What factors will the court consider when awarding spousal support?

Alberta, Canada


The following excerpt is from Rockall v. Rockall, 2010 ABQB 124 (CanLII):

Of their nature, a consideration of these factors is fact-driven. Each case depends on its facts. The court in Corbeil v. Corbeil, 2001 ABCA 220 at para. 3 said, when dealing with the question of entitlement to spousal support, awards of maintenance are not automatic as it “is still necessary to balance all of the objectives and consider the circumstances of the parties.”

The leading case that deals with spousal support is Moge v. Moge, 1992 CanLII 25 (SCC), [1992] 3 S.C.R. 813, which continues to provide courts with guidance when addressing these issues. The court said at paras. 44 and 47 [emphasis original]: Spousal support in the context of divorce, however, is not about the emotional and social benefits of marriage. Rather, the purpose of spousal support is to relieve economic hardship that results from “marriage or its breakdown.” Whatever the respective advantages to the parties of a marriage in other areas, the focus of the inquiry when assessing spousal support after the marriage has ended must be the effect of the marriage in either impairing or improving each party’s economic prospects. ... Fair distribution does not, however, mandate a minute detailed accounting of time, energy and dollars spent in the day to day life of the spouses, nor may it effect full compensation for the economic losses in every case.

Other Questions


What factors will the court consider when determining spousal support? (Alberta, Canada)
What factors will a court consider when determining the quantum of spousal support? (Alberta, Canada)
How has the court considered the relationship between child support and spousal support? (Alberta, Canada)
In what circumstances will a court award spousal support to a woman who has been a full-time homemaker for 25 years? (Alberta, Canada)
What factors must be considered when determining spousal support? (Alberta, Canada)
When considering retroactive spousal support for the purposes of child support, is the issue of notice, delay and misconduct relevant? (Alberta, Canada)
Does remarriage of a divorced spouse entitled to court-ordered support from a former spouse automatically justify or discharge a subsisting order for spousal and child support? (Alberta, Canada)
How has the court considered the specific circumstance of a payor spouse’s obligation to pay child support to a second family? (Alberta, Canada)
Can a court order all court-ordered sales of a personal injury property be exempt from all court ordered sales? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the relevant consideration for a lump sum of spousal support awarded to a payor who has increased her income significantly after separation? (Alberta, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.