1. A court order issued before a final judgment that addresses immediate issues or temporarily regulates matters in dispute
The judge issued a preliminary decree to freeze the defendant's assets pending trial.
O juiz expediu um decreto preliminar para congelar os bens do réu pendente do julgamento.
2. In divorce proceedings, an initial court ruling that may address custody, support, or property division before the final decree
A preliminary decree granted temporary custody to the mother until the final hearing.
Um decreto preliminar concedeu a guarda temporária à mãe até a audiência final.