spousal support

Spousal support is money paid by one partner to the other partner after they separate or divorce. Spousal support is not automatic. The partner asking for spousal support must show that they have a legal right to spousal support.

If spousal support is paid, the partner with the higher income almost always pays support to the partner with the lower income. There are Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines that help lawyers and judges calculate how much and how long support needs to be paid. There is also an online tool that can give you a basic idea of how much and how long support needs to be paid.