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 Alaska, temporary orders can be issued by the court during a divorce proceeding to maintain the status quo regarding marital property, finances, and child-related matters until the final divorce decree is entered. These orders may include provisions for temporary child support, spousal support, child custody, and visitation arrangements. They can also restrict the sale or transfer of significant marital assets to prevent the dissipation of property. Additionally, if there are allegations of domestic violence or abuse, the court has the authority to issue protective orders to ensure the safety of the parties involved. These orders may limit contact between the spouses and can be enforced by law enforcement if necessary. The specific statutes governing temporary orders in Alaska can be found in the Alaska Statutes, particularly within the sections pertaining to family law and domestic relations.