About OntarioSpousalSupport.com
Why This Site Exists
When you're facing separation or divorce in Ontario, you need two things:
- Numbers. How much support? How long? What's the property split?
- Context. What are the gotchas? What should I do before I file? What actually matters?
Most websites give you one or the other. Legal sites bury you in jargon and disclaimers. Calculator sites give you a number with zero explanation of what it means or what to do with it.
When I went through my own divorce, I was frustrated by:
- Calculators that didn't explain the Rule of 65 or duration ranges
- No clear guidance on what to do before filing
- Legal advice websites that assumed you already understood the basics
- Nobody explaining the gotchas—like how the separation date determines property values, or how the matrimonial home rule works
So I built what I wish had existed: calculators that work, plus the context you actually need.
The Mission
Give people going through Ontario separation the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions. No jargon. No upsells. Just the information you need to prepare, negotiate, or know when to hire help.
What Makes This Site Different
Plain Language
No legal jargon. No "whereas" and "heretofore." Just clear explanations of how Ontario family law actually works.
The Gotchas
19 articles covering the things that blindside people: Rule of 65, separation date, matrimonial home, imputed income, tax rules.
Pre-Separation Strategy
Most sites assume you've already filed. We cover what to do before you separate—when your decisions matter most.
Calculators That Work
Free SSAG-based spousal support calculator, child support calculator, and property division calculator. No email required.
Context, Not Just Numbers
Every calculator explains what the numbers mean, why the range is wide, and what factors move you up or down that range.
Actually Free
No paywalls. No "enter your email to see results." No upsells to expensive consultations. Just tools and information.
What This Site Is (and Isn't)
This Site IS:
- Educational. Explains how Ontario family law works in practice.
- Accurate. Based on the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG), Federal Child Support Guidelines, and Ontario Family Law Act.
- Practical. Focuses on the 80% of situations where the rules are predictable.
- Honest about limitations. Tells you when you need a lawyer instead of pretending algorithms can solve everything.
This Site Is NOT:
- Legal advice. I'm not a lawyer. This is educational content, not representation.
- A substitute for legal representation. If your case is complex (business income, custody disputes, international assets), get a lawyer.
- Perfect for every case. The calculators work for straightforward employment income. Complications require professional help.
- A law firm. We don't provide legal services, represent clients, or offer consultations.
How the Calculators Work
The calculators on this site use the same formulas that Ontario courts rely on:
- Spousal Support: Based on the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG), which Ontario courts use in approximately 90-95% of cases.
- Child Support: Based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines—the official tables mandated by law.
- Property Division: Based on Ontario's Family Law Act equalization formula.
The calculators handle straightforward situations accurately. They don't handle:
- Section 7 extraordinary expenses (childcare, medical, extracurriculars)
- Undue hardship claims
- Complex property structures (trusts, offshore assets, business valuations)
- Situations where one spouse is hiding income
If your case involves any of those, the calculators give you a starting point—but you need professional help to get the details right.
Data Sources
Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG): Federal guidelines developed by Professors Carol Rogerson and Rollie Thompson. Not law, but used by courts in the vast majority of cases.
Federal Child Support Guidelines: Federal regulation under the Divorce Act. Legally binding.
Ontario Family Law Act: Provincial legislation governing property division, spousal support, and related matters.
Child Support Tables: Official federal tables published by the Department of Justice Canada.
Privacy & Data
Your data stays on your device. The calculators run entirely in your browser. We don't collect, store, or transmit your financial information.
We use basic analytics to understand what pages people visit and how they use the calculators—but we don't track personally identifiable information or link visits to individuals.
See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Who Runs This Site
OntarioSpousalSupport.com is owned and operated by Big City Networks, a Canadian digital services company.
The site was created by someone who went through divorce, got frustrated by the lack of plain-language resources, and decided to build what should have existed.
We're not lawyers. We're not a law firm. We don't provide legal advice or representation. We build tools and create content to help people understand Ontario family law.
Accuracy & Updates
We make every effort to keep the calculators and content accurate and up-to-date with Ontario family law. However:
- Laws change
- Court interpretations evolve
- Your situation may have unique factors we can't account for
Always verify important information with a qualified family law professional before making major decisions.
If you spot an error or outdated information, please let us know at [email protected].
Get in Touch
Questions, feedback, or spotted something that needs fixing?
Email: [email protected]
Legal Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The calculators provide estimates based on standard formulas but cannot account for all factors that may affect your case. Consult a qualified Ontario family lawyer for advice specific to your situation.