"How much will I pay?" or "How much will I get?"
Fair enough. But here's what the other calculators don't tell you: the number is just the start. What matters is understanding what that number means, why the range is so wide, and what you can actually do about it.
This calculator gives you the SSAG estimate. Then I'll explain what's really going on.
What Is the SSAG? (And Why Should You Care?)
SSAG stands for the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines. It's the formula Ontario courts use to calculate spousal support. Not a law—guidelines. But judges use them roughly 90% of the time, so they're about as close to "the number" as you're going to get.
Here's what that actually means: the SSAG looks at both incomes, how long you were together, and whether you have kids. Then it spits out a range—a low end and a high end.
That range is intentionally wide. More on why in a minute.
How the Calculator Works
Our calculator uses the actual SSAG formulas. There are two:
Without Children (The Simpler One)
If you don't have dependent kids, the formula is straightforward:
- Amount: 1.5% to 2% of the income difference, multiplied by years together
- Duration: Half a year to one year of support for each year you were married
So if you were together 10 years and there's a $50,000 income gap:
- Low end: $50,000 × 15% = $7,500/year ($625/month)
- High end: $50,000 × 20% = $10,000/year ($833/month)
- Duration: 5 to 10 years
The caps are 37.5% at the low end and 50% at the high end—so even a 30-year marriage tops out there.
With Children (More Complicated)
When kids are involved, everything changes. The formula switches to something called Individual Net Disposable Income (INDI).
In plain English: they look at what each person actually has to live on after taxes, child support, and government benefits. The goal is to get the lower-earning spouse to somewhere between 40-46% of the combined household income.
Why the different approach? Because child support comes first. Always. Spousal support gets calculated on top of that, and the formula has to account for the fact that child support already shifted some money around.
The gotcha here: if you have shared custody (roughly 50/50), they target 50% INDI instead—essentially trying to equalize both households.
The Rule of 65: The Duration Gotcha
This is the thing nobody explains clearly until it's too late.
Add your age at separation plus the years you were together. If that number is 65 or higher (and you were together at least 5 years), support might be indefinite.
Not "a few years." Indefinite.
The other trigger: if you were together 20+ years, it's also indefinite regardless of age.
Indefinite doesn't mean forever—it means there's no set end date. It can be reviewed and changed later. But it's a very different conversation than "support for 5 years."
However, for the rule of 65 to apply, there is a 5 year minimum cohabitation/marriage requirement.
Read the full Rule of 65 guide → (includes when it can end, strategic timing, and what "indefinite" actually means for your life)
Why Is the Range So Wide?
You'll notice the calculator gives you a low and high estimate. Sometimes they're pretty far apart. That's not a bug—it's how SSAG works.
The range exists because every situation is different. Where you land within that range depends on:
- How long you were together (longer = higher in range)
- Who stayed home with kids (primary caregiver often gets higher)
- Whether the lower earner sacrificed their career (gave up a job to move, support spouse's career, etc.)
- Age and health (older or health issues = harder to become self-sufficient)
- Whether the lower earner is actively trying to increase income (or not)
Courts have discretion to land anywhere in the range—or even outside it in exceptional cases.
The honest truth: two people with identical incomes and years married can end up with very different support amounts based on their specific circumstances.
What the Calculator Can't Tell You
Here's what I wish someone had told me: the calculator gives you a starting point, not the final answer.
Things that affect your actual number:
- Self-employment income — If either of you is self-employed or has a corporation, "income" gets complicated fast. The court doesn't just look at your tax return. They look at retained earnings, dividends, personal expenses run through the business, the whole picture. This is one of those gotchas that blindsides people. Read the full self-employed income guide →
- Imputed income — If your ex isn't working but could be (or is deliberately underemployed), the court can "impute" income—basically saying "you could earn $X, so we're calculating support as if you do." Works both ways.
- Your specific judge — Judges have discretion. Same facts, different judges, sometimes different outcomes. It's not perfectly predictable.
- What you negotiate — Most divorces settle. The SSAG gives you the framework, but what you actually agree to in mediation or negotiation is up to you.
Calculator vs. Reality: What to Expect
The calculator estimate is typically within 10-15% of what you'd see in court. But here's the range of outcomes I've seen:
- Dead-on accurate — When incomes are straightforward (T4 employees), no complications, both parties reasonable
- Significantly different — When there's business income, hidden assets, imputed income disputes, or unusual circumstances
- Negotiated differently — When one party trades support for property, or agrees to a lump sum instead of monthly payments
Use the calculator to understand the ballpark. Then talk to someone who knows your specific situation.
Before You File: What Actually Matters
Here's the strategic stuff nobody mentions on other calculator sites:
Income timing matters. The date of separation locks in a lot of things. If you're about to get a big raise or bonus, that's relevant. If your ex is about to retire, that's relevant. I'm not saying manipulate anything—I'm saying understand what you're working with.
Documentation matters. Start gathering financial documents early. Tax returns (3 years), pay stubs, bank statements, investment accounts, business financials if applicable. The more complete your picture, the better your negotiating position.
The range is negotiable. SSAG is guidelines, not law. You can agree to anything you both sign off on. Sometimes trading property for support makes sense. Sometimes a lump sum makes sense. Know your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this calculator?
It uses the actual SSAG formulas that Ontario courts apply. For straightforward situations (both people are employees with clear income), it's quite accurate. For complicated situations (self-employment, business income, unusual circumstances), treat it as a starting point.
Is spousal support mandatory in Ontario?
No. There's no automatic right to spousal support. One spouse has to demonstrate entitlement—usually by showing they sacrificed earning potential for the marriage, or that there's significant income disparity. The calculator assumes entitlement exists; that's a separate question.
Can we agree to a different amount than the calculator shows?
Yes. Separation agreements can specify any amount both parties agree to. Courts generally respect what adults negotiate, as long as it's not wildly unfair and both sides had independent legal advice.
How long does spousal support last?
Duration depends on how long you were together, your ages, and whether the Rule of 65 applies. The general formula is 0.5 to 1 year of support for each year of marriage—but indefinite support is possible for long marriages or when Rule of 65 kicks in.
Does child support affect spousal support?
Yes, significantly. When there's child support involved, the spousal support formula changes completely. Child support always gets calculated first, and spousal support is adjusted to account for it.
What if my ex is hiding income?
This is where you need professional help. Courts can impute income, subpoena financial records, and look at lifestyle evidence. But you'll need someone who knows what documents to request and how to argue the case.
Next Steps
If you're just exploring: Run the calculator, understand the ballpark, read about the gotchas that might apply to you (Rule of 65, self-employment, imputed income).
If you're getting serious: Gather your financial documents, understand both incomes clearly, and consider at least a consultation with a family lawyer. The calculator gives you the framework; a professional helps you understand your specific situation.
If you're already in the process: Use the calculator to check your lawyer's numbers. Auditing makes sense. But don't assume the calculator is more accurate than someone who knows your whole situation.
The goal isn't just a number. It's understanding what that number means for your life, how it might change, and what you can actually do about it.
That's what the other calculators don't give you. That's what we're here for.