Pendente lite

The term “pendente lite” is a Latin phrase which means “pending the litigation” in English. It is usually used in legal contexts to describe actions or orders that are taken temporarily during a legal case, especially divorce proceedings. For example, in a divorce case, a court may issue pendente lite orders regarding child custody, spousal support, or temporary possession of property until the final resolution of the case. These orders are intended to address immediate needs and issues while the case is ongoing, with the understanding that they may be modified or replaced by permanent orders once the case is concluded.