How to File a Request to Modify a Non-Dissolution “FD” Court Order Previously Issued By the Court
Revised 09/03/2019, CN 11487 page 5 of 15
The numbered steps listed below tell you what forms you will need to fill out and what to do with them. Each form should be
typed or printed clearly on 8 ½ “x 11” white paper only. Forms cannot be filed on a different size or color paper. Use only
the forms included in this packet. Be sure to keep a copy for your records.
Steps for Filing a Complaint
STEP 1: Fill out the Application/Cross
Application to Modify a Court Order (Form A)
The Application/Cross Application to Modify a
Court Order is a written request in which you ask
the court to change or enforce an existing court
order. The court will change an order only if
important facts or circumstances have changed from
the time the order was issued.
STEP 2: Provide the court with the most
recent address of the other party(ies)
The court will send a Notice to Appear to the
plaintiff, defendant, all listed parties, and attorney(s)
connected to your case when the case is scheduled
for court. Your appearance is mandatory.
Note: The other party will receive copies of all of
the papers you attach to your modification
application with the Notice to Appear, unless court
rules prohibit this information from being shared.
You must provide the court with the most current
address (that you know of) for the other party and
the name of their attorney (if you know it) when you
file your modification application. Failure to do so
may result in your case being dismissed by the court
or delayed because the other party could not be
served with a Notice to Appear.
STEP 3: Fill out the Certification of Diligent
Search (if necessary)
Every person named in a court action must be given
the opportunity to respond. They must be provided
notice so that they can exercise their right to answer
the complaint. If you are filing this application to
modify an order the court requires that you provide
the address of the other legal parent/guardian, so
they can be served with the modification application
and have the opportunity to respond.
If you do not know the current address of the other
party, you must complete the Certification of
Diligent Search (CN 11490). This packet provides
proof to the court of your efforts to find the other
party. The packet must be completed in its entirety
and mailed or delivered to the court. If you are
unable to send a letter as directed, you must tell the
court why by putting your reason on the letter and
including it in the completed packet you mail or
deliver to the court. Once you have mailed or
delivered your packet to the court, your case will be
filed and scheduled for a hearing. The judge will
decide if your search was sufficient at the hearing.
This process must be completed before your case
can proceed in court. You can find this kit on
njcourts.gov.
Important Note: If you are filing to establish
paternity or child support, a diligent search might
not be required. You can go to your local County
Welfare Office (CWA) and request locate services.
Federal locate services are used only for the purpose
of establishing paternity or child support.
STEP 4: Fill out the Confidential Litigant
Information Sheet
The Confidential Litigant Information Sheet (CN
10486) is to ensure accuracy of court records and
must be completed by the person filing this
application to modify a court order. You must
complete the entire form and submit it with your
papers to the court. Do NOT leave any blank
spaces. If something does not apply to you, enter
“N/A”. This form is confidential and will not be
shared with the other party. Each party is
required to complete their own Confidential Litigant
Information Sheet and file it with the court. You can
find this form on njcourts.gov.
Note: Failure to complete the Confidential Litigant
Information Sheet will result in your papers being
returned to you marked “deficient” and will cause a
delay in your case being scheduled for court.
STEP 5: Fill out the Financial Statement for
Summary Support Actions (if applicable)
The Financial Statement for Summary Support
Actions (CN 11223) must be completed if you are
requesting to establish or modify a child support
order in an FD case. You must complete the entire
form. Do NOT leave any blank spaces. If
something does not apply to you, enter “N/A”. This
completed form must be included in your packet
submitted to the court. This form will be shared
with the other party pursuant to Court Rule 5:5-
3. The other party must complete this same form
and file it with the court. The court will share this