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Just separated
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Temporary orders: what they are and when you need one
Short-term rules for the children, the home and the bills while the divorce is in progress.
Daniel Okafor
A divorce can take months. Temporary orders set out who does what in the meantime, so everyone, especially the children, has some stability.
What they can cover
Parenting time, child support, spousal support, who lives in the family home and who pays which bills.
Agreed or decided
Many temporary arrangements are agreed between the parties and simply filed. If you cannot agree, a judge can decide after a short hearing.
They are not final
Temporary orders do not decide the outcome of the case, but they often shape it. It is worth getting them right.
This guide is general information about family law in Oregon and Washington. It is not legal advice for your situation, and reading it does not make us your lawyers. Laws differ by state and change over time.
Key points
Temporary orders cover the months before the final judgment
They can set parenting time, support and who stays in the home
Many are agreed rather than decided by a judge
Related service
Contested divorce
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