What Are Temporary Orders in a New Jersey Divorce?

In New Jersey, getting a divorce can take, at minimum, six months for the vast majority of couples. Depending on other factors, like your cooperation, child custody, and the complexity of your assets, this can take even longer to complete. As you may have discovered, sometimes there are matters at hand that cannot wait until the divorce has been finalized. This is where temporary orders can help. If you’re unfamiliar with how these work, you’ll want to keep reading. The following blog explores what you should know about these orders and why contacting New Jersey divorce attorneys can help you navigate these complex legal matters.

What is a Temporary Order?

Temporary orders are court-enforced orders meant to last until the divorce has been finalized. Because some matters cannot wait the entire length of the divorce process, these can help address issues like alimony or child custody that arise.

In many instances, couples may be unable to come to an agreement about how to handle issues from the minute they file for divorce to the minute everything is finalized. As such, the courts can provide a non-permanent solution until these matters can be settled in the divorce.

One of the most common issues couples will face during this time is an inability to agree on child custody before their divorce is finalized. If this is the case, a spouse can seek a temporary custody order to determine how the child will spend time with each parent until a long-term solution can be reached. These are also often issued in instances where one parent believes the child is in immediate harm or danger when in the custody of another.

Additionally, spousal support orders are common. When a couple divorces, the dependent spouse may not have time to financially prepare. As such, it can be challenging for them to get by before the final order determining alimony is signed. To combat this, the court can grant a temporary alimony order to help support the dependant spouse.

How Can Divorcing Couples Obtain Temporary Orders?

If you want to get a temporary order to help mitigate issues during your divorce, the courts require that you and your spouse try to agree first. If this is not possible, you will file a petition with the court that briefly describes your issues. You will receive a hearing date in which you and your spouse will explain your side. From there, the judge will determine the outcome and issue the order.

Because this process can be complex, ensuring that you connect with an experienced attorney from Haber Silber Russoniello & Dunn is critical to receiving the best outcome possible. This is especially true if you want to petition for temporary orders, as this can be a document-heavy process, so ensuring you have someone familiar with the procedure is critical. Our firm understands these complexities. As such, we will do everything possible to assist you. Contact us today to learn how we can help.