How to Fill Out New Jersey Form CN-11217 (w/Examples) + FAQs

New Jersey Form CN-11217 is the Notice of Motion to Modify/Terminate Alimony packet that a divorced spouse files in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part, when a substantial change in circumstances justifies changing or ending an existing alimony obligation. The packet is published by the New Jersey Judiciary self-help center and is the official path for both pro se payors and recipients who want a judge to revisit alimony after a final judgment of divorce.

Filing this motion is high-stakes because alimony cases follow the Lepis v. Lepis changed-circumstances standard set by the New Jersey Supreme Court, and a single defective certification can trigger denial without a hearing. The Administrative Office of the Courts reports that thousands of post-judgment family motions are filed each year, and roughly 1 in 5 are denied at the threshold stage for failure to make a prima facie showing under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23, which is exactly the trap CN-11217 is designed to help filers avoid.

By the end of this guide, you will know:

• 📝 What every box, certification, and attachment in the CN-11217 packet asks for and how to answer it
• 📂 Which financial documents, prior orders, and the updated Case Information Statement must be attached before you walk into the Family Division
• ⚖️ How the Lepis, Crews, and Spangenberg standards apply to retirement, job loss, cohabitation, and disability scenarios
• 💻 How to file by paper at the county courthouse, electronically through JEDS, or through the eCourts attorney portal
• 🚫 The 10 most common mistakes that get alimony-modification motions denied and how to sidestep each one

What Form CN-11217 Is and Who Must File It

Form CN-11217 is the official notice-of-motion packet promulgated by the New Jersey Judiciary for any party seeking to modify, suspend, or terminate alimony after a final judgment of divorce or dissolution. It is a self-help packet, meaning it bundles the notice of motion, the supporting certification, the proposed form of order, and instructions into one downloadable PDF posted on the Judiciary’s family forms page. The packet is governed primarily by Rule 5:5-4 of the New Jersey Rules of Court, which requires every alimony-modification motion to include an updated Case Information Statement (Form CN-10487) when financial information is at issue.

The form is filed in the Chancery Division, Family Part, of the county where the original divorce was entered, and it is reviewed by a Superior Court judge. The agency receiving it is the New Jersey Judiciary, specifically the Family Division Manager’s Office in your venue county. The statute that authorizes alimony modification is N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(b) and (j), which codifies the Lepis standard and the 2014 amendments addressing retirement and cohabitation.

You must file CN-11217 if you are the payor seeking to reduce or terminate alimony because of involuntary job loss, disability, retirement, or recipient cohabitation, or if you are the recipient seeking to increase alimony because of the payor’s increased income or your decreased ability to be self-supporting. Attorneys also use this packet, although most attorneys file through the eCourts electronic system rather than the JEDS public portal. The penalty for filing a false certification under this form is criminal exposure for false swearing under N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2, so accuracy matters as much as completeness.

A common misconception is that CN-11217 can be used to establish alimony for the first time. It cannot. It is a post-judgment vehicle only, and an initial alimony claim must be raised inside a divorce complaint or counterclaim under Rule 5:4-2.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather every document below before you open the PDF, because the certification asks for specific dollar figures, dates, and case numbers that you cannot guess. Missing even one attachment is the single biggest reason motions get bounced at intake by the Family Division Manager’s Office.

• Final Judgment of Divorce (FJOD). This is the order that created the alimony obligation; without it, the judge cannot tell what is being modified. If you cannot find your copy, request a certified copy from the county Family Division where your divorce was entered.
• Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) or Property Settlement Agreement (PSA). The MSA contains the negotiated alimony terms, including any Crews v. Crews marital lifestyle findings, and the judge will read it side-by-side with your certification.
• Most recent alimony order. If alimony was already modified once, attach the most recent order rather than the original FJOD so the court sees the current baseline.
• Updated Case Information Statement, Form CN-10487. Required by Rule 5:5-4 whenever financial relief is sought, and the motion will be denied without it.
• Last 3 years of federal and state tax returns. These prove income trends and are attached as Schedule A to the CIS.
• Last 3 pay stubs or, if self-employed, the last 3 months of profit-and-loss statements. These document current earnings.
• Proof of the changed circumstance. Termination letter, disability award letter from SSA, retirement plan statement, or surveillance/social-media evidence of cohabitation.
• Photo ID and your docket number. The docket number is on every prior order and follows the format FM-XX-XXXX-YY, where XX is the county code and YY is the year filed.

If a piece is missing, the consequence is direct: under Rule 5:5-4(a)(4), the court “shall not entertain” a motion seeking modification of financial relief without a current CIS, and the clerk may reject the filing at the counter.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official PDF is posted on the New Jersey Judiciary forms catalog under “Family — Post-Judgment Motions.” The packet is free, fillable, and printable. Always download a fresh copy for each filing because the Judiciary periodically updates the certification language, and using an outdated revision can cause the clerk to reject the packet under Directive #08-11.

You can also pick up a paper packet at the Family Division Ombudsman in your county courthouse. The Ombudsman cannot give legal advice, but they can hand you the current packet and confirm the filing fee. If you have a disability, the Judiciary’s ADA coordinator can provide accessible formats.

For electronic filing, pro se litigants use the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) portal, and attorneys use the eCourts Family system. Both portals accept the CN-11217 packet as a single PDF upload, but JEDS caps each upload at 7 MB, so large CIS attachments may need to be split. The form’s revision date is printed in the bottom-left footer of page 1; confirm it matches the version currently posted on the Judiciary site before you sign.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form CN-11217 Line by Line

The packet has four logical parts: the Notice of Motion (page 1), the Certification in Support (pages 2–6), the Proposed Order (page 7), and the Certification of Service (page 8). Each part has fields that must match the others exactly, because inconsistencies between the notice, the certification, and the proposed order are the second-most-common reason motions are denied without oral argument.

Caption Box: County, Docket Number, and Case Title

The caption sits at the top of every page in the packet and tells the court which case file to pull.

• Plain English: This box asks which county your divorce was filed in, the case’s docket number, and the names of the two parties.
• How to answer: Type the county name in all caps, the docket number in FM-XX-XXXX-YY format, and the parties exactly as they appear on the FJOD, with the original plaintiff on top and the original defendant below.
• Example: MARIA LOPEZ, Plaintiff, v. CARLOS LOPEZ, Defendant. Docket No. FM-07-1234-19.
• Nuance: If a spouse changed their name post-divorce (for example, resumed a maiden name in the FJOD), use the name that appears on the FJOD, not the current legal name.
• Common mistake and consequence: Filers often invert plaintiff and defendant when they are the moving party. The clerk treats this as a new case and may open a duplicate file, delaying your hearing by weeks.
• Misconception: Many filers think the docket changes after divorce. It does not. The FM docket follows the case for life.

Notice of Motion — Return Date Field

The return date is the day the judge hears the motion.

• Plain English: It asks what date you want the judge to consider your motion.
• How to answer: Family motions in New Jersey are heard on Fridays under Rule 5:5-4(c). Pick a Friday at least 24 days out for pro se filers (16-day notice plus mailing) and confirm the date with the Family Division Manager.
• Example: Carlos selects Friday, June 26, 2026 as his return date and writes “06/26/2026” in the box.
• Nuance: If the 24-day count lands on a court holiday, push to the next motion Friday.
• Common mistake and consequence: Picking a date too close in time. The court will adjourn the motion sua sponte, which restarts your service clock and can cost you a month.
• Misconception: That you must appear in person on the return date. Most family motions are decided on the papers unless oral argument is requested in the notice.

Notice of Motion — Relief Requested Checkboxes

This section tells the judge what you actually want.

• Plain English: Check the box that matches your goal: modify, suspend, or terminate alimony.
• How to answer: Check only the boxes that describe the exact relief you can prove. If you want a temporary suspension during a job search, check “suspend,” not “terminate.”
• Example: Janet, whose ex-husband retired at 67, checks the “Terminate alimony” box and the “Other relief” box, then writes “credit for overpayments since 04/01/2026.”
• Nuance: Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(1), there is a rebuttable presumption that alimony ends at the payor’s full retirement age, so retirees should check “terminate” rather than “modify.”
• Common mistake and consequence: Checking “modify” when you mean “terminate” limits the judge’s authority to the relief requested. The judge cannot grant more than you asked for under Rule 1:7-4.
• Misconception: That checking every box maximizes your chances. It actually invites a “shotgun motion” objection.

Certification — Paragraph 1: Identity and Standing

Paragraph 1 establishes who you are and why you can speak.

• Plain English: State your full legal name, address, role in the case, and that the facts are based on personal knowledge.
• How to answer: Use your legal name as it appears on government ID, list your current residential address (not a P.O. Box), and state “I am the [Plaintiff/Defendant] in this matter and I make this certification based on my personal knowledge.”
• Example: “I, Carlos Lopez, residing at 412 Maple Street, Newark, NJ 07104, am the Defendant in this action and make this certification based on personal knowledge.”
• Nuance: A P.O. Box can be used only as a mailing address and must be paired with a physical address per Rule 1:5-2.
• Common mistake and consequence: Listing an old address triggers service problems if the recipient cross-mails to your stale address; the court may treat your service as defective.
• Misconception: That “personal knowledge” allows hearsay. It does not — second-hand statements should be supported by attached documents.

Certification — Paragraph 2: Date and Terms of the Original Order

Paragraph 2 anchors the modification in the existing alimony order.

• Plain English: State the date of the FJOD, the type of alimony (open durational, limited duration, rehabilitative, or reimbursement), the dollar amount, and the payment frequency.
• How to answer: Quote the alimony paragraph of the MSA verbatim, including any Crews lifestyle findings, then attach the FJOD as Exhibit A.
• Example: “On March 15, 2019, the Court entered a Final Judgment of Divorce ordering Defendant to pay Plaintiff open durational alimony of $2,400 per month.”
• Nuance: If the alimony was modified after entry of the FJOD, cite the most recent modification order, not the FJOD.
• Common mistake and consequence: Misstating the alimony type. Open durational alimony has different termination triggers than limited duration alimony under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(c), and a misstatement undermines your credibility.
• Misconception: That “permanent alimony” still exists. The 2014 statutory amendments replaced it with “open durational” alimony for divorces filed after September 10, 2014.

Certification — Paragraph 3: The Changed Circumstance

This paragraph is the heart of the motion under Lepis v. Lepis, 83 N.J. 139 (1980).

• Plain English: Explain what changed, when it changed, and why the change is “substantial,” “non-temporary,” and “involuntary.”
• How to answer: Use a chronological narrative with dates, dollar amounts, and attached proofs. Anchor the change to the Lepis factors and, where applicable, to N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(k) and (n).
• Example: “On February 1, 2026, my employer eliminated my position. I received a severance letter (Exhibit B) and have applied to 47 jobs since (Exhibit C). My income has dropped from $145,000 to $0.”
• Nuance: A change less than 90 days old is presumptively temporary; wait at least 90 days after the event before filing, except in retirement cases.
• Common mistake and consequence: Filing too soon. The court will deny the motion as premature, and you must wait and refile, paying the fee a second time.
• Misconception: That a voluntary career change qualifies. Storey v. Storey, 373 N.J. Super. 464 (App. Div. 2004), makes clear that voluntary income reduction does not warrant downward modification.

Certification — Paragraph 4: Current Income, Assets, and Expenses

Paragraph 4 cross-references the attached CIS.

• Plain English: Summarize your current gross income, net income, monthly expenses, and total assets.
• How to answer: Use round monthly figures and reference Schedule B (monthly expenses) and Schedule C (assets) of the CIS.
• Example: “My current gross monthly income is $0, my Schedule B monthly expenses are $4,820, and my liquid assets total $11,300, as set forth in the attached CIS.”
• Nuance: Imputed income may be relevant; if you are unemployed, address why imputation under Caplan v. Caplan, 182 N.J. 250 (2005), is not appropriate.
• Common mistake and consequence: Inconsistencies between paragraph 4 and the CIS. Judges scan for these and will deny the motion for lack of credibility.
• Misconception: That a CIS is optional if both parties already exchanged one in the divorce. Rule 5:5-4(a)(4) requires an updated CIS for every post-judgment financial motion.

Certification — Paragraph 5: Cohabitation Allegations (If Applicable)

Use this paragraph only if you are the payor alleging recipient cohabitation under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(n).

• Plain English: Describe the recipient’s romantic partner, shared household, intertwined finances, and recognition as a couple in the community.
• How to answer: Address each of the seven Konzelman / statutory cohabitation factors with specific facts and exhibits (photos, social-media posts, mail, surveillance reports).
• Example: “Plaintiff has lived with John Smith at 27 Oak Lane since at least August 2024. They share a Costco membership (Exhibit D), a joint Verizon account (Exhibit E), and have attended Plaintiff’s family Thanksgiving as a couple.”
• Nuance: Cohabitation does not require living together full-time after the 2014 amendments; intertwined finances alone can suffice.
• Common mistake and consequence: Relying only on social-media posts. Without a prima facie showing across multiple factors, the motion will be denied without discovery under Landers v. Landers, 444 N.J. Super. 315 (App. Div. 2016).
• Misconception: That cohabitation automatically terminates alimony. It only authorizes the court to modify or suspend; termination requires a strong factual record.

Certification — Paragraph 6: Retirement Allegations (If Applicable)

Use only if the payor has reached or is approaching full retirement age.

• Plain English: State your age, your full retirement age under SSA rules, your retirement date, and your post-retirement income.
• How to answer: Address all 10 factors in N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(1), including age, health, financial impact, and assets exchanged in the original divorce.
• Example: “I turned 67 on January 12, 2026, my SSA full retirement age. I retired from Acme Corp. on March 31, 2026. My current monthly income is $3,140 from Social Security and $1,800 from a 401(k) draw.”
• Nuance: For pre-September 2014 divorces, the Landers test still applies and the rebuttable presumption does not.
• Common mistake and consequence: Failing to address whether retirement is in good faith. The court can deny the motion if you appear to be retiring strategically.
• Misconception: That hitting 65 is enough. SSA full retirement age is 66 or 67 for most current filers.

Certification — Signature and Notarization Block

The signature block transforms the document into a sworn certification under Rule 1:4-4(b).

• Plain English: Sign your name, print it, and date it under the statement “I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true.”
• How to answer: Sign in blue ink on paper or apply a typed /s/ signature block on JEDS submissions.
• Example: /s/ Carlos Lopez — Carlos Lopez — Dated: 05/23/2026.
• Nuance: Notarization is not required for a self-represented party; the Rule 1:4-4(b) certification language replaces a notary.
• Common mistake and consequence: Forgetting the false-statement warning sentence. Without it, the certification is not sworn, and the judge can disregard every fact inside.
• Misconception: That you can sign for a spouse or relative. You cannot. Only the party with personal knowledge may sign.

Proposed Form of Order

The proposed order is the document the judge will sign if you win.

• Plain English: It tells the judge exactly what relief you want, written as a court order.
• How to answer: Mirror the relief checked on page 1 of the notice, write it in numbered ordered-paragraph form, and leave a signature line for the judge.
• Example: “1. Defendant’s alimony obligation of $2,400/month is hereby terminated effective February 1, 2026. 2. Defendant shall receive a credit for overpayments. SO ORDERED.”
• Nuance: Always include an “effective date” paragraph; without one, the order takes effect on the date the judge signs.
• Common mistake and consequence: Asking for relief broader than the notice. Judges will line-strike paragraphs that exceed the notice’s scope.
• Misconception: That the judge will draft the order. Family judges rely on the moving party’s proposed order and rarely rewrite it.

Certification of Service

This certifies you served the other side.

• Plain English: State how, when, and where you served the opposing party (or attorney).
• How to answer: Check the appropriate method (regular mail, certified mail, hand delivery, eCourts service), list the date, and sign.
• Example: “I served a true copy of this motion on Plaintiff’s counsel, Jane Doe, Esq., at 100 Court Street, Newark, NJ, by certified mail, return receipt requested, on May 24, 2026.”
• Nuance: If the opposing party is pro se, serve them at their last known address; if represented, serve the attorney of record per Rule 1:5-2.
• Common mistake and consequence: Serving the recipient personally when they are represented. The service is defective and the court will adjourn the motion.
• Misconception: That email service is automatic. Email service requires written consent under Rule 1:5-2 unless filed through eCourts, which serves automatically.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Scenario 1: Carlos, a 52-year-old payor laid off after 20 years

Form Section	What Carlos Enters
Caption	MARIA LOPEZ, Plaintiff v. CARLOS LOPEZ, Defendant; Docket No. FM-07-1234-19
Return Date	Friday, June 26, 2026
Relief Requested	Modify alimony; suspend pending re-employment
Paragraph 1 — Identity	Carlos Lopez, 412 Maple Street, Newark, NJ 07104; Defendant
Paragraph 2 — Original Order	FJOD dated 03/15/2019; open durational alimony of $2,400/month
Paragraph 3 — Changed Circumstance	Involuntary layoff effective 02/01/2026; 47 documented job applications
Paragraph 4 — Current Income	Gross income $0; unemployment benefits $804/week; Schedule B expenses $4,820
Attached CIS	Updated Form CN-10487 with 2023–2025 tax returns and severance letter
Proposed Order	Reduce alimony to $400/month effective 02/01/2026; revisit in 6 months

Scenario 2: Janet, a 67-year-old payor reaching SSA full retirement age

Form Section	What Janet Enters
Caption	JANET RIVERA, Plaintiff v. DAVID RIVERA, Defendant; Docket No. FM-13-5678-15
Return Date	Friday, July 10, 2026
Relief Requested	Terminate alimony based on retirement
Paragraph 1 — Identity	Janet Rivera, 27 Pine Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003; Plaintiff
Paragraph 2 — Original Order	FJOD dated 06/01/2015; limited duration alimony of $1,800/month
Paragraph 6 — Retirement	Turned 67 on 01/12/2026; retired from Acme Corp. on 03/31/2026
Paragraph 4 — Current Income	SSA $3,140/mo; 401(k) draw $1,800/mo; total $4,940/mo
Attached CIS	CIS plus SSA award letter and 401(k) statements
Proposed Order	Terminate alimony effective 04/01/2026

Scenario 3: Aisha, a recipient seeking an increase due to recipient disability

Form Section	What Aisha Enters
Caption	AISHA WILLIAMS, Plaintiff v. MARCUS WILLIAMS, Defendant; Docket No. FM-09-9012-21
Return Date	Friday, August 7, 2026
Relief Requested	Modify alimony upward
Paragraph 1 — Identity	Aisha Williams, 88 Birch Lane, Trenton, NJ 08611; Plaintiff
Paragraph 2 — Original Order	FJOD dated 11/22/2021; rehabilitative alimony of $1,200/month for 5 years
Paragraph 3 — Changed Circumstance	SSA disability award dated 10/01/2025; unable to complete nursing retraining
Paragraph 4 — Current Income	SSDI $1,540/mo; Schedule B expenses $3,300
Attached CIS	Updated CIS with SSA disability decision and medical records
Proposed Order	Convert rehabilitative alimony to open durational alimony of $2,000/month

How to File the Completed Form

You can file CN-11217 through three channels, and the right channel depends on whether you have an attorney and how comfortable you are with technology.

• In person at the county courthouse. Bring the original plus two copies and your check or money order to the Family Division Manager’s Office in your venue county. The current motion filing fee is $50, payable to “Treasurer, State of New Jersey.” Processing takes 3–5 business days, and your proof of filing is the time-stamped copy the clerk hands back.
• By mail. Send the same package to the Family Division Manager at the courthouse street address (not a P.O. Box). Use certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery. Processing takes 7–10 business days, and your proof is the green return-receipt card.
• Electronic filing through JEDS (pro se). Upload the packet as a single PDF, pay the $50 fee with credit card or e-check, and download the JEDS confirmation receipt. Processing takes 1–3 business days.
• Electronic filing through eCourts Family (attorneys). Attorneys upload through their eCourts account and pay through the firm’s escrow account. Service on the opposing attorney is automatic.

If you cannot afford the $50 fee, file a fee waiver application on Form CN-10557 along with the motion. Save every confirmation, time-stamp, and receipt for at least one year, because you may need to prove timely filing if the recipient claims they were never served.

What Happens After You File

Once the motion is filed and served, the opposing party has 15 days before the return date to file an answering certification and cross-motion under Rule 5:5-4(c). You then have 8 days before the return date to file a reply. Reply papers are limited to responding to new issues raised in the answer; they cannot raise brand-new arguments.

The judge will review the papers and, on the return date, will either decide on the papers, schedule oral argument, or order a plenary hearing. A plenary hearing is a mini-trial used when the certifications create genuine factual disputes about the changed circumstance, and Lepis requires one before the court can permanently modify alimony based on disputed facts. If the judge denies the motion at the prima facie stage under Miller v. Miller, 160 N.J. 408 (1999), you can move for reconsideration under Rule 4:49-2 within 20 days or file an appeal to the Appellate Division within 45 days.

If the judge grants the motion, the order takes effect on the date stated in the order, which is often the filing date of the motion under Mallamo v. Mallamo, 280 N.J. Super. 8 (App. Div. 1995). Probation Department records at the NJ Child Support and Alimony unit must then be updated, which can take 2–4 weeks.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

• Filing without an updated CIS. Rule 5:5-4(a)(4) requires it; the motion will be denied at intake without one.
• Using the wrong docket number. The clerk will open a duplicate file, delaying the hearing.
• Picking a return date too close in time. The court will adjourn sua sponte and restart the clock.
• Inverting plaintiff and defendant in the caption. Causes confusion and possible rejection.
• Filing too soon after the changed event. Anything under 90 days is presumptively temporary.
• Mismatching the certification with the proposed order. The judge cannot grant relief broader than what was requested.
• Forgetting the Rule 1:4-4(b) certification language. Without it, the document is not sworn.
• Serving a represented party directly. Service must go to counsel of record.
• Attaching unredacted financial documents. Social Security numbers must be redacted under Rule 1:38-7.
• Citing the FJOD when there is a later order. The court needs the most recent baseline.
• Listing a P.O. Box as a residential address. Defective under Rule 1:5-2.
• Forgetting to sign the certification of service. The motion is treated as unserved.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do download a fresh copy of CN-11217 every time, because the Judiciary updates the certification language.
• Do attach exhibits with tabs and a brief exhibit list, because judges read fast and reward organization.
• Do keep your tone factual; emotion-heavy certifications hurt credibility.
• Do file at least 24 days before the return date so service is unquestionably timely.
• Do redact Social Security numbers, account numbers, and minor children’s names per Rule 1:38-7.
• Do save the JEDS receipt or time-stamped copy for one year.
• Don’t omit the updated CIS, ever, because it is the single biggest cause of denial.
• Don’t ask for relief broader than your notice of motion.
• Don’t rely on social-media screenshots alone for cohabitation; you need multi-factor proof.
• Don’t voluntarily reduce or stop paying alimony before the order is signed; arrears continue to accrue.
• Don’t sign a certification you have not read line-by-line.
• Don’t try to add new factual allegations in your reply brief.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Filing Pro Se	Filing With an Attorney
Pro: No attorney fees; the court fee is just $50	Pro: Attorney drafts the certification using Lepis-aware language
Pro: Full control over your narrative and timeline	Pro: Attorney handles service and adjournments
Pro: JEDS and self-help packets are designed for pro se filers	Pro: Attorney can argue oral motions and plenary hearings
Con: Mistakes in certification language can sink the motion	Con: Attorney fees often run $3,000–$10,000 for a contested motion
Con: No one to spot a missing CIS schedule before filing	Con: You give up some control over strategy
Con: Cohabitation and retirement cases need strong legal framing	Con: Scheduling can slow if attorney has trial conflicts

FAQs

Do I need a lawyer to file CN-11217?

No. The packet is designed for pro se filers, and JEDS accepts self-represented submissions. That said, contested cohabitation and retirement cases benefit from counsel.

Can I stop paying alimony once I file the motion?

No. Alimony continues until a judge signs an order changing it. Arrears accrue and can be enforced through Probation.

Is the $50 fee waivable?

Yes. File Form CN-10557, an application to proceed as an indigent, with the motion.

Do I write my maiden name or married name in the caption?

No to current legal name if it differs. Use the name that appears on the FJOD, even if you have legally changed it since.

Can I check both “modify” and “terminate” on the relief box?

No. Pick the one supported by your facts; checking both invites a “shotgun motion” objection and confuses the proposed order.

Do I have to attach my tax returns?

Yes. The most recent 3 years of federal and state returns attach as Schedule A to the updated CIS under Rule 5:5-4.

Is notarization required on the certification?

No. The Rule 1:4-4(b) certification language replaces a notary for self-represented parties.

Can I file CN-11217 to establish alimony for the first time?

No. It is a post-judgment form only; initial alimony must be raised in the divorce complaint or counterclaim.

Does cohabitation automatically terminate alimony?

No. It authorizes the court to modify, suspend, or terminate after a multi-factor analysis under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(n).

What happens if I miss the 16-day notice deadline?

No hearing on the chosen date. The court will adjourn the motion to the next available Friday and restart your clock.

Can I file in any New Jersey county?

No. You must file in the county where the FJOD was entered, unless venue has been transferred under Rule 5:7-1.

Do I need to attach the MSA if it is already in the court file?

Yes. Always attach it. Court files are sometimes archived offsite, and the judge will not order retrieval to decide a motion.

Is JEDS the same as eCourts?

No. JEDS is for self-represented filers and accepts uploads; eCourts is the attorney electronic-filing system with broader functionality.

How long does the judge take to decide?

Yes, typically within 30–60 days of the return date, although plenary hearings can extend that to 6–9 months.