In an action affecting the family pending in appellate court, an allowance for suit money, counsel fees, or disbursements in the court or for temporary maintenance or support payments to the spouse or the children during the pendency of the appeal may be made by the proper trial court upon motion made and decided after entry of the order or judgment appealed from and prior to the return of the record to appellate court. If the allowance is ordered before the appeal is taken, the order shall be conditioned upon the taking of the appeal and is not effective until the record is transmitted to appellate court.
Wis. Stat. § 767.273
2005 Wis. Act 443 contains explanatory notes.