9:2-1. Custody of children of parents divorced in another state or country; action in Superior Court; notice to persons interested; judgment; exclusion from hearing; records not open to public inspection


9:2-1.  Custody of children of parents divorced in another state or country;   action in Superior Court;  notice to persons interested; judgment; exclusion  from hearing;  records not open to public inspection
    After a divorce adjudged in any other State or country, if minor children of  the marriage are inhabitants of this State, the Superior Court, in an action  brought by either parent or by a guardian ad litem in behalf of the children,  such notice being given to parents as the court shall direct, may make such  judgment concerning their care, custody, education and maintenance as if the  divorce had been obtained in this State.  If the minor child or minor children  have not, at the commencement of the action, reached the age of sixteen years,  and if it is represented to the court by affidavit or under oath that evidence  will be adduced involving the moral turpitude of either parent, or of such  minor child or children, or that evidence will be adduced which may reflect  upon the good reputation or social standing of the child or children, then the  court shall admit to the hearing of such case only such persons as are directly interested in the matter being then heard.  The records of such proceedings, including all papers filed with the court, shall be withheld from  indiscriminate public inspection, but shall be open to inspection by the  parents, or their attorneys, and to no other person or persons except by order  of the court made for that purpose.

     Amended by L.1948, c. 321, p. 1294, s. 1;  L.1953, c. 9, p. 69, s. 2.
 
9:2-2.  Custody of children of divorced or separated parents within jurisdiction of Superior Court;  removal from jurisdiction;  consent; security
    When the Superior Court has jurisdiction over the custody and maintenance of  the minor children of parents divorced, separated or living separate, and such  children are natives of this State, or have resided five years within its  limits, they shall not be removed out of its jurisdiction against their own  consent, if of suitable age to signify the same, nor while under that age without the consent of both parents, unless the court, upon cause shown, shall otherwise order.  The court, upon application of any person in behalf of such minors, may require such security and issue such writs and processes as shall be deemed proper to effect the purposes of this section.

     Amended by L.1948, c. 321, p. 1295, s. 2.
 
9:2-3.       Custody of children of parents living separately; powers of court 
     9:2-3.  When the parents of a minor child live separately, or are about to do so, the Superior Court, in an action brought by either parent, shall have the same power to make judgments or orders concerning care, custody, education and maintenance as concerning a minor child whose parents are divorced.  Until the court determines the final custody of the minor child and unless the parties agree otherwise, the court shall determine temporary custody based upon the best interests of the child with due regard to the caretaking arrangement that previously existed.  No child shall be taken forcibly or against the will of the parent having custody by the other parent without a court order. If the child has not, at the time of the commencement of the action, reached the age of 16 years, and if it is represented to the court by affidavit or under oath that evidence will be adduced involving the moral turpitude of either parent, or of the minor child, or that evidence will be adduced which may reflect upon the good reputation or social standing of the child, then the court shall admit to the hearing of such case only such persons as are directly interested in the matter then being heard.  The records of such proceedings, including all papers filed with the court, shall be withheld from indiscriminate public inspection, but shall be open to inspection by the parents, or their attorneys, and to no other person except by order of the court made for that purpose. 

    Amended 1948,c.321,ss.3,11; 1953,c.9,s.3; 1990,c.26,s.1.