How does spousal support work if one of us is very wealthy?

The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) are designed for typical income ranges, and above a certain income level they become less useful because the amounts they produce may exceed what is needed to meet the support objectives. Courts retain broad discretion to award amounts that are appropriate given the specific facts of a high-income case.

For high-net-worth separations, courts look at the standard of living established during the marriage and what is reasonably needed to sustain a comparable (though not necessarily identical) lifestyle. The "reasonable needs" of the recipient — not an uncapped share of the wealthy spouse's income — generally set the upper limit. However, what is "reasonable" after a long marriage in a high-income household can itself be substantial.

Asset division and spousal support interact closely in high-value cases. If a recipient receives significant assets in the property division, that may reduce or eliminate the need for ongoing support. Courts consider the full financial picture: liquid assets, investment income, and pension entitlements all count. In high-net-worth cases, having specialized legal and financial advice — including both a family lawyer experienced with complex matters and an accountant — is particularly important.