Rule 5:6-7. Separate Maintenance

An action for separate maintenance pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:34-24 shall be brought as a summary action unless designated as non-summary in nature by the Family Part Presiding Judge. When the response to the original Complaint for Separate Maintenance contains a counterclaim for divorce, dissolution of civil union or termination of domestic partnership, the action shall immediately be transferred to the dissolution (FM) docket without the need for a formal motion.