We previously blogged about a contentious child support and spousal support dispute, in which an Indigenous father argued that band law should apply in lieu of Ontario family law where disputes involved Indigenous families. The original trial judge disagreed with the father’s position, and the father appealed further. The appeal is scheduled to be heard …
Read MoreA Vancouver based real estate agent has used the recent housing volatility and resultant impact on the market to argue that the luxurious lifestyle his family previously enjoyed was unsustainable and that his spousal support obligations should be decreased. The Parties’ Relationship The former couple began to live together in 1998 and married in 2000. …
Read MoreIn a recent Ontario decision, the court grappled with the interesting question of when it might be appropriate to terminate a prior order for indefinite spousal support. What Happened? The parties were married in May 1986 and separated in July 2004, resulting in an 18-year marriage. After separation, the husband was ordered to pay the …
Read MoreAn Ontario court recently considered a case where one party sought to terminate spousal support upon retiring. This decision looks at the various factors judges must weigh when determining whether or not there has been a material change in circumstances to justify varying an agreement for spousal support. What Happened? The parties began cohabiting in …
Read MoreAn Ontario court recently considered a situation in which a husband claimed temporary non-compensatory spousal support from him former wife, whose income had increased following their separation. What Happened? The parties began living together in 1997, married in 2000, and ultimately separated in 2013. They had three children together, aged 16, 12, and 10 at …
Read MoreA man who was ordered to pay $10 million in spousal support and other payments to his wife of 40 years, spent six months in jail for deliberately ignoring the order and, to date, has not yet complied- potentially setting himself up for another finding of contempt and more jail time. What Happened? Brian and …
Read MoreA recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision explored how courts address requests made by a spousal support payor who wishes to eliminate their support obligations towards their ex-spouse following retirement. What Happened? The parties in question were married for more than 24 years, and separated in 1990. They had one child together who, at the …
Read MoreRetirement and a Consequent Income Reduction In Schulstad v. Schulstad, the Court of Appeal for Ontario rendered a decision on an appeal of an order terminating the husband’s obligations to continue to pay spousal support and maintain life insurance for the wife’s benefit past the husband’s retirement date. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Schulstad worked as a general surgeon …
Read MoreI just read an excellent paper on retirement and its impact on the payment of spousal support which I thought might be of interest to my readers. The paper is entitled “Can a Support Payor Ever Retire?” by Jodi R Fleishman. I would be happy to provide you with a copy of the paper – …
Read MoreIn a recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Noel v. Noel), the Court awarded spousal support to Mr. Noel, finding that he was entitled to this award on both a compensatory and non-compensatory basis. Spousal Support Awards: Divorce Act and Guidance from the Supreme Court of Canada When making an order requiring …
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