriage was.

The SSAG would typically suggest a duration in the range of one to two years for a two-year marriage without children and no significant career sacrifice. However, if the recipient gave up substantial income-earning opportunities during the marriage, the court may depart from the lower end. A very short marriage where both parties are financially independent and no sacrifice was made may produce little or no support. A lawyer can assess your specific situation and give you a realistic picture of what to expect.