Last updated: July 2026
This page is a quick-reference summary of the numbers that come up most often in Ontario family law — the fees, deadlines, and thresholds that govern divorce, support, and property. Every figure below links to its authoritative source. It is general information, not legal advice.
| Figure | Value (Ontario, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Ground for divorce | Living separate and apart for 1 year (most common) |
| When a divorce becomes final | 31 days after the divorce order is made |
| Court fees to file for divorce | About $679 total (~$449 filing online) |
| Deadline to file an Answer | 30 days (60 days if served outside Canada or the U.S.) |
| Uncontested divorce timeline | Roughly 4–6 months once filed |
| Contested case timeline | About 12–18 months; 2+ years if it reaches trial |
| Common-law spousal-support threshold | 3 years of continuous cohabitation, or a child together in a relationship of some permanence |
| Deadline to claim equalization of property | Earliest of 6 years after separation or 2 years after divorce |
| Basis for child support | Payor’s gross annual income + number of children (Federal Guidelines) |
| Shared-parenting threshold | Each parent has the child at least 40% of the time |
The most common ground for divorce in Canada is living separate and apart for one year, under the Divorce Act. A divorce takes effect 31 days after the order is granted. Court fees to file total about $679 (around $449 if filed online through Ontario Court Services), separate from any legal fees. An uncontested divorce is usually processed in four to six months; a contested case commonly takes twelve to eighteen months, and longer if it reaches trial.
Child support is set by the Federal Child Support Guidelines, based on the payor’s gross annual income and the number of children, plus a proportional share of section 7 special expenses. Where each parent has the child at least 40% of the time, the shared-parenting calculation applies. Spousal support is guided by the advisory Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines, which set out ranges for amount and duration based on incomes and length of the relationship. Common-law partners can qualify for spousal support after three years of cohabitation, or with a child in a relationship of some permanence, under Ontario’s Family Law Act.
Married spouses share the growth in net family property through equalization; common-law partners are not entitled to equalization. The matrimonial home receives special treatment — a spouse generally cannot deduct its date-of-marriage value even if they owned it before marrying. A claim for equalization must generally be brought within the earliest of six years after separation or two years after the divorce (Family Law Act, s. 7(3)), so deadlines matter.
One year of living separate and apart is the most common ground. You can start the process sooner, but the divorce is not granted until the one-year separation is complete.
Court fees total about $679 (around $449 if filed online), separate from legal fees. Fee waivers are available for low-income applicants.
Yes. An equalization claim must generally be brought within the earliest of six years after separation or two years after the divorce, so it is important not to delay.
This page summarizes general figures in Ontario family law and is not legal advice. Figures such as court fees can change; always confirm current amounts. For advice on your situation, contact Tailor Law.