South v. North

DICAMILLO, J.T.C.,

temporarily assigned.

Plaintiff seeks a Final Restraining Order under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 to -33 (Act). One requirement plaintiff must satisfy is to prove that the defendant is a member of plaintiffs household. The question is whether the defendant, who never lived with the plaintiff, is considered a “household member” according to the Act. The Act provides no definition for “household member”, and no reported decision is applicable to the present case.

Plaintiff, Lois South, age 74, lived with her daughter, Amy South, age 32, and…