Temporary Orders in Divorce

Temporary orders in divorce can be a vital tool when you need immediate relief. Once you have filed for divorce, it is usually several months before court dates are set. But sometimes, there are issues that cannot wait several months.

For example, you may not know how to divide up assets that are immediately important, like cars, or perhaps there are children involved and you and your spouse cannot agree on custody arrangements in the interim. In these situations, you should ask your Provo Divorce and Family Law attorney to file Temporary Orders.

Temporary Orders are when you request the court to determine temporary decisions that will go into effect immediately and last until the court holds another hearing or new arrangements are agreed upon by the parties at mediation. According to the Utah State Courts, the court can do this for decisions like:

establishing child custody and visiting arrangements,
providing for temporary spousal support (alimony) and/or child support payments,
ordering either spouse not to sell valuable assets, and
giving possession of the family home or car to one of the spouses.

How Do I File Temporary Orders, and What Is the Process?

To ask for Temporary Orders, you will need to come up with your proposed plan that you are asking the court to legitimize, file some paperwork with the court such as a Motion for Temporary Orders (which your attorney can do), and then attend a short, often less than 20 minutes, Temporary Orders hearing. At the hearing, the judge will:

review the details of the requests and the underlying facts,
possibly ask you some questions,
ask your spouse, if present, for his or her side of the story, and
in child support cases, refer to state guidelines on recommended support, looking at factors such as each spouse’s income and who has primary custody of the kids.

Before you can request the court for temporary orders you must complete the divorce education course and you must complete and file a financial declaration with supporting income verification. Once you have filed your Motion and these documents the court will schedule a hearing. The way that hearing gets calendared depends in part on Utah’s three-track court system under Rule 100A, which determines how quickly different kinds of motions move through the system.

Please note you cannot get a hearing quicker than 28 days from filing these documents. Because temporary orders in divorce require precise documentation and timing, it is imperative to hire an attorney to help you navigate this process to get you in court as soon as possible. If there are issues that need immediate relief, you can discuss with your attorney about filing emergency motions.

Getting Help with Your Utah Divorce Case

If you are looking into a divorce and have questions about filing temporary orders or need legal help, we are here for you. You need to ensure you consult with a competent family law attorney that understands the legalities of divorce in Utah and will help put your mind at ease so you do not get taken advantage of. At CoilLaw, LLC, Salt Lake City Divorce attorney Jill Coil knows how to advise you during a divorce to help you achieve the best settlement and result possible.

What Immediate Relief Means in a Divorce

Divorce cases can take months, but some problems cannot wait. Immediate relief refers to court orders that put rules in place right away, while your case is pending, for urgent issues like where the children live, who pays the bills, and who stays in the home. These are usually handled through temporary orders.

Temporary Orders

A temporary order is a short-term ruling that governs your situation until the divorce is final. Common temporary orders address:

Temporary custody and parent-time schedules.
Temporary child support or spousal support.
Who remains in the family home.
Responsibility for debts and bills during the case.
Protection from harassment or the hiding of assets.

To request one, you file a motion explaining what you need and why, and the court holds a hearing. A Salt Lake City divorce attorney can prepare and argue that motion for you.

When Things Are Urgent or Unsafe

If you or your children are in danger, the court can act quickly through protective orders. These can provide immediate safety measures, sometimes the same day, and can address temporary custody and contact restrictions. Safety always comes first, so do not wait if you feel threatened.

Getting Relief the Right Way

The key to immediate relief is asking the court properly and backing your request with facts. Trying to handle urgent issues informally, or taking matters into your own hands, can hurt your case. A child custody attorney can move fast to protect what matters. Contact our team if you need relief now.

What to Bring to the Court

Immediate relief is granted on evidence, not just claims, so preparation makes a real difference. Gather documents that show your situation clearly, such as pay records, bank statements, a proposed parenting schedule, and a calm written timeline of any urgent concerns. The more concrete and organized your request, the easier it is for a judge to grant meaningful relief quickly. Vague or emotional filings tend to slow things down. Your attorney can help you assemble the right proof and frame your request so the court can act without unnecessary delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast can I get a temporary order?

It varies, but courts can schedule temporary-order hearings relatively quickly, and emergencies involving safety can be addressed even faster through protective orders.

Do temporary orders become permanent?

Not automatically, but they often shape the final outcome, so it is important to get them right from the start.

At CoilLaw we are ready and available to help you through your legal action. If you need legal advice concerning a Utah family law issue and you are looking to finally get that peace of mind, call Jill Coil at CoilLaw, LLC in Utah at (801) 884-3775 today.