Legal Definitions - temporary alimony

Temporary alimony is a court-ordered allowance that one spouse pays to the other spouse for maintenance and support while they are separated, while they are involved in a matrimonial lawsuit, or after they are divorced. It is also known as provisional alimony or alimony pendente lite.

For example, if a couple is going through a divorce and one spouse is financially dependent on the other, the court may order the financially independent spouse to pay temporary alimony to the other spouse until the divorce is finalized and a permanent alimony arrangement is made.

Temporary alimony is different from permanent alimony, which is payable in weekly or monthly installments either indefinitely or until a time specified by court order. It can be modified for changed circumstances of either party and terminates upon the death of either spouse and usually upon the remarriage of the obligee.