Spousal Maintenance
Ongoing Support Post-Separation
Spousal maintenance is the ongoing financial support of one spouse to the other following separation. Unlike capital assets, it focuses on income needs, and there is no automatic entitlement to it.
For some, spousal maintenance provides essential stability during a period of transition — allowing time to adjust, retrain, or re-establish financial independence. For others, it may not be necessary at all.
Where maintenance is appropriate, careful thought is given to how it is structured. Payments may be time-limited, reduce over time, or be avoided altogether through alternatives such as a clean break. The aim is not to create dependency, but to support stability and long-term confidence.
Early advice is important, as decisions made or precedents set at the outset can have lasting implications. Addressing spousal maintenance early helps shape realistic and sustainable arrangements for the future.
