New Jersey Judiciary Monmouth Vicinage

1. New Jersey JudiciaryMonmouth Vicinage Stuart Rabner Chief Justice Judge Glenn A. Grant Acting Administrative Director of the Courts Lawrence M. Lawson Assignment Judge Marsi L. Perkins Trial Court Administrator

2. Welcome to the Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Vicinage Family Division Honora O’Brien Kilgallen Presiding Judge Family Part Lori B. Cooper Family Division Manager

3. Mission Statement: We are an independent branch of government constitutionally entrusted with the fair and just resolution of disputes in order to preserve the rule of law and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States and this State.

4. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Hours of Operation • Courthouse hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. • Court matters are important and take time to process. Patience is appreciated • Main Number: 732-677-4300

5. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Frequently Used Terms • Plaintiff: A person who files a complaint • Defendant: A person who responds to the complaint • Docket: Number assigned to the case • FM: Case type in which the parties are seeking to divorce • FD: Case type in which the parties are seeking to address child related issues • FV: Case type in which the parties are seeking a domestic violence restraining order

6. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division You may file for the following in Family Reception, Room L-50: Paternity / Maternity Custody Parenting Time Child Support Spousal Support Medical Coverage Domestic Violence Restraining Order

7. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division • Paternity/Maternity • Custody • Parenting Time • Support • Medical Coverage How to File for:

8. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division • Complete forms and return to Family reception staff in Room L-50 • Photo Identification is required • There is a $6 fee for child support services • There is an annual $25 fee for spousal support services

9. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Processing the Application • Completed forms are processed by Family reception staff • Please remain until your application is completely processed, and you have signed the form

10. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Resolution of Cases • The Family Court encourages parties to resolve their disputes through a variety of informal processes • Agreements between the parties are usually more beneficial to the adults and the children involved • Parties to disputes can make agreements they can live with

11. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Cases Involving Paternity, Child Support and Medical Coverage Only • This type of case is scheduled before a child support hearing officer • A hearing officer calculates child support and makes a recommendation • You have the option to agree with or appeal the recommendation • Agreements become orders of the court • Appeals are scheduled before a judge

12. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Cases Involving Paternity, Custody, Parenting Time and Support • This type of case is scheduled before a probation officer for a Consent Conference • A consent conference is very similar to mediation • Agreements become orders of the court • Unresolved issues are scheduled before a judge

13. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Court • A judge hears matters still in dispute • These may be heard the same day as the hearing officer/ consent conference, or scheduled on another day • Cases are resolved with a court order

14. Three recent pay stubs Income tax returns Proof of child care expenses Unemployment information Proof of Social Security benefits Copies of other orders for support Proof of all other income Receipts for direct payments Employer’s name and address Medical documentation if disabled Driver’s license Health insurance card Be Prepared for Your Child Support Hearing

15. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Victims of Domestic Violence May Apply for a Temporary Restraining Order in Family Reception, Room L-50 Applications for a restraining order under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act may be requested when the parties have a past or present domestic relationship

16. During court hours, forms may be filed in Family Reception Room L-50 After court hours and when court is not in session, parties should contact their local police departments Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division How to File for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order

17. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Orders • Requests for restraining orders can be heard by a domestic violence hearing officer, who grants or denies the application • If the request is denied, an appeal may be heard before a judge the same day

18. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Orders • If the DV hearing officer or judge grants the request, a temporary restraining order (TRO) is issued • A hearing for a final restraining order is scheduled within 10 days before a Judge • The sheriff serves a copy of the TRO to the defendant • A copy of the TRO is faxed to the Police Department of the plaintiff’s town of residence

19. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Final Domestic Violence Restraining Orders • A judge determines whether or not to make a temporary restraining order permanent • Final restraining orders do not expire, they can only be dismissed by a judge • A final restraining order may include provisions for custody, parenting time, and support

20. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Establishment of Support Obligations • Once an order for support has been entered, Family Division staff located in Room L-50 meet with parties to: • Explain the transition of the case from the Family Division to the Probation Division • Provide payment instructions • Establish the child support account

21. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Child Support Debit Card • Child support payments can be received through direct deposit into a personal bank account or through the N.J. Debit Card. • The N.J. Debit Card can be used at banks, ATMs and to make purchases at most stores • Contact 1-866-461-4094 for additional information

22. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Questions about Your Child Support Case? • Additional child support questions may be answered by caseworkers • Child support case workers are located at 30 Mechanic St., Freehold • 732-677-4800 • Have your CS# ready

23. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Central Fee Office • Filing fees may be paid in the Central Fee Office, Room 143 • Support payments can be made in the Central Fee Office or at the Mechanic St. Office • Please bring your docket number or support account number

24. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Questions about Filing for Divorce? • Divorce cases are processed in Room L-7 • Packets are available in Room L-7 to assist self-represented litigants

25. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Representing Yourself in Court Pro se litigants represent themselves in court rather than obtain legal counsel to represent them.

26. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Family Division Staff Can: • We can explain and answer questions about how the court works. • We can tell you what the requirements are to have your case considered by the court • We can provide you with samples of court forms that are available • We can answer questions about court deadlines

27. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Family Division Staff Cannot: • We cannot give you legal advice • We cannot tell you whether or not you should bring your case to court • We cannot talk to the judge for you about what will happen in your case • We cannot let you talk to the judge outside of court proceeding

28. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Choosing an Attorney for Representation • Monmouth Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 732-431-5544 • Ocean-Monmouth Legal Services 732-866-0020 • Legal Aid Society 732-776-7733 • Community Health Law Project 732-502-0059

29. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Important Things to Remember • Bring the hearing notice with you to court • Keep copies of all court orders in a safe place • Inform court staff of address changes

30. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Monmouth Vicinage Interpreting Services • Ana Rivera, Court Interpreter, Vicinage Coordinator 732-677-4214 • Located in Room 147

31. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Special Accommodations The Judiciary is committed to providing equal access to all its services and programs in a manner that integrates individuals with disabilities as much as possible. Each courthouse has a coordinator responsible for implementing the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Disabled individuals with special needs should contact the Monmouth Vicinage ADA Coordinator: Maureen Burgess Room L-45 732-677-4595

32. Office of the Ombudsman The Office of the Ombudsman works to provide: • Citizen Assistance • Public Information • Community Outreach For additional Information contact: Theresa Romano Monmouth Vicinage Ombudsman • Room 151 • 732-677-4209

33. Each county in New Jersey offers volunteer program opportunities. More than 5,000 volunteers participate in Judiciary programs statewide. Of these, close to 600 volunteers serve in the Monmouth County Volunteer Programs of: Supervised Visitation Program Juvenile Conference Committees Advisory Committee on Minority Concerns Student Interns / Administrative Volunteers Juvenile Intensive Supervision Program Court Appointed Special Advocates Program Child Placement Review Board Municipal Court Mediation Monmouth Vicinage Volunteer Program For additional Information contact:Laurie HughesMonmouth Vicinage Volunteer/CDR CoordinatorRoom L43732-677-4471

34. Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Family Division Visit the New Jersey Judiciary on the Internet atwww.njcourtsonline.com

35. Your child deserves… …to be treated as an important and separate individual with unique feelings, needs, ideas and desires.

36. Your child deserves… …not to participate in the painful games parents play to hurt each other, or to be put in the middle of their battles.

37. Your child deserves… …not to be used as a message courier, informant, spy or go-between for parents.

38. Your child deserves… …a continuing, relaxed and secure relationship with both parents.

39. Your child deserves… …to express love and affection for, and receive love and affection from, both parents, as well as members of their blended families.

40. Your child deserves… …to know that expressions of love between children and parents will not cause fear, disapproval or other negative consequences.

41. Your child deserves… …to know that it is not their responsibility to keep their parents together.

42. Your child deserves… …continuing care, guidance and limit setting from both parents.

43. Your child deserves… …answers to their questions about changing family relationships that are free from blame, and that are age-appropriate.

44. Your child deserves… …to know and appreciate what is good in each parent.

45. Your child deserves… …to be protected from hearing degrading or negative comments about either parent.

46. Your child deserves… …to be able to experience regular, consistent, and flexible family time with each parent, and to know the reason for any changes to the parenting schedule.

47. Your child deserves… …to have neither parent interfere with, undermine, or discourage parenting time with the other parent.

48. Your child deserves… …not to be forced to choose one parent over the other, or to be encouraged to take sides.

49. Your child deserves… …to express feelings, concerns and ideas about changing family relationships.

50. Your child deserves… …to remain a child without being asked to take on parental responsibilities or to be an adult friend, companion or confidant to either parent.