DIVORCE OF MARIA F. GALLEGO vs. RICHARD PEREZ DOCKET NO. FM-16-001520-25
THIS MATTER having been opened to the Court on September 16, 2025, by way of Motion filed by Plaintiff, MARIA GALLEGO, represented by Samuel O. Adenaike, Esq., seeking to serve Defendant, RICHARD PEREZ, Pro Se, by substituted service; and the Court having reviewed and considered all papers submitted; and for good cause having been shown; IT IS on this 5 th day of December, 2025: 1. ORDERED that the Plaintiff's request to serve the Defendant by substituted service is hereby GRANTED; and it is further 2. ORDERED that, pursuant to R. 4:4-5(a), Defendant shall effectuate substituted service by way of publication in a newspaper published of general circulation in the county in which venue is laid; and it is further 3. ORDERED that within 30 days of the date of this Order, the Plaintiff shall publish a copy of this Order providing a notice of the filing of the divorce complaint in The Record, a newspaper with circulation in Passaic County, New Jersey; and it is further FILED Superior Court of New Jersey December 5, 2025 Hon. Nadia Kahf, J.S.C. 2 of 2 4. ORDERED that proof of publication by way of affidavit of publication from said newspaper shall be filed with the Court within 20 days of the date of said affidavit; and it is further 5. ORDERED that within 35 days of the date of filing of the affidavit of publication with the Court, the Defendant shall serve upon the Plaintiff, either (1) a written appearance in accordance with R. 5:4-3(a) or (2) an answer to the Complaint within 35 days of the publication and that if the Defendant fails to answer or file a written appearance in accordance with R. 5:4-3, judgment by default may be rendered against the Defendant for the relief demanded in the complaint; and it is further 6. ORDERED that (1) if the Defendant is unable to obtain an attorney, that the Defendant may contact the Lawyer Referral Service of the County of Passaic by calling (973) 345-4585 and further that if the Defendant cannot afford an attorney, the Defendant may contact Northeast New Jersey Legal Services by calling (973) 523-2900; and (2) the Defendant shall promptly file the answer or written appearance and proof of service thereof in duplicate with the Clerk of the Superior Court, Passaic County Courthouse, in Paterson, New Jersey in accordance with the rules of civil practice and procedure; and it is further 7. ORDERED that service upon the Defendant by other special substituted service is hereby dispensed within this action; 8. This Order addresses and concludes all the issues in this Motion. 12/5/2025 Date Hon. Nadia Kahf, J.S.C.
SUMMONS:
From The State of New Jersey to the Defendant(s) Named Above: RICHARD PEREZ
The plaintiff named above has filed a lawfuit against you in the Superior Court of New Jersey. The complaint attahed to this summons states the basis for this lawsuit. If you dispute this complaint, you or your attorney must file a written answer or general appearance, in accordance with R.5:4-3(a), and proof of service with the deputy clerk of Passaic County Superior Court County Administration Building, 8th Floor, 401 Grand Street,Paterson NJ 07505, within 35 days from the date you receive this summons, not counting the date you received it. A filing fee of $175 payable to the Treasurer, State of New Jersey must accompany your answer or general appearance when it is filed.
You must also send a copy of your answer or general appearance to the plaintiff whose name and address appear above. A telephone call will not protect your rights. You must file and serve a written answer or general appearance (with fee and completed Case Information Statement) if you want the court to consider your answer or general appearance. If you do not file and serve a written answer or general appearance within 35 days, judgement by default may be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
If you cannot afford an attorney, you ay call the Legal Services office in the county where you live or the Legal Services of New Jersey statewide, toll-free hotline at 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529). A list of Legal Services offices is attached to this form. If you do not have an attorney and are not eligible for free legal assistance, you may obtain a referral to an attorney by calling one of the Lawyer Referral Services. A directory with contact information for local Legal Services Offices and Lawyer Referral Services is available in the Civil Division Management Office in the county listed above and online at www.njcourts.gov/forms/10153_deptyclerklawref.pdf.
Date: January 2, 2025 Michelle M. Smith, Esq. /s/__________
CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR COURT
Name of defendant to be served: RICHARD PEREZ
Address of Service: 76 Nagle Street , Paterson NJ 07501
January 7 2026
LNYS0433767
$60.14