Emergent Hearing
(Order to Show Cause)
Promulgated via Directive #09-20 (03/16/2020), CN 11523 (Emergent Application – Order to Show Cause) page 1 of 3
Orders to Show Cause are generally used to avert or prevent irreparable harm to a child or to protect
their health, safety, and welfare. Prevention of harm is the reason to seek emergent remedy with the
court. The court, in its discretion, may issue an emergency order. Only a judge can determine if an
emergency hearing is necessary.
Examples of issues that may be raised in an Order to Show Cause are: emergency custody, termination
of visitation or temporary prevention of relocation of a child outside New Jersey boundaries. Non-
payment of spousal support, if a family is facing immediate eviction, may be an issue for an Order to
Show Cause. Non-payment of child support is NOT an issue for an Order to Show Cause.
If you wish to apply for an emergency hearing the following steps must be completed:
New Cases
1. If this is your first filing of an FD case (no previous FD docket # concerning the same people),
complete the “Initial Application/Cross Application” and all forms required for a new case.
2. If you are filing a new complaint for divorce (FM), then you will need to complete the
Emergent Application and the Order to Show Cause forms.
3. Check “other Relief” and write that you are requesting an emergency hearing.
4. Complete the “Emergent Application” form in its entirety. Use the “Additional Information
form” to further explain why your case is an emergency. Sign and date both forms.
Reopen Cases
5. If you already have a FD docket # involving the same people, complete the “Application/Cross
Application to Modify a Court Order” form and all accompanying forms required to reopen
your case. On the “Application to Modify a Court Order”, check number 6, “The relief I am
seeking is not listed above”. Check “I am seeking the following from the court”. Write that
you are requesting an emergent hearing.
6. If you already have a FM or FV docket # involving the same people, complete both the
Emergent Application and the Order to Show Cause forms.
7. Complete the “Emergent Application” form in its entirety. Use the “Additional Information
form” to further explain why your case is an emergency. Sign and date both forms.