The amount of spousal support to be paid and the duration that it should be paid for is often determined using the [[Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines]]. The Advisory Guidelines are not a law like the [[Child Support Guidelines]] and are not mandatory. In fact, the ''[[Divorce Act]]'' doesn't even mention the Advisory Guidelines. However, the courts of British Columbia and the rest of Canada routinely rely on the Advisory Guidelines when making decisions about spousal support. The Advisory Guidelines cannot be ignored if you are asking for, or are being asked to pay, spousal support.

#the income of the payor, the person paying spousal support, and the income of the recipient, the person receiving spousal support;