Except for UIFSA proceedings pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:4-30.65 through 2A:4-30.123, a summary action for support may be brought by either the party entitled thereto or an assistance agency provided no other family action is pending in which the issue of support has been or could be raised.
In a proceeding for support brought by an assistance agency, any support that may be directed to be paid shall comply with R. 5:6A. If sufficient financial information is not available for either party, the court shall, insofar as practicable, make the support award in consideration of the amount of assistance received by the obligee.
The court shall hear and determine the matter in a summary manner on the return day fixed in the process unless it is adjourned by or with the consent of the court. If the plaintiff does not attend the hearing, the court may dismiss the complaint, adjourn the matter to a future date and renotify the parties or take other appropriate action. On its own or a party's motion on good cause shown the court may order that the matter proceed in a plenary manner as it shall direct.
Matters originating under N.J.S.A. 2A:4-30.65 through 2A:4-30.123 inclusive (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act), shall be scheduled in the same manner as other Family cases and shall be heard expeditiously.
Support orders may be enforced and proceeded upon in accordance with R. 1:10-3 and the applicable provisions of R. 5:3-7, R. 5:7-5, and R. 5:7-6.
The Probation Division may present to the court for status review any appropriate case being enforced by Probation, subject to appropriate procedural due process requirements. The court shall consider such cases and may modify, suspend or terminate a support order, close a Probation-supervised case, or take such action as the court may deem appropriate and just. Status review hearings shall not substitute for motions or applications for post-dispositional relief initiated by parties to the case and may only be used by Probation as a vehicle to manage cases being enforced by Probation. The forms and procedures to implement the provisions of this Rule shall be prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts.
An action for separate maintenance pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:34-24 shall be brought as a summary action unless designated as non-summary in nature by the Family Part Presiding Judge. When the response to the original Complaint for Separate Maintenance contains a counterclaim for divorce, dissolution of civil union or termination of domestic partnership, the action shall immediately be transferred to the dissolution (FM) docket without the need for a formal motion.
In every summary action and proceeding for support, no order shall be entered by default unless an affidavit or certification of non-military service is provided to the court, as provided in R. 1:5-7. The forms and procedures to implement the provisions of this rule shall be prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts.