# N.J. Stat. § 9:2-9: Unfit parents and custodians, court action to grant relief

> New Jersey · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-9

## Section

- **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 9:2-9
- **Heading:** Unfit parents and custodians, court action to grant relief
- **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NJ Code / Title 9 / Chapter 2 / Section 2-9

## Text

9:2-9. When the parents of any minor child or the parent or other person having the actual care and custody of any minor child are grossly immoral or unfit to be intrusted with the care and education of such child, or shall neglect to provide the child with proper protection, maintenance and education, or are of such vicious, careless or dissolute habits as to endanger the welfare of the child or make the child a public charge, or likely to become a public charge; or when the parents of any minor child are dead or cannot be found, and there is no other person, legal guardian or agency exercising custody over such child; it shall be lawful for any person interested in the welfare of such child to institute an action in the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part, in the county where such minor child is residing, for the purpose of having the child brought before the court, and for the further relief provided by this chapter. The court may proceed in the action in a summary manner or otherwise. Amended 1948,c.321,s.7; 1949,c.245,s.1; 1953,c.9,s.6; 1991,c.91,s.190.

## Nearby sections

- [N.J. Stat. § 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](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-2 Custody of children of divorced or separated parents within jurisdiction of Superior Court; removal from jurisdiction; consent; security](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-3 Custody of children of parents living separately; powers of court](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-4 Custody of child; rights of both parents considered.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-4.1 Person convicted of sexual assault, custody of, visitation to minor child; denied, exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-4.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-4.2 Parental access to children's records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-4.2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-4a Best interest of child primary consideration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-4a.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-5 Death of parent having custody; reversion of custody to surviving parent; appointment of guardian by superior court; removal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-5.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-7 Habeas corpus to determine custody of child; access to child](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-7.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-7.1 Visitation rights for grandparents, siblings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-7.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-7.2 Concealment of child; preliminary hearing as to custody](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-7.2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-9 Unfit parents and custodians, court action to grant relief](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-9.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-10 Order for proper care of child](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-10.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 9:2-11 Commitment of child to child caring society; cost of proceedings; consent to adoption of child; support by relative](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T9_C2_S2-9. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.