Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 11 NOVEMBER 2026

Can Litigation Affect A Spousal Support Recipient’s Ability To Become Self-Sufficient?

Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP
Explore more from Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP

In A.R. v. M.E.R., 2026 BCSC 1359, Justice Laurie examined whether ongoing litigation can impede a spousal support recipient's path to self-sufficiency. The respondent argued that the claimant had achieved economic independence since the original 2022 support order, but the court found that his "relentless litigation" had directly interfered with her employment, income, and well-being, preventing her from becoming self-sufficient.

CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Rosemary Gallo
Rosemary Gallo
Monica Wong
Monica Wong
Author LinkedIn connections

In A.R. v. M.E.R., 2026 BCSC 1359, Justice Laurie considered whether a spousal support recipient had become self-sufficient enough to justify terminating support. The respondent sought to end his spousal support obligation on review, arguing that the claimant had achieved self-sufficiency since the original support order was made in December 2022.

Justice Laurie disagreed. She found that the claimant had not become self-sufficient and that the respondent’s conduct had significantly affected her ability to do so. In particular, Justice Laurie found that the respondent’s “relentless litigation” since December 2022 had interfered with the claimant’s employment, income, and well-being.

Background

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Before December 31: A Cross-Border Estate Planning Check-Up For Canadian Families

Canadian families with U.S. connections face unique estate planning challenges that require regular review. This comprehensive guide examines eight critical areas—from wills and powers of attorney to cross-border trusts and reporting obligations—that warrant attention before year-end, particularly when family circumstances, asset values, or residency status have changed.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Altro LLP
Altro LLP
Article

Canada-US Estate Planning: A Complete Guide For Snowbirds And Cross-Border Families

Canadians who own US property, hold American investments, or have family members with US citizenship face a complex web of estate tax obligations spanning two countries. Without proper coordination, your heirs could face double taxation, frozen assets during lengthy Florida probate proceedings, or unexpected tax bills that consume a significant portion of their inheritance.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Altro LLP
Altro LLP
Article

Ontario Probate: A Step-by-Step Guide For Executors (Including Estates With US Property)

Ontario probate requires court certification, estate administration tax of up to 1.5%, and careful navigation of cross-border rules when US property is involved. Executors face strict timelines, fiduciary duties, and potential personal liability, while proper planning through multiple wills and beneficiary designations can significantly reduce both costs and delays.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Altro LLP
Altro LLP
Article

Estate Freeze Alert: Ontario Court Of Appeal Rules Trust Interest Is Not A Gift After Marriage

A family trust settled by a parent after a child’s marriage would normally be considered a “gift after marriage,” excluded from equalization under Ontario’s Family Law Act. In Lang-Newlands v. Newlands, 2026 ONCA 530 [Lang-Newlands], the Ontario Court of Appeal (the “Court”) held otherwise. The Court found that because the trust’s value derived entirely from shares the beneficiary already owned at the date of marriage, her interest in the trust was not a gift, and she now faces a substantial equalization payment.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson
Article

Canadian Citizenship By Descent: Canada Expands Eligibility Under Bill C-3

Many people may be surprised and pleased to learn that there is a new path to becoming a Canadian citizen. The Government of Canada passed Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025), on December 15, 2025. Before this legislation came into effect, Canadian citizenship by descent was limited to the first generation born outside Canada. For example, Emily was born or naturalized in Canada, and she could pass her citizenship to her child, Duncan, born outside of Canada.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
O'Sullivan Estate Lawyers LLP
O'Sullivan Estate Lawyers LLP
Article

The Supreme Court Of Canada Recognizes A New Tort Of Intimate Partner Violence

The Supreme Court of Canada has established a groundbreaking new common law tort of Intimate Partner Violence, fundamentally changing how survivors can seek civil remedies for coercive and controlling behavior in intimate relationships. This landmark decision introduces a legal framework that recognizes patterns of abuse beyond traditional assault claims, focusing on the cumulative nature of coercive control that strips victims of their dignity, autonomy and equality. Courts across Canada are now beginning
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
Article

How Ahluwalia And Mitchell Have Shaped The Tort Of Intimate Partner Violence

In Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia, 2026 SCC 16 (“Ahluwalia”), the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) addressed whether Canadian tort law should recognize intimate partner violence as a distinct wrong. The Honourable Justice Kasirer, writing for the majority, recognized the tort of intimate partner violence (“IPV”), concluding that existing torts did not sufficiently address the harms to dignity, autonomy, and equality caused by intimate partner violence.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Devry Smith Frank LLP
Devry Smith Frank LLP