N.J. Stat. § 2A:67-23: Effect of return; answer thereto

The allegations of the return, if not controverted, shall be accepted as true except to the extent that the judge finds from the evidence that they are not true.

At or before the time of hearing, the plaintiff or any other party in interest may file an answer to the return, which shall be verified, denying any of the facts set forth in the return or alleging any other material facts.

L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.