N.J. Stat. § 44:1-146

44:1-146. The director of welfare of a municipality may bring a civil action from time to time in the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part for the amount necessary to pay any expense incurred or unpaid. Upon recovery of judgment and the sale of any real or personal property of the defendant, the proceeds therefrom shall as in other civil actions be paid to the director and be applied by him to the support and maintenance of the deserted persons, or to the reimbursement of the municipality, county or board to the extent of the expenditures made by it for that support and maintenance. The sum realized on execution sale and not immediately used shall be kept by the director in a separate account in a national or State bank in the place where the deserted wife or children, or any of them, are placed or maintained. Surplus proceeds not expended for that purpose shall be the property of and payable to the defendant. Amended 1953,c.42,s.14; 1991,c.91,s.433.