Family law · Costs
Separation cost split calculator.
Enter a shared bill and choose how to divide it. This is arithmetic for a split you agree on, not a rule about who must pay.
There is no single legal formula for splitting separation costs; couples often agree on 50/50 or in proportion to income. Where a court appoints a mediator, the Ontario Family Law Act has the court specify the proportions or amounts each party pays.
Inputs
Each person's share
Enter the total and press Calculate.
When this helps
Separating spouses often share the cost of a mediator, a business or home appraiser, an actuary valuing a pension, or a joint lawyer. This tool divides one bill. Choose equal for the simplest split, income-based when one person earns much more, or a custom percentage for whatever you negotiated. Each share is rounded to the cent and the second share is the remainder, so the two always add to the exact total.
What the law says (Ontario)
Under section 3 of the Ontario Family Law Act, a court may appoint a mediator the parties have selected. The court must require the parties to pay the mediator's fees and expenses and must specify in the order the proportions or amounts each party pays, and may require one party to pay everything if payment would cause the other serious financial hardship. That section covers court-appointed mediation under the Act. For any other shared bill the split is whatever you agree, and a separation agreement can record it. Costs awards in litigation are separate and decided by the court.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for mediation in a separation?
Usually whatever the spouses agree. In Ontario, where a court appoints a mediator under section 3 of the Family Law Act, the court specifies the proportion or amount each party pays and can make one party pay it all if the other would suffer serious financial hardship.
Should costs be split equally or by income?
Neither is required by law. Equal is simple; an income-based split is common when incomes are far apart. Choose what you both agree to and write it into your agreement.
Why do the two shares always add up?
Person A's share is rounded to the cent and Person B pays the exact remainder, so no cent is lost or gained.
Does this include legal fees awarded by a court?
No. This divides a bill you hold jointly. Costs awards in a court case are decided by the court under its own rules.
Can I include the cost in my separation agreement?
Yes, you can record who pays which costs and in what proportion. Have a lawyer review the wording; this tool does not draft agreements.
Sources
Checked
The mediator-fee rules are from section 3(7) and (8) of the Ontario Family Law Act. The split itself is arithmetic and has no official source. Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored.
Estimate only — not legal or tax advice
This is a calculator for a split you choose. It does not say what you must pay, draft a separation agreement or predict a costs award. Speak to a lawyer or mediator.