In all actions for the settlement of accounts, other than plenary actions, any interested person may, at least 5 days before the return of the order to show cause or within such time as the court allows, serve the accountant written exceptions, signed by that person or his or her attorney, to any item in or omission from the account, including any exceptions to the commissions or attorney’s fees requested. The exceptions shall state particularly the item or omission excepted to, the modification sought in the account and the reasons for the modification. An exception may be stricken because of its insufficiency in law.
Rule 4:87-8.Exceptions
Last amended September 4, 1990 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:87-8 lets any interested person, at least five days before the order to show cause return date or within a court-allowed extension, serve the accountant written exceptions to any item or omission in the account, though an insufficient exception can be stricken.
Full Text of Rule 4:87-8
Amendment History
New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “History” note beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; the “R.R.” citations refer to the former Revised Rules numbering the current rules replaced.
Source-R.R. 4:106-6. Amended July 22, 1983 to be effective September 12, 1983; former R. 4:87-7; amended and rule redesignated June 29, 1990 to be effective September 4, 1990.
Plain-English Summary
Disagreeing with an account doesn't require waiting for the hearing to say so. Any interested person — at least five days before the return date, or later if the court allows — can serve the accountant signed, written exceptions to any item in the account, or anything missing from it, including objections to the commissions or attorney's fees requested. Each exception has to spell out the specific item or omission, the change being sought, and the reasons for it, and a legally insufficient exception can be stricken.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much advance notice does an exception to an account require?
At least five days before the return date of the order to show cause, unless the court allows more time.
What must a written exception include?
The specific item or omission being challenged, the modification sought, and the reasons for it.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:87-8). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey (N.J. Const. art. VI, § 2, ¶ 3). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 7, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: exceptions to account