Services During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Please be advised that in response to the threat posed by Covid-19, the offices of RV Law LLP have implemented protocol to keep the physical premises sanitized and to supply our staff with necessary personal protective equipment. For the safety and well being of our staff and the general public, we are providing services by adopting government recommended social distancing efforts and, to this end, we are meeting clients through a combination of telephone, other electronic means and in-person only when necessary.

We are confident in our ability to continue servicing all existing and new client matters during these challenging times and invite you to email or call our firm with any questions or concerns you may have.

Toronto Spousal Support Lawyers

Spousal support, sometimes referred to as alimony, can often be a very contentious issue amongst spouses who have separated. The first question to be answered is whether in fact a spouse is entitled to support and if so, then how much support is that spouse entitled to and for how long? It helps to have a strong advocate on your side to make sure your interests are protected, whether you are the payor or recipient of that support. At RV Law, we know how to handle this delicate issue no matter what situation you find yourself in, such as:

  • Short-term or long-term marriages, with or without children
  • Couples who have been cohabitating for either a short or long period of time but have chosen not to marry and may or may not have children
  • Same-sex couples in either of these circumstances

What many people do not realize is that even where a couple chooses not to marry but simply live together, they may still be opening the doors to a spousal support claim, especially where they live together for 3 years or more and throughout that time one was largely dependent on the other for financial support. While judges and lawyers commonly refer to the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines, they are not legislated and should be used as a starting point in the calculation of spousal support. The courts will look at a number of different factors in determining the appropriate amount and duration of support and these include:

  • Income level of each individual
  • Financial needs of the person claiming support
  • The employment prospects of the person claiming support
  • A person’s ability to support him or herself
  • A lifestyle that can no longer be maintained
  • The ages of the individuals, particularly the one seeking support
  • Whether there are children being cared for
  • The overall health of the individuals
  • Whether the person seeking support gave up his or her career to care for the home and children
  • Spousal abuse and control

We evaluate all of these factors when forming arguments to present to the court in support of or to oppose a spousal support claim or application for a variation of an existing order for support.

Contact RV Law

For more information regarding our family law and divorce services in Toronto, Ontario, contact RV Law and schedule an initial consultation with one of our experienced lawyers. Call our office toll free at 416-364-5200.

Don’t risk losing your rights by waiting too long to seek help. Contact us now:

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