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Unlike an obligation to support a child, there is no guaranteed obligation that one spouse must support the other. However, if you were in a relationship that qualifies as a spousal relationship, you must face the possibility that you might have to pay support when your relationship ends.
The ''Divorce Act'' deals only with married spouses.
The ''Family Law Act'' defines as spouse as including:
*Sign a cohabitation agreement (if you're not planning on getting married) or a marriage agreement (if you're getting married) that requires each of you gives up the right to make a claim for spousal support in the event that your relationship ends. Remember, this agreement must not only be fair at the time it is executed, it must also be fair at the time it comes into effect.
During the relationship, you can guard against causing or allowing your spouse to become financially dependent:*Make sure that your spouse never leaves the paid work force. *If you have a child, make sure that you're the one who stays home to care for the baby or make sure that your spouse returns to work as soon as is humanly possible.
*Make sure that your spouse or partner never sacrifices a job opportunity to care for the family, such as passing up a promotion, going to part-time work, or leaving work altogether.
{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[David Dundee]] and [[Thomas Wallwork]], May 9June 23, 2017}}
{{JP Boyd on Family Law Navbox|type=how}}