How will a judge calculate spousal support?
Under the law, every spouse – married or common-law – has a duty to be self-sufficient, but judges know sometimes that just is not possible. If you have to go to court to have a judge decide spousal support for you, the judge will look at a number of factors in making a decision about who should pay, how much they should pay, and for how long. These factors include: • your financial situation and the financial situation of your former spouse • how long your relationship lasted • what each of you contributed, both financially and otherwise, during your relationship • what the person who is asking for spousal support needs in order to become self-sufficient, such as extra training or education, and • if you have children, who has custody of them, whether one of you stayed (or is staying) at home to look after them, and whether they will need child support. (While child support is decided separately from spousal support, the amount one parent must pay to the other to support the children
