What does a pendente lite spousal support order mean?
A pendente lite, or temporary, spousal support order is a support order that exists after a petition for divorce or legal separation has been filed, but before a final judgment of divorce has been entered. The court generally considers each party’s needs and ability to pay when setting the amount of temporary spousal support. The exact calculation for the amount of spousal support the court will order is generated by a computer program that weighs the different factors considered by the court. The court may order permanent spousal support at the time of final judgment of dissolution.
