New Jersey § 2a:168-13

§ 2a:168-13.

The chief probation officer of each county shall, when requested by the superior court,

immediately investigate and furnish to the court all necessary and available information

and data concerning persons who may have become the subject of or legally interested

in any matrimonial action in that court, or in any proceeding directly or indirectly

involving the custody of infants, and who are residents of or are temporarily found

within the county for which such probation officer was appointed. When ordered by the superior court the chief probation officer shall cause to be investigated

the financial status of applicants who are seeking relief through forma pauperis petitions. The superior court may also order payments of alimony or support, or both, to be made

in proper cases through the chief probation officer, who shall distribute such payments

as directed by the court. The superior court is empowered and authorized formally to request and require such

investigations and information from any chief probation officer as may be necessary

to effectuate the provisions of this section, and such requests may be made at any

time and at any stage of any proceeding pending in the superior court. The court shall also have the discretionary power, in actions involving the custody

of infants, to file a certified copy of its order or judgment with the chief probation

officer of the county or counties where the child or children reside, with a direction

therein to make periodic reports to the court as to the status of the custody.