You can set up spousal support through a separation agreement without needing to go to court. Under the federal Divorce Act, spousal support is most likely to be paid when there is a big difference between the spouses' incomes after they separate.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 . Find out how your case is registered with the Family Responsibility Office (FRO) to help you pay and receive support. In Ontario, the laws surrounding spousal support are designed to ensure fairness and provide financial assistance where it's due. The purpose of spousal support is to meet the recipient's needs and to assist them in becoming self-sufficient over a period of time. This article will outline commonlaw spouse rights in Ontario, including property rights, support obligations, children's rights, estate planning, and pensions. However, this is not always the case under the Ontario Family Law Act. Q: We Weren't Married, but Lived Common-Law. Can I Still Get Spousal Support?