Before a set schedule for spousal support payments is approved by the court, the paying spouse may be ordered to make temporary payments to their former partner. These payments are called “pendente lite” spousal support, which means pending litigation. This temporary schedule ensures that the alimony recipient’s financial needs are met during the divorce proceedings but only lasts until an official spousal maintenance order is finalized. The new spousal support contract could include the same terms as the pendente lite one but could also be much different.