While it is possible to resolve your divorce relatively quickly, this process can take months or even years. During this time, your family may need stability enforced by “temporary orders.” These orders are not final, but they can resolve unanswered questions on a temporary basis while the divorce is underway. If you’re curious about temporary orders, consider speaking with a divorce lawyer in Georgia.
Temporary Orders Create Stability During Divorce
Temporary orders are necessary during Georgia divorces because they provide stability while this legal process progresses. These court orders are necessary to provide quick answers to questions that remain unresolved. These questions might include:
Who gets custody of the children until we finish our custody battle? What happens to the money in our joint bank account while we tackle property division? Will I receive child support and alimony during the divorce? Who pays the attorney fees?
Without temporary orders, spouses who spent decades as homemakers or stay-at-home parents might suddenly face serious financial obligations without any way to pay the bills. Parents might also argue about where the children should stay during the divorce. A spouse could drain a joint bank account, convert the cash into crypto, and prevent their ex from ever finding the money.
How Fast Do Courts Issue Temporary Orders?
Courts in Georgia should issue temporary orders fairly quickly. This process occurs immediately after one spouse files and serves the divorce papers. You shouldn’t have to wait more than a couple of months to receive your temporary orders. If you are facing a genuine emergency, you can push the court to hold the hearing within just a few days.
For example, you might fear that your children are being abused. Perhaps you believe that your ex is carrying out complex financial transactions to conceal or dissipate marital assets. In these situations, you should discuss your options as soon as possible with an experienced family law attorney in Georgia.
Temporary Orders are Like a “Test Run”
Temporary orders give family court judges a chance to see how spouses react to certain arrangements. You can think of this as a “test run.” If you show a judge that a particular custody arrangement works in the best interests of the children, they may be more likely to make that temporary order permanent. The same basic logic applies to alimony and child support.
On the other hand, a judge might alter a temporary order based on the poor conduct of either spouse. For example, a child might obviously begin to suffer under the majority custody of one parent. A parent might also start to spend their child support on frivolous expenses rather than the basic needs of their children.
Can a Divorce Lawyer in Georgia Help Me?
Temporary orders can be frustrating and confusing, especially if you do not agree with how family courts want you to live while you wait for your divorce to become final. If you are concerned about these temporary orders, consider discussing your legal options with an experienced divorce attorney in Georgia. Contact Lankford & Moore Law at (678) 753-4529 to continue this dialogue.
