Sometimes, before a divorce can be finalized, emergency problems may arise. In emergency situations, any number of temporary orders may be obtained. For example, an unemployed spouse may suddenly be without enough money to pay bills or take care of children. He or she may go to court to request a temporary spousal support order from a judge, even though a formal decision regarding alimony or child support hasn't been made yet. A hearing concerning the temporary order can often be scheduled within days or weeks. If a child develops an unexpected medical problem, a temporary order may be made so that each parent knows how much to contribute toward the bill. If one spouse begins selling property that belongs to both spouses, such as cars, furniture, or jewelry, the other spouse may ask for a temporary order to stop such actions. If one spouse doesn't agree with a proposed temporary order, he or she may object to it at the hearing. Temporary orders are usually valid until the court holds another hearing or until the spouses arrive at their own long-term settlement through negotiation or mediation. Any temporary order may be extended into a permanent order.
