If you have already filed your divorce petition and there has been an answered filed the next step is usually Temporary Orders. Temporary Orders control your divorce until the divorce is final. This does not mean that you cannot do more than one temporary orders hearing, but it does mean that whatever happens at the temporary orders hearing will control your life as it pertains to your children until the divorce is final. I like to call temporary orders “a mini divorce trial” because your Utah Divorce Lawyer will argue for you and talk about evidence without actually producing it for the Court. Some items that are discussed are;
- Child Custody – the court will decide on the issues of legal custody and physical custody. It is important that if there are allegations of abuse that those allegations be presented to your Utah divorce lawyer so that they can present it to the Court.
- Parenting Plan – the court will decide what the schedule will be for your children as it pertains to where they will sleep during the week. This is important precedent to present to the Court.
- Child Support – depending on number 1 & 2 above your child support will be entered based on the incomes on your financial declaration.
- Alimony – If this is an issue the court will look at the need of the spouse wanting it, and the ability of the other spouse to afford it.
- Debt Allocation – The court will decide who will pay for what debt.
- Mediation – Sometimes the Court will tell you that you have to participate in mediation within a certain amount of days.
These are the main considerations in a temporary orders hearing. You need to make sure you are prepared with all your documents and that you present your argument in a clear fashion. At Arnold, Wadsworth & Coggins Attorneys, we offer a free consultation. If you have more questions, give us a call at (801) 475-0123.
