Rule 5:14-2.Consent Conference; Trial
Last amended June 28, 1996 · Current through September 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026
Full Text of Rule 5:14-2
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--new. Adopted December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; amended June 28, 1996, to be effective immediately.
Plain-English Summary
The first stop is an in camera consent conference conducted by Family Part Intake Service as soon as practicable. Most cases end there, with an acknowledgment and a Judgment of Paternity signed by the parties and submitted for approval.
If the alleged father does not acknowledge paternity, fails to appear, or the conference ends because agreement is unlikely, the matter goes to a Child Support Hearing Officer. Where there is an articulable reason to suspect the alleged father is the natural father, the officer recommends an order for testing, and the tests are scheduled within 10 days of that order.
Refusing has consequences that are spelled out. A refusal to participate pursuant to a court order is admitted into evidence and gives rise to a presumption that the results would have been unfavourable to the party who refused — and it is subject to the court's contempt power. Results go to the parties, and the alleged father may contest them on the basis of fraud or inaccurate testing within 10 days of receipt, in writing; if he does, supplemental tests are scheduled within 10 days of that order.
Where results meet or exceed the probability threshold the State sets, a conclusive presumption of paternity arises without foundation testimony or proof of authenticity, and once the time to contest expires the court enters a Judgment of Paternity. Support follows in the same case: if the complaint sought it, Intake Service schedules a conference or hearing to recommend an award under the guidelines. Failure to test, or results below the threshold, sends the action to trial — by the court unless a jury has been requested in writing as the law requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon are paternity tests scheduled in New Jersey?
Within 10 days of the date the order for paternity testing is entered.
What happens if I refuse a paternity test?
The refusal is admitted into evidence and gives rise to a presumption that the results would have been unfavorable to the party who refused. It is also subject to the contempt power of the court.
Can I challenge the test results?
The alleged father may contest them on the basis of fraud or inaccurate testing within 10 days of receiving them, by written communication to the Family Part Intake Service. Additional tests are then scheduled within 10 days of the order for supplemental testing.
Is there a jury in a paternity case?
Trial is by the court unless a written request for a jury has been filed as required by law.