Alimony is a periodic payment from one former spouse to the other. In Ontario, the law states that commonlaw couples may qualify for spousal support, so long as they satisfy the legislative definition of the term 'spouse'.Common law spouses are defined as romantic partners who live together for longer than 3 years, or who have lived together and have a child together. The information below is up to date with the law. This tip sheet discusses alimony. Lawyer Helena Birt explains how both common law and legally married couples may have entitlement to spousal support in Ontario ,Canada. Learn what happens to your property when you divorce or separate, what you might owe or be owed and how to get support. A spouse may have to pay spousal support if such payment meets one or more of the main purposes of spousal support set out in the Divorce Act . Many people also refer to spousal support in Ontario as maintenance or alimony. You can either pay this amount in a lump sum or every month.