Temporary orders are the orders a court may make effective from the time a lawsuit for divorce is filed until it is resolved and the divorce decree is signed by the court. These orders are generally designed to preserve the status quo (current status) of the spouses’ marital property, finances, and children, and may include obligations to pay temporary child support, pay temporary spousal support, and provide for child custody and visitation arrangements. Temporary orders may also prohibit the spouses from selling or transferring significant marital or community property assets. If there are any allegations of family or domestic violence or abuse, the court may issue a stay-away order of protection restricting the spouses’ physical proximity to each other and the nature and means of their communications with each other.

Laws regarding the subjects and processes for temporary orders vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the family code or domestic relations code.

In Pennsylvania (PA), temporary orders are available during divorce proceedings to maintain the status quo and address immediate needs before the finalization of the divorce. These orders can cover a range of issues, including but not limited to temporary child support, spousal support (alimony pendente lite), child custody, and visitation arrangements. They may also include injunctions to prevent the dissipation of marital assets. Pennsylvania courts can issue temporary orders to protect individuals from domestic violence, which may involve stay-away orders or protection from abuse orders. The process for obtaining temporary orders typically involves one party filing a motion with the court, and the court may hold a hearing to determine the necessity and terms of the order. The specifics of these processes and the applicable laws can be found in the Pennsylvania statutes, particularly within the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 23, which pertains to domestic relations and family law matters.