Interim orders or temporary orders are orders that a judge grants or orders prior to the case being finalised.

An example of such an order is maintenance pending suit. For example, if one spouse has been staying at home taking care of the children while the other spouse is making the money, such an order is necessary to maintain the stay-at-home spouse while the divorce is pending. It may also be necessary when one spouse may not be earning enough to maintain a household on a single income.

Another type of interim order is the exclusive possession of the matrimonial home. For instance, where there is acrimony and they cannot live together under the same roof, the court might order one of the parties to remain in the house while the other party moves out.These are some of the orders that the court can put in place prior to the finalisation of the divorce.

Before an interim order is put in place, the court would take into consideration the finances of the parties before it orders any payments. The court will not order any payments without knowing the financial strength of the parties.