Rule 5:10-11.Final Hearing

Last amended September 1, 2011 · Current through September 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5:10-11 requires at least five days notice of the final hearing to the approved agency that placed the child, and a written agency report at that hearing, where no preliminary hearing was ordered.

Full Text of Rule 5:10-11

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In each action in which no order is entered for a preliminary hearing, the clerk of the court shall cause at least 5 days notice of the time and place of the final hearing, together with a copy of the complaint, to be mailed to the approved agency which placed or approved the placement of the child in the home of the plaintiff and which consented to the adoption. Such agency shall file a written report at the final hearing as to all circumstances of the case which will enable the court to make a proper decision in the matter.

End

Amendment History

New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “Note” beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; a “Source” line names the former rule the current one grew out of, and “R. (1969)” citations refer to the earlier numbering it replaced.

Note: Source-R. (1969) 4:94-7. Adopted as Rule 5:10-8 December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; redesignated as Rule 5:10-11 July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011.

Plain-English Summary

This rule fills the gap left when a case goes straight to a final hearing. Where no order for a preliminary hearing is entered, the clerk mails at least 5 days notice of the time and place of the final hearing, together with a copy of the complaint, to the approved agency that placed or approved the placement and consented to the adoption.

The agency then files a written report at the final hearing on all the circumstances of the case — so the court still gets the agency's view of the placement before deciding, even though no preliminary hearing produced one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much notice does the agency get of a final adoption hearing?

At least 5 days notice of the time and place, together with a copy of the complaint, where no order was entered for a preliminary hearing.

Does the agency still report if there was no preliminary hearing?

Yes. It files a written report at the final hearing as to all circumstances of the case, to enable the court to make a proper decision.

Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the official New Jersey Rules of Court, Part V (N.J. Ct. R. 5:10-11). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 8, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: final hearing adoptionagency noticefinal agency report