Spousal support is often one of the most uncertain and emotionally charged issues following separation. Many people are unsure whether spousal support applies to their situation, how it is determined, or how long it may last. In Alberta, spousal support is NOT automatic. It depends on the circumstances of the relationship and the financial realities of each person after separation.

A common misconception in family law is that child support and spousal support are calculated by simply taking a payor’s total income from their tax return (often Line 15000) and plugging that number into a calculator. In Alberta, that approach is often incomplete and, in some cases, misleading. While Line 15000 is usually the starting point, it is not always the final answer.

One of my earlier consultations in the legal profession was about how to share a pet in a divorce. For many couples, a pet is more than a possession — it’s a beloved family member. But when a relationship ends, the question of who keeps the pet can quickly become one of the most emotional issues in the separation. Unfortunately, Alberta law doesn’t always line up with how people feel about their animals.