1.As used in this act:

"Child" means a person, whether over or under the age of majority, who is or is alleged to be owed a duty of support by the person's parent or who is or is alleged to be the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent.

"Child support order" means a support order for a child, including a child who has attained the age of majority under the law of the issuing state.

"Duty of support" means an obligation imposed or imposable by law to provide support for a child, spouse, or former spouse, including an unsatisfied obligation to provide support.

"Home state" means the state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as parent for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the time of filing of a complaint or comparable pleading for support and, if a child is less than six months old, the state in which the child lived from birth with any of them. A period of temporary absence of any of them is counted as part of the six-month or other period.

"Income" for the purposes of enforcing a support order, means, but is not limited to, commissions, salaries, earnings, wages, rent monies, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, any legal or equitable interest or entitlement owed that was acquired by a cause of action, suit, claim or counterclaim, insurance benefits, claims, accounts, assets of estates, inheritances, trusts, federal or State income tax refunds, homestead rebates, State lottery prizes, casino and racetrack winnings, annuities, retirement benefits, veteran's benefits, union benefits, or any other earnings or other periodic entitlements to money from any source and any other property subject to withholding for child support pursuant to State law.

For the purposes of establishing a support order, income is defined pursuant to the child support guidelines in Appendix IX of the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey.

"Income-withholding order" means an order or other legal process directed to an obligor's employer as defined by the "New Jersey Child Support Improvement Act," P.L.1998, c.1 (C.2A:17-56.7a et al.) to withhold support from the income of the obligor.

"Initiating state" means a state from which a proceeding is forwarded or in which a proceeding is filed for forwarding to a responding state under this act or a law or procedure substantially similar to this act, or under a law or procedure substantially similar to the "Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act," or the "Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act."

"Initiating tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in an initiating state.

"Issuing state" means the state in which a tribunal issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage.

"Issuing tribunal" means the tribunal that issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage.

"Law" includes decisional and statutory law, and rules and regulations having the force of law.

"Obligee" means an individual to whom a duty of support is or is alleged to be owed or in whose favor a support order has been issued or a judgment determining parentage has been rendered; a state or political subdivision to which the rights under a duty of support or support order have been assigned or which has independent claims based on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee; or an individual seeking a judgment determining parentage of the individual's child or providing for the support of a child.

"Obligor" means an individual, or the estate of a decedent who owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support; who is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a parent of a child; or who is liable under a support order.

"Register" means to record a support order or judgment determining parentage in the registering tribunal.

"Registering tribunal" means a tribunal in which a support order is registered.

"Responding state" means a state in which a proceeding is filed or to which a proceeding is forwarded for filing from an initiating state under this act or a law substantially similar to this act, or under a law or procedure substantially similar to the "Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act," or the "Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act."

"Responding tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in a responding state.

"Spousal-support order" means a support order for a spouse or former spouse of the obligor.

"State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. State includes:

a.an Indian tribe; and

b.a foreign jurisdiction that has enacted a law or established procedures for issuance and enforcement of support orders which are substantially similar to the procedures under this act or the procedures under the "Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act," or the "Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act."

"State IV-D agency" means the Department of Human Services.

"Support enforcement agency" means a public official or agency authorized to seek: enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support; establishment or modification of child support; determination of parentage; or to locate obligors or their assets. In this State, the Probation Division shall be the support enforcement agency.

"Support order" means a judgment, decree, or order, whether temporary, final, or subject to modification, for the benefit of a child, a spouse, or a former spouse, which provides for monetary support, health care coverage, arrearages, or reimbursement, and may include related costs and fees, interest, income withholding, attorney's fees, and other relief.

"Tribunal" means a court, administrative agency, or quasi-judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to determine parentage.

L.1998, c.2, s.1.

2A:4-30.66 Tribunal designated.

2.The Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part is the tribunal of this State.

L.1998, c.2, s.2.

2A:4-30.67 Remedies provided deemed cumulative.

3.Remedies provided by this act are cumulative and do not affect the availability of remedies under other law.

L.1998, c.2, s.3.

2A:4-30.71 Establishment of support order, jurisdictional basis.

7. a. A tribunal of this State may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the complaint, petition or comparable pleading is filed after a complaint or comparable pleading is filed in another state only if:

(1)the complaint, petition or comparable pleading in this State is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state;

(2)the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state; and

(3)if relevant, this State is the home state of the child.

b.A tribunal of this State may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the complaint, petition or comparable pleading is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state if:

(1)the complaint, petition or comparable pleading in the other state is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this State for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this State;

(2) the contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this State; and

(3)if relevant, the other state is the home state of the child.

L.1998,c.2,s.7.

2A:4-30.72 Continuing exclusive jurisdiction of tribunal; exceptions; modifications.

8. a. A tribunal of this State issuing a support order consistent with the law of this State has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a child support order:

(1)as long as this State remains the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued; or

(2)until all of the parties who are individuals have filed written consents with the tribunal of this State for a tribunal of another state to modify the order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

b.A tribunal of this State issuing a child support order consistent with the law of this State may not exercise its continuing jurisdiction to modify the order if the order has been modified by a tribunal of another state pursuant to this act or a law substantially similar to this act.

c.If a child support order of this State is modified by a tribunal of another state pursuant to this act or a law substantially similar to this act, a tribunal of this State loses its continuing, exclusive jurisdiction with regard to prospective enforcement of the order issued in this State and may only:

(1)enforce the order that was modified as to amounts accruing before the modification;

(2)enforce nonmodifiable aspects of that order; and

(3)provide other appropriate relief for violations of that order which occurred before the effective date of the modification.

d.A tribunal of this State shall recognize the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of a tribunal of another state which has issued a child support order pursuant to this act or a law substantially similar to this act.

e.A temporary support order issued ex parte or pending resolution of a jurisdictional conflict does not create continuing, exclusive jurisdiction in the issuing tribunal.

f.A tribunal of this State issuing a support order consistent with the law of this State has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order throughout the existence of the support obligation. A tribunal of this State may not modify a spousal support, custody visitation, or non-child support provisions of an order issued by a tribunal of another state having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order under the law of that state.

L.1998,c.2,s.8.

2A:4-30.73 Powers of initiating, responding tribunals.

9. a. A tribunal of this State shall serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce or modify a support order issued in that state.

b.A tribunal of this State having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce or modify the order. If a party subject to the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunal no longer resides in the issuing state, in subsequent proceedings the tribunal may apply section 28 of this act to receive evidence from another state and section 30 of this act to obtain discovery through a tribunal of another state.

c.A tribunal of this State which lacks continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may not serve as a responding tribunal to modify a spousal support order of another state.

L.1998,c.2,s.9.

2A:4-30.74 Recognition of orders by tribunals; conditions.

10. a. If a proceeding is brought under this act, and only one tribunal has issued a child support order, the order of that tribunal controls and shall be so recognized.

b.If a proceeding is brought under this act, and two or more child support orders have been issued by tribunals of this State or another state with regard to the same obligor and child, a tribunal of this State shall apply the following rules in determining which order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction:

(1)If only one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this act, the order of that tribunal controls and shall be so recognized.

(2)If more than one of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this act, an order issued by a tribunal in the current home state of the child shall be recognized, but if an order has not been issued in the current home state of the child, the order most recently issued controls and shall be recognized.

(3)If none of the tribunals would have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under this act, the tribunal of this State having jurisdiction over the parties, shall issue a child support order which controls and shall be so recognized.

c.If two or more child support obligations have been issued for the same obligor and child and if the obligor or the individual obligee resides in this State, a party may request a tribunal of this State to determine which order controls and shall be recognized under subsection b. of this section. The request shall be accompanied by a certified copy of every support order in effect. The requesting party shall give notice of the request to each party whose rights may be affected by a determination.

d. The tribunal that issued the controlling order that shall be recognized as controlling under subsection a., b., or c. of this section is the tribunal that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

e.A tribunal of this State which determines by order the identity of the controlling order under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection b. of this section or which issues a new controlling order under paragraph (3) of subsection b. of this section shall state in that order the basis upon which the tribunal made its determination.

f.Within 30 days after issuance of the order determining the identity of the controlling order, the party obtaining that order shall file a certified copy of it with each tribunal that issued or registered an earlier order of child support. A party who obtains the order and fails to file a certified copy, is subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arises, but that failure has no effect on the validity or enforceability of the controlling order.

L.1998,c.2,s.10.

2A:4-30.75 Response to multiple registrations, petitions for enforcement.

11.In responding to multiple registrations or petitions for enforcement of two or more child support orders in effect at the same time with regard to the same obligor and different individual obligees, at least one of which was issued by a tribunal of another state, a tribunal of this State shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the multiple orders had been issued by a tribunal of this State.

L.1998,c.2,s.11.

2A:4-30.76 Crediting of amounts collected.

12.Amounts collected and credited for a particular period pursuant to a support order issued by a tribunal of another state must be credited against the amounts accruing or accrued for the same period under a support order issued by a tribunal of this State.

L.1998,c.2,s.12.

2A:4-30.77 Applicability of article; proceedings.

13. a. Except as otherwise provided in this act, this article applies to all proceedings under this act.

b.This act provides for the following proceedings:

(1) establishment of an order for spousal support or child support pursuant to section 32 of this act;

(2)enforcement of a support order and income-withholding order of another state without registration pursuant to sections 33 through 39 of this act;

(3)registration of an order for spousal support or child support of another state for enforcement pursuant to sections 40 through 53 of this act;

(4)modification of an order for child support or spousal support issued by a tribunal of this State pursuant to sections 6 through 9 of this act;

(5)registration of an order for child support of another state for modification pursuant to sections 40 through 53 of this act;

(6)determination of parentage pursuant to section 54 of this act; and

(7)assertion of jurisdiction over nonresidents pursuant to sections 4 and 5 of this act.

c.An individual or a support enforcement agency may commence a proceeding authorized under this act by filing a complaint, petition or comparable pleading in an initiating tribunal for forwarding to a responding tribunal or by filing a complaint, petition or a comparable pleading directly in a tribunal of another state which has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.

L.1998,c.2,s.13.

2A:4-30.78 Maintenance of proceeding for benefit of child of a minor.

14.A minor parent, or a guardian or other legal representative of a minor parent, may maintain a proceeding on behalf of or for the benefit of the minor's child.

L.1998,c.2,s.14.

2A:4-30.79 Duties of responding tribunal of New Jersey.

15.Except as otherwise provided by this act, a responding tribunal of this State:

a.shall apply the procedural and substantive law, including the rules on choice of law, generally applicable to similar proceedings originating in this State and may exercise all powers and provide all remedies available in those proceedings; and

b.shall determine the duty of support and the amount payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of this State.

L.1998,c.2,s.15.

2A:4-30.80 Forwarding of documents by initiating tribunal, support enforcement agency to responding state.

16. a. Upon the filing of a complaint, petition or comparable pleading authorized by this act, an initiating tribunal or the support enforcement agency of this State shall forward three copies of the complaint, petition or comparable pleading and its accompanying documents:

(1)to the responding tribunal or appropriate support enforcement agency in the responding state; or

(2)if the identity of the responding tribunal is unknown, to the state information agency of the responding state with a request that they be forwarded to the appropriate tribunal and that receipt be acknowledged.

b.If a responding state has not enacted this act or a law or procedure substantially similar to this act, a tribunal of this State may issue a certificate or other documents and make findings required by the law of the responding state. If the responding state is a foreign jurisdiction, the tribunal may specify the amount of support sought and provide other documents necessary to satisfy the requirements of the responding state.

L.1998,c.2,s.16.

2A:4-30.81 Filing of complaint, petition, comparable pleading; notification to petitioner; powers of tribunal.

17. a. When a responding tribunal of this State receives a complaint, petition or comparable pleading from an initiating tribunal or directly pursuant to subsection c. of section 13 of this act, it shall cause the complaint, petition or comparable pleading to be filed and notify the petitioner where and when it was filed.

b.A responding tribunal of this State, to the extent otherwise authorized by law, may do one or more of the following:

(1)issue or enforce a support order, modify a child support order, or render a judgment to determine parentage;

(2)order an obligor to comply with a support order, specifying the amount and the manner of compliance;

(3)order income withholding;

(4)determine the amount of any arrearages, and specify a method of payment;

(5)enforce orders by civil or criminal contempt, or both;

(6)set aside property for satisfaction of the support order;

(7)place liens and order execution on the obligor's property;

(8)order an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the obligor's current residential address, telephone number, employer, address of employment, and telephone number at the place of employment;

(9)issue a bench warrant for an obligor who has failed after proper notice to appear at a hearing ordered by the tribunal and enter the bench warrant in any local and State computer systems for criminal warrants;

(10) order the obligor to seek appropriate employment by specified methods;

(11) award reasonable attorney's fees and other fees and costs; and

(12) grant any other available remedy.

c.A responding tribunal of this State shall include in a support order issued under this act, or in the documents accompanying the order, the calculations on which the support order is based.

d.A responding tribunal of this State may not condition the payment of a support order issued under this act upon compliance by a party with provisions for visitation.

e.If a responding tribunal of this State issues an order under this act, the tribunal shall send a copy of the order to the petitioner and the respondent and to the initiating tribunal, if any, or may deliver a copy to the parties at the conclusion of a proceeding.

L.1998,c.2,s.17.

2A:4-30.82 Forwarding of documents to appropriate tribunal.

18.If a complaint, petition or comparable pleading is received by an inappropriate tribunal of this State, it shall forward the pleading and accompanying documents to an appropriate tribunal in this State or another state and notify the petitioner and the initiating tribunal, if any, where and when the pleading was sent.

L.1998,c.2,s.18.

2A:4-30.83 Services to petitioner provided by support enforcement agency.

19. a. A support enforcement agency of this State, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under this act.

b.A support enforcement agency that is providing services to the petitioner, as appropriate, shall:

(1)take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal in this State or another state to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent;

(2)request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time, and place for a hearing;

(3)make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to income and property of the parties;

(4)within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of a written notice from an initiating, responding, or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner;

(5)within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of a written communication from the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the communication to the petitioner; and

(6)notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent cannot be obtained.

c.This act does not create or negate a relationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between a support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and the individual being assisted by the agency.

L.1998,c.2,s.19.

2A:4-30.84 Attorney General may order support enforcement agency to perform duties.

20.If the Attorney General determines that the support enforcement agency is neglecting or refusing to provide services to an individual, the Attorney General may order the agency to perform its duties under this act or may provide those services directly to the individual.

L.1998,c.2,s.20.

2A:4-30.85 Employment of private counsel.

21.An individual may employ private counsel to represent the individual in proceedings authorized by this act. If the tribunal of this State is acting as a responding tribunal and the petitioner or initiating support enforcement agency has not employed private counsel in this State, the State IV-D agency shall provide legal representation in IV-D cases to the petitioner or the initiating support enforcement agency, if any, in all proceedings brought under this act. The State IV-D agency shall not assess fees or other costs on the petitioner or the initiating support enforcement agency, if any, for such representation.

L.1998,c.2,s.21.

2A:4-30.86 AOC designated State information agency; duties.

22. a. The Administrative Office of the Courts is the State information agency under this act.

b.The State information agency shall:

(1)compile and maintain a current list, including addresses, of the tribunals in this State which have jurisdiction under this act and any support enforcement agencies in this State and transmit a copy to the state information agency of every other state;

(2)maintain a register of tribunals and support enforcement agencies received from other states;

(3)forward to the appropriate tribunal in the place in this State in which the individual obligee or the obligor resides, or in which the obligor's property is believed to be located, all documents concerning a proceeding under this act received from the initiating tribunal or the state information agency of the initiating state; and

(4)obtain information concerning the location of the obligor and the obligor's property within this State not exempt from execution, by such means as postal verification and federal or state parent locator services, examination of telephone directories, requests for the obligor's address from employers, and examination of governmental records, including to the extent not prohibited by other law, those relating to real property, vital statistics, law enforcement, taxation, motor vehicles, driver's licenses and social security.

L.1998,c.2,s.22.

2A:4-30.87 Verification of complaint, petition, pleadings; contents.

23. a. A petitioner seeking to establish or modify a support order or to determine parentage in a proceeding under this act shall verify the complaint, petition or comparable pleading. Unless otherwise ordered under section 24 of this act, the complaint, petition or comparable pleading or accompanying documents shall provide, so far as known, the name, residential address, and social security numbers of the obligor and the obligee, and the name, sex, residential address, social security number, and date of birth of each child for whom support is sought. The complaint, petition or comparable pleading shall be accompanied by a certified copy of any support order in effect. The complaint, petition or comparable pleading may include any other information that may assist in locating or identifying the respondent.

b.The complaint, petition or comparable pleading shall specify the relief sought. The complaint, petition or comparable pleading and accompanying documents shall conform substantially with the requirements imposed by the forms mandated by federal law for use in cases filed by a support enforcement agency.

L.1998,c.2,s.23.

2A:4-30.88 Disclosure of identifying information, protective order.

24.Upon a finding, which may be made ex parte, that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or child would be unreasonably put at risk by the disclosure of identifying information, or if any existing order so provides, a tribunal shall order that the address of the child or party or other identifying information not be disclosed in a pleading or other document filed in a proceeding under this act.

L.1998,c.2,s.24.

2A:4-30.89 Assessment of fees, costs.

25. a. The petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or other costs.

b.If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal may assess against an obligor filing fees, reasonable attorney's fees, other costs, and necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by the obligee and the obligee's witnesses. The tribunal may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against the obligee or the support enforcement agency of either the initiating or responding state, except as provided by other law. Attorney's fees may be taxed as costs, and may be ordered paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in the attorney's own name. Payment of support owed to the obligee has priority over fees, costs and expenses.

c.The tribunal shall order the payment of costs and reasonable attorney's fees if it determines that a hearing was requested primarily for delay. In a proceeding under sections 33 through 46 of this act, a hearing is presumed to have been requested primarily for delay if a registered support order is confirmed or enforced without change.

L.1998,c.2,s.25.

2A:4-30.90 Participation by petitioner; immunity, certain.

26. a. Participation by a petitioner in a proceeding before a responding tribunal, whether in person, by private attorney, or through services provided by the support enforcement agency, does not confer personal jurisdiction over the petitioner in another proceeding.

b.A petitioner is not amenable to service of civil process while physically present in this State to participate in a proceeding under this act.

c.The immunity granted by this section does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to a proceeding under this act committed by a party while present in this State to participate in the proceeding.

L.1998,c.2,s.26.

2A:4-30.91 Nonparentage plea not available, certain.

27.A party whose parentage of a child has been previously determined by or pursuant to law may not plead nonparentage as a defense to a proceeding under this act.

L.1998,c.2,s.27.

2A:4-30.92 Physical presence of petitioner not required; evidentiary matters.

28. a. The physical presence of the petitioner in a responding tribunal of this State is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage.

b.A verified complaint, petition or comparable pleading, affidavit, document substantially complying with federally mandated forms, or a document incorporated by reference in any of them, not excluded under the hearsay rule if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under oath by a party or witness residing in another state.

c.A copy of the record of child support payments certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal. This copy is evidence of facts asserted in it, and is admissible to show whether payments were made.

d.Copies of bills for testing for parentage, and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least 10 days before the hearing, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary and customary.

e.Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a tribunal of this State by telephone, telecopier, or other means that do not provide an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.

f.In a proceeding under this act, a tribunal of this State may permit a party or witness residing in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means at a designated tribunal or other location in that state. A tribunal of this State shall cooperate with tribunals of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.

g.If a party called to testify at a civil hearing refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the trier of fact may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.

h.A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses does not apply in a proceeding under this act.

i.The defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child does not apply in a proceeding under this act.

L.1998,c.2,s.28.

2A:4-30.93 Communication with out-of-State tribunal.

29.A tribunal of this State may communicate with a tribunal of another state in writing, or by telephone or other means, to obtain information concerning the laws of that state, the legal effects of a judgment, decree, or order of that tribunal, and the status of a proceeding in the other state. A tribunal of this State may furnish similar information by similar means to a tribunal of another state.

L.1998,c.2,s.29.

2A:4-30.94 Interstate discovery matters.

30.A tribunal of this State may:

a.request a tribunal of another state to assist in obtaining discovery; and

b.upon request, compel a person over whom it has jurisdiction to respond to a discovery order issued by a tribunal of another state.

L.1998,c.2,s.30.

2A:4-30.95 Prompt disbursement of amounts received.

31.A support enforcement agency shall disburse promptly any amounts received pursuant to a support order, as directed by the order. The agency or tribunal shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amounts and dates of all payments received.

L.1998,c.2,s.31.

2A:4-30.96 Issuance of support order, temporary child support order.

32. a. If a support order entitled to recognition under this act has not been issued, a responding tribunal of this State may issue a support order if:

(1)the individual seeking the order resides in another state; or

(2)the support enforcement agency seeking the order is located in another state.

b.The tribunal may issue a temporary child support order if:

(1)the respondent has signed a verified statement acknowledging parentage;

(2)the respondent has been determined by or pursuant to law to be the parent; or

(3)there is other clear and convincing evidence that the respondent is the child's parent.

c.Upon finding, after notice and opportunity to be heard, that an obligor owes a duty of support, the tribunal shall issue a support order directed to the obligor and may issue other orders pursuant to section 17 of this act.

L.1998,c.2,s.32.

2A:4-30.97 Income-withholding order issued out-of-State sent to payor.

33.An income-withholding order issued in another state may be sent to the person or entity defined as the obligor's payor under P.L.1981, c.417 (C.2A:17-56.7 et al.), P.L.1985, c.278 (C.2A:17-56.16 et seq.) and P.L.1998, c.1 (C.2A:17-56.7a et al.) without first filing a complaint, petition or comparable pleading or registering the order with a tribunal of this State.

L.1998,c.2,s.33.

2A:4-30.98 Income-withholding order received by employer, compliance.

34. a. Upon receipt of an income-withholding order, the obligor's employer shall immediately provide a copy of the order to the obligor.

b.The employer shall treat an income-withholding order issued in another state which appears regular on its face as if it had been issued by a tribunal of this State.

c.Except as otherwise provided in subsection d. of this section and section 35 of this act, the employer shall withhold and distribute the funds as directed in the withholding order by complying with terms of the order, which specify:

(1)the duration and amount of periodic payments of current child support, stated as a sum certain;

(2)the person or agency designated to receive payments and the address to which the payments are to be forwarded;

(3)health care coverage, whether in the form of periodic cash payment, stated as a sum certain, or ordering the obligor to provide health insurance coverage for the child under a policy available through the obligor's employment;

(4)the amount of periodic payments of fees and costs for a support enforcement agency, the issuing tribunal, and the obligee's attorney, stated as sums certain; and

(5)the amount of periodic payments of arrearages and interest on arrearages, stated as sums certain.

d.The employer shall comply with the law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment for withholding from income with respect to:

(1)the employer's fee for processing an income-withholding obligation;

(2)the maximum amount permitted to be withheld from the obligor's income; and

(3)the time periods within which the employer must implement the withholding order and forward the child support payments.

L.1998,c.2,s.34.

2A:4-30.99 Satisfaction of multiple orders of withholding.

35.If an obligor's employer receives multiple orders to withhold support from the earnings of the same obligor, the employer shall be deemed to have satisfied the terms of the multiple orders if the law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment to establish the priorities for withholding and allocating income withheld for multiple child support obligees is complied with.

L.1998,c.2,s.35.

2A:4-30.100 Immunity from civil liability for employer.

36.An employer who complies with an income-withholding order issued in another state in accordance with this article is not subject to civil liability to an individual or agency with regard to the employer's withholding child support from the obligor's income.

L.1998,c.2,s.36.

2A:4-30.101 Noncompliance; penalties.

37.An employer who willfully fails to comply with an income- withholding order issued by another state and received for enforcement is subject to the same penalties that may be imposed for noncompliance with an order issued by a tribunal of this State.

L.1998,c.2,s.37.

2A:4-30.102 Contesting of validity, enforcement of income-withholding order.

38. a. An obligor may contest the validity or enforcement of an income-withholding order issued in another state and received directly by an employer in this State in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this State. Section 44 of this act applies to the contest.

b.The obligor shall give notice of the contest to:

(1)a support enforcement agency providing services to the obligee;

(2)each employer that has directly received an income-withholding obligation; and

(3)the person or agency designated to receive payments in the income-withholding order or, if no person or agency is designated, to the obligee.

L.1998,c.2,s.38.

2A:4-30.103 Order issued out-of-State sent to support enforcement agency.

39. a. A party seeking to enforce a support order or an income-withholding order, or both, issued by a tribunal of another state may send the documents required for registering the order to a support enforcement agency of this State.

b.Upon receipt of the documents, the support enforcement agency, without initially seeking to register the order, shall consider and, if appropriate, use any administrative procedure authorized by the law of this State to enforce a support order or an income-withholding order, or both. If the obligor does not contest administrative enforcement, the order need not be registered. If the obligor contests the validity or administrative enforcement of the order, the support enforcement agency shall register the order pursuant to this act.

L.1998,c.2,s.39.

2A:4-30.104 Registration of out-of-State order.

40.A support order or an income-withholding order issued by a tribunal of another state may be registered in this State for enforcement.

L.1998,c.2,s.40.

2A:4-30.105 Procedure for registration.

41. a. A support order or income-withholding order of another state may be registered in this State by sending the following documents and information to the appropriate tribunal in this State:

(1)a letter of transmittal to the tribunal requesting registration and enforcement;

(2)two copies, including one certified copy, of all orders to be registered, including any modification of an order;

(3)a sworn statement by the party seeking registration or a certified statement by the custodian of the records showing the amount of any arrearage;

(4)the name of the obligor and, if known:

(a)the obligor's address and social security number;

(b)the name and address of the obligor's employer and any other source of income of the obligor; and

(c)a description and the location of property of the obligor in this State not exempt from execution; and

(5)the name and address of the obligee and, if applicable, the agency or person to whom support payments are to be remitted.

b.On receipt of a request for registration, the registering tribunal shall cause the order to be filed as a foreign judgment, together with one copy of the documents and information, regardless of their form.

c.A complaint, petition or comparable pleading seeking a remedy that must be affirmatively sought under other laws of this State may be filed at the same time as the request for registration or later. The pleading must specify the grounds for the remedy sought.

L.1998,c.2,s.41.

2A:4-30.106 Filing of order; enforcement.

42. a. A support order or income-withholding order issued in another state is registered when the order is filed in the registering tribunal of this State.

b.A registered order issued in another state is enforceable in the same manner and is subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal of this State.

c.Except as otherwise provided in this article, a tribunal of this State shall recognize and enforce, but not modify, a registered order if the issuing tribunal had jurisdiction.

L.1998,c.2,s.42.

2A:4-30.107 Law of issuing state governs; longer statute of limitation applies.

43. a. The law of the issuing state governs the nature, extent, amount, and duration of current payments and other obligations of support and the payment of arrearages under the order.

b.In a proceeding for arrearages, the statute of limitation under the laws of this State or of the issuing state, whichever is longer, applies.

L.1998,c.2,s.43.

2A:4-30.108 Notification of nonregistering party by tribunal.

44. a. When a support order or income-withholding order issued in another state is registered, the registering tribunal shall notify the nonregistering party. The notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the registered order and the documents and relevant information accompanying the order.

b.The notice shall inform the nonregistering party:

(1)that a registered order is enforceable as of the date of registration in the same manner as an order issued by a tribunal of this State;

(2)that a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order shall be requested within 20 days after the date of mailing or personal service of the notice;

(3)that failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely manner will result in confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the alleged arrearages and precludes further contest of that order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted; and

(4)of the amount of any alleged arrearages.

c.Upon registration of an income-withholding order for enforcement, the registering tribunal shall notify the support enforcement agency or the obligor's employer pursuant to the "New Jersey Child Support Program Improvement Act," P.L.1998, c.1 (C.2A:17-56.7a et al.), P.L.1981, c.417 (C.2A:17-56.7 et al.) and P.L.1985, c.278 (C.2A:17-56.16 et seq.).

L.1998,c.2,s.44.

2A:4-30.109 Contesting validity, enforcement of registered order, procedure.

45. a. A nonregistering party seeking to contest the validity or enforcement of a registered order in this State shall request a hearing within 20 days after the date of mailing or personal service of notice of the registration. The nonregistering party may seek to vacate the registration, to assert any defense to an allegation of noncompliance with the registered order, or to contest the remedies being sought or the amount of any alleged arrearages pursuant to section 46 of this act.

b.If the nonregistering party fails to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely manner, the order is confirmed by operation of law.

c.If a nonregistering party requests a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order, the registering tribunal shall schedule the matter for hearing and give notice to the parties of the date, time and place of the hearing.

L.1998,c.2,s.45.

2A:4-30.110 Grounds for contesting validity, enforcement, vacating registration.

46. a. A party contesting the validity or enforcement of a registered order or seeking to vacate the registration has the burden of proving one or more of the following defenses:

(1)the issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction over the contesting party;

(2)the order was obtained by fraud;

(3)the order has been vacated, suspended, or modified by a later order;

(4)the issuing tribunal has stayed the order pending appeal;

(5)there is a defense under the law of this State to the remedy sought;

(6)full or partial payment has been made; or

(7)the statute of limitation under section 43 of this act precludes enforcement of some or all of the arrearages.

b.If a party presents evidence establishing a full or partial defense under subsection a. of this section, a tribunal may stay enforcement of the registered order, continue the proceeding to permit production of additional relevant evidence, or issue other appropriate orders. An uncontested portion of the registered order may be enforced by all remedies available under the law of this State.

c.If the contesting party does not establish a defense under subsection a. of this section to the validity or enforcement of the order, the registering tribunal shall issue an order confirming the order.

L.1998,c.2,s.46.

2A:4-30.111 Confirmation of registered order precludes further contest.

47.Confirmation of a registered order, whether by operation of law or after notice and hearing, precludes further contest of the order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted at the time of registration.

L.1998,c.2,s.47.

2A:4-30.112 Modification, enforcement of order issued out-of-State

48.A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a child support order issued in another state shall register that order in this State in the same manner provided in sections 40 through 43 of this act if the order has not been registered. A complaint, petition or comparable pleading for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration, or later. The pleading must specify the grounds for modification.

L.1998,c.2,s.48.

2A:4-30.113 Enforcement of order issued out-of-State.

49.A tribunal of this State may enforce a child support order of another state registered for purposes of modification, in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this State, but the registered order may be modified only if the requirements of section 50 of this act have been met.

L.1998,c.2,s.49.

2A:4-30.114 Modification of registered order issued out-of-State.

50. a. After a child support order issued in another state has been registered in this State, the registering tribunal of this State may modify that order only if section 52 of this act does not apply and after notice and hearing it finds that:

(1)the following requirements are met:

(a)the child, the individual obligee, and the obligor do not reside in the issuing state;

(b)a petitioner who is a nonresident of this State seeks modification; and

(c)the respondent is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this State; or

(2)the child or a party who is an individual is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this State and all of the individual parties have filed written consents in the issuing tribunal for a tribunal of this State to modify the support order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over the order. However, if the issuing state is a foreign jurisdiction which has not enacted a law or established procedures essentially similar to the procedures under this act, the consent otherwise required of an individual party residing in this State is not required for the tribunal to assume jurisdiction to modify the child support order.

b.Modification of a registered child support order is subject to the same requirements, procedures, and defenses that apply to the modification of an order issued by a tribunal of this State and the order may be enforced and satisfied in the same manner.

c.A tribunal of this State may not modify any aspect of a child support order that may not be modified under the law of the issuing state. If two or more tribunals have issued child support orders for the same obligor and child, the order that controls and shall be recognized under the provisions of section 10 of this act establishes the unmodifiable aspects of the support order.

d.On issuance of an order modifying a child support order issued in another state, a tribunal of this State becomes the tribunal of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

L.1998,c.2,s.50.

2A:4-30.115 Modification of order by another state recognized.

51.A tribunal of this State shall recognize a modification of its earlier child support order by a tribunal of another state which assumed jurisdiction pursuant to this act or law substantially similar to this act and, upon request, except as otherwise provided in this act, shall:

a.enforce the order that was modified only as to amounts accruing before the modification;

b.enforce only nonmodifiable aspects of that order;

c.provide other appropriate relief only for violations of that order which occurred before the effective date of the modification; and

d.recognize the modifying order of the other state, upon registration, for the purpose of enforcement.

L.1998,c.2,s.51.

2A:4-30.116 Jurisdiction to enforce, modify issuing state's order; law applicable.

52. a. If all of the individual parties reside in this State and the child does not reside in the issuing state, a tribunal of this State has jurisdiction to enforce and to modify the issuing state's child support order in a proceeding to register that order.

b.A tribunal of this State exercising jurisdiction as provided in this section shall apply the provisions of sections 1 through 12 of this act and this section to the enforcement or modification proceeding. Sections 13 through 39 and sections 54 through 56 of this act do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this State.

L.1998,c.2,s.52.

2A:4-30.117 Issuance, filing of modified child support order.

53.Within 30 days after issuance of a modified child support order, the party obtaining the modification shall file a certified copy of the obligation with the issuing tribunal which had continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over the earlier order, and in each tribunal in which the party knows the earlier order has been registered. A party who obtains the order and fails to file a certified copy, is subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arises. Failure does not affect the validity or enforceability of the modified order of the new tribunal of having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.

L.1998,c.2,s.53.

54. a. A tribunal of this State may serve as an initiating or responding tribunal in a proceeding brought under this act or a law or procedure substantially similar to this act, or under a law or procedure substantially similar to the "Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act," or the "Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act" to determine that the petitioner is a parent of a particular child or to determine that a respondent is a parent of that child.

b.In a proceeding to determine parentage, a responding tribunal of this State shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this State, and the rules of this State on choice of law.

L.1998,c.2,s.54.

2A:4-30.119 "Governor" defined; extradition, conditions.

55. a. For the purposes of this article, "governor" includes an individual performing the functions of governor or the executive authority of a state covered by this act.

b.The Governor of this State may:

(1)demand that the governor of another state surrender an individual found in the other state who is charged criminally in this State with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee; or

(2)on the demand by the governor of another state surrender an individual found in this State who is charged criminally in the other state with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee.

c.A provision for extradition of individuals not inconsistent with this act applies to the demand even if the individual whose surrender is demanded was not in the demanding state when the crime was allegedly committed and has not fled therefrom.

L.1998,c.2,s.55.

2A:4-30.120 Surrender of individual charged to other state; rendition; conditions.

56. a. Before making demand that the governor of another state surrender an individual charged criminally in this State with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee, the Governor of this State may require a prosecutor of this State to demonstrate that at least 60 days previously the obligee had initiated proceedings for support pursuant to this act or that the proceeding would be of no avail.

b.If, under this act or a law substantially similar to this act, the "Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act," or the "Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act," the governor of another state makes a demand that the Governor of this State surrender an individual charged criminally in that state with having failed to provide for the support of a child or other individual to whom a duty of support is owed, the Governor may require a prosecutor to investigate the demand and report whether a proceeding for support has been initiated or would be effective. If it appears that a proceeding would be effective but has not been initiated, the Governor may delay honoring the demand for a reasonable time to permit the initiation of a proceeding.

c.If a proceeding for support has been initiated and the individual whose rendition is demanded prevails, the Governor may decline to honor the demand. If the petitioner prevails and the individual whose rendition is demanded is subject to a support order, the Governor may decline to honor the demand if the individual is complying with the support order.

L.1998,c.2,s.56.

2A:4-30.121 Application, construction of act.

57.This act shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this act among states enacting it.

L.1998,c.2,s.57.

2A:4-30.122 Short title.

58. This act may be cited as the "Uniform Interstate Family Support Act."

L.1998,c.2,s.58.

2A:4-30.123 Pending actions, rights, duties unaffected by repeal.

60.The repeal of P.L.1981, c.243 (C.2A:4-30.24 et seq.) and sections 15 and 16 of P.L.1985, c.278 (C.2A:17-56.18 and 2A:17-56.19) does not affect pending actions, rights, duties or liabilities based on those repealed laws, nor does it alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under those laws. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed shall be treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending actions or rights filed prior to the effective date of this act and the enforcement of any rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, or liabilities under the repealed laws.

L.1998,c.2,s.60.

2A:4-41. Expenses

Except as otherwise provided by law, all expenses incurred in complying with the provisions of this chapter shall be a county charge.

L.1951 (1st SS), c.344; amended by L.1982, c. 77, s. 31, eff. Dec. 31, 1983.

New Jersey Divorce Laws