During a divorce, one party may be granted temporary child custody, with the party not always being a parent of the child in question. These temporary orders are offered by the court in an attempt to safeguard the immediate health, well being and safety of the child or children during divorce proceedings. The following may petition for temporary child custody: The attorney appointed on behalf of the child; the court; either parent or any other eligible petitioner filing for removal of a guardian or restriction on parental rights; either parent. Temporary custody is often sought when there is reason to believe that one or both parents are unfit to take care of the child or children in question.