Rule 5:5-3.Financial Statements and Case Information Statements in Summary Support Actions

Last amended April 27, 2026 · Current through September 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5:5-3 requires a financial statement in summary support actions and a full case information statement in three defined situations, and lets the court order a non-filing party to produce one on a prima facie showing of changed circumstances.

Full Text of Rule 5:5-3

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) Filing of a Financial Statement. In any summary action in which support of a child is in issue, each party shall, on the filing of the initial pleading, provide the court with a financial statement in a form prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts. The court shall use the information provided on the financial statement and any other relevant facts to set an adequate level of child support in accordance with R. 5:6A. A current financial statement and any prior financial statements shall be filed when an application is filed for modification of child support.

(b) Filing of a Family Case Information Statement. A Family Case Information Statement, along with any prior financial statements, shall be filed pursuant to R. 5:5-2(a) in summary actions when (1) spousal, civil union partner or domestic partner support is requested, or (2) contribution to college or post-secondary school expenses is requested, or (3) the matter is designated for the complex track. A Family Case Information Statement shall not be required for applications for temporary and final domestic violence restraining orders. In applications involving college or post-secondary school contribution, applicants must produce all relevant information, such as: documentation of all costs for which contribution is sought, including but not limited to, tuition, fees, room, board, and books; proof of enrollment; and proof of all financial aid, scholarships, grants and student loans obtained.

(c) Non-Filing Parties. If the court concludes that the party seeking relief has demonstrated a prima facie showing of a substantial change in circumstances or that other good cause is shown, the court shall order the non-filing party to file a current financial statement or Family Case Information Statement.

(d) Filing a Confidential Litigant Information Sheet. Pursuant to R. 5:4-2(g), all pleadings filed in the Family Part must include a completed Confidential Litigation Information Sheet in a form prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts.

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) 5:5-3(a). Adopted December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; amended January 10, 1984, to be effective immediately; amended July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; amended July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; amended July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011; amended July 9, 2013 to be effective September 1, 2013; caption amended, text divided into paragraphs (a), (b), (d), new paragraph (c) adopted, paragraph captions added, and new paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 31, 2025 to be effective September 1, 2025; paragraph (a) amended April 27, 2026 to be effective immediately.

Plain-English Summary

In a summary action where child support is at issue, each party files a financial statement with the initial pleading, and the court uses it to set an adequate level of support under the child support guidelines rule. A current statement, with any prior ones, is filed again when modification is sought.

The fuller Family Case Information Statement is required in three situations: where spousal, civil union partner or domestic partner support is requested; where contribution to college or post-secondary expenses is requested; or where the matter is designated for the complex track. It is not required for temporary or final domestic violence restraining order applications. College contribution applications carry their own documentary burden — costs, proof of enrollment, and proof of all financial aid, scholarships, grants and student loans.

A party who has not filed can be made to. Where the applicant makes a prima facie showing of a substantial change in circumstances or other good cause, the court orders the non-filing party to file a current statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a full case information statement required in a summary support case?

In three situations: spousal, civil union partner or domestic partner support is requested; contribution to college or post-secondary expenses is requested; or the matter is designated for the complex track.

Is a case information statement needed for a restraining order?

No. The rule states that one is not required for applications for temporary and final domestic violence restraining orders.

What must I produce for a college contribution application?

All relevant information, such as documentation of the costs claimed — tuition, fees, room, board and books — proof of enrollment, and proof of all financial aid, scholarships, grants and student loans obtained.

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. 5:5-3). 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: financial statementsummary support actioncollege contributionFD financial statementchange of circumstances