Pendente lite relief operates during the action's pendency, typically preserving the status quo or providing interim support. It is most common in family law but appears in receivership and injunction contexts.
The relief terminates at final judgment.
Alternative Names:
Pending Litigation|During Litigation
Why it Matters?
Interim relief is not a preview of the final outcome, since courts grant it on a preliminary record to prevent harm during the proceeding rather than on the merits. Parties treating a pendente lite ruling as predictive misread the standard. The relief also terminates automatically at final judgment, which means any continuing obligation must be incorporated into the judgment itself.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Does pendente lite relief predict the outcome?
When does the relief end?
