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New Mexico Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law, Civil Rights and Probate for New Mexico on
Q: My brother passed away in custody of the county jail my half sister violated the rights and went behind my back and got

Awarded as personal representative of his estate and filed a tort claim against the county. Is there anything I can do to have her removed as his personal representative? If so how do I go about it

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 5, 2023

In New Mexico, if you believe that your half-sister, as the personal representative of your late brother's estate, has violated certain rights or acted improperly, you do have options to challenge her position.

First, you need to file a petition in the probate court that is handling...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Elder Law for New Mexico on
Q: Is a verbal wish of elderly parent (mother) valid with more then two witnesses.
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 27, 2023

In your case, it is unlikely that your mother's verbal wish to leave her house to you would be valid. This is because she was not in contemplation of imminent death when she made the wish and she was not a soldier or sailor. Additionally, it is possible that your siblings could challenge your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New Mexico on
Q: My son has temporary delegation of my 11 year old because there father is in jail for drugs and she wants to live with

Me how does he sign over rights to me or can I just file custody for my daughter I’m her biological mom this is I. The state of Nebraska

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 13, 2023

Parents can file for a modification of custody if there has been a significant change in circumstances that affects the best interests of the child.

You and the child's current legal guardian could jointly agree to amend the custody order. This agreement would need to be filed and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New Mexico on
Q: Can I receive any kind of support or property if I leave a relationship after 23 years we are not married .
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 8, 2023

If you leave a long-term relationship in which you were not married, you may not be entitled to support or property division in the same way that a divorcing spouse would be. However, some states recognize what is called "common law marriage" with certain conditions, or you may have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New Mexico on
Q: Should i be worried if my girlfriends mom calls the cops on me. I’m 18 and she is 16 and we have been dating for 1y 7m.
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 25, 2023

If you're 18 and dating a 16-year-old in New Mexico, be aware that the age of consent is 17 in the state, which means individuals under 17 cannot legally consent to sexual activity. If her mother expresses concerns and calls the police, it's important to cooperate and address the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law and Family Law for New Mexico on
Q: Do I have any right to money from the sale of the house my ex husband is selling when he never removed me from the deed

We bought the house in 2019, divorced in September 2022 when I moved out. He had until Nov 1 to remove me from the deed but never did. Now he’s selling and wants me to sign the paperwork to remove me from the deed.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 24, 2023

In a situation like this, the division of proceeds from the sale of the house typically depends on the divorce settlement agreement or court orders. If your divorce decree outlines how the property should be handled and whether you're entitled to a share of the sale proceeds, that agreement... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Family Law for New Mexico on
Q: How would I be able to get information on my incarcerated fiancé that has been hospitalized

I have POA of my fiancé tht is incarcerated

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answered on Oct 11, 2023

In New Mexico, if you have Power of Attorney (POA) over your incarcerated fiancé, it might grant you access to certain information about his well-being and medical status, depending on the specifics of the POA document. You should start by contacting the facility where he is incarcerated and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New Mexico on
Q: My ex-husband left the state in 2021 and has been no contact with our daughter since is filing for abandonment possible?
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answered on Sep 28, 2023

In New Mexico, filing for abandonment might be an option if your ex-husband has had no contact with your daughter for an extended period. Generally, abandonment is defined as the deliberate act of relinquishing all rights and claims to a child. Legal requirements may vary, so it's important to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Mexico on
Q: If I was married in california and now separated from spouse and live in new mexico, can I get my divorce here?
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answered on Sep 14, 2023

In New Mexico, you can file for divorce if you meet the state's residency requirements. Generally, at least one of the parties must be a resident of the state for a certain period before filing for divorce. Given that you were married in California and now reside in New Mexico, you may be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New Mexico on
Q: Do paternal grandparents have a right to see their grandchildren? How would we petition the court for visitations?
Gary William Boyle
Gary William Boyle
answered on Sep 14, 2023

Grandparents rights are defined in NMSA Section 40-9-2. Those rights depend on a variety of factors including whether the parents are living or deceased, the age of the grandchildren and whether they have resided with the grandparents, and a series of factors aimed at determining what sort of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for New Mexico on
Q: I gave my mother power of attorney while I was incarcerated, she put her name on the deed to my house and is financially

Gaining off of the house because I was renting it out. Can she get introuble for personal gain and can I undo what she did?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 24, 2023

You can revoke the POA anytime. I would notify any interested parties such as the renters. You can also sue her for breach of fiduciary duty for presumptively fraudulent transfers of your money to herself.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for New Mexico on
Q: Does a widower have entitlement to deseased family Land Grant land turned into a LLC

We have acres in a family Spanish land grant turned LLC. My sister passed. Does my brother in-law have entitlement or interest

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 2, 2023

You will need to hire a NM attorney to search the title and determine heirship. Recording an Affidavit of Heirship might establish a source of title. The LLC should be researched also: is it active?; should it be dissolved?; or is LLC a tenant in common with the other heirs?.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Social Security for New Mexico on
Q: What do I do if who was granted temporary kinship guardianship, recieved significant financial gain as a result ?

Mother in law and fiance were granted temporary kinship guardianship of Parent's three children in 2021. Guardians have received a significant financial gain as a result. Specifically the grandmother's social security disability benefits. As well as food stamps. The benefits are in mother... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 2, 2023

If you believe that the guardians have received a significant financial gain as a result of their temporary kinship guardianship and have not used these funds appropriately, there are several steps you can take.

Firstly, you may want to consider contacting a lawyer who can advise you on...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Family Law and Libel & Slander for New Mexico on
Q: A standing custody court order, motions and responses filed last fall, Judge recused herself. Status Conference3/3/23

There are a few odd things that have happened including motions filed last sept. Why did judge recuse? She literally added a line and stated "for good reasons". Respondent had atty's but they have recently withdrawn due to difficulties between client and themselves. Now a hearing... View More

Gary William Boyle
Gary William Boyle
answered on Feb 28, 2023

Generally, a statis conference is just what it sounds like. The new judge likely wants to find out what is happening in the case and which of the prior filings still need to be resolved. The new judge might also want to actually schedule additional hearings. A status conference is usually... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New Mexico on
Q: I'm just looking for my grandfather's date of birth but can't get anywhere. There is no one to ask.

He was xxx xxx xxxx, executed in 1954 at New Mexico State Penitentiary. (State vs. Johnson) 1953

Gary William Boyle
Gary William Boyle
answered on Feb 11, 2022

Your grandfather was born on December 27, 1895, in South Bend, Indiana and died February 19, 1954, in Santa Fe. Not really a legal question but we are happy to help.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law and Federal Crimes for New Mexico on
Q: If a man's wife stabbed him and he didn't want press charges but state did will she go to prison

She was on probation for same thing when this happened

Richard W. Noel
Richard W. Noel
answered on Feb 9, 2022

A person may choose not to cooperate with a case once a person is charged with a crime. However, a husband not wanting to press charges doesn't necessarily mean the case goes away. The prosecutor may have enough evidence to proceed without the husband's cooperation. Whether she goes to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New Mexico on
Q: My son was born in new mexico n im from n.m too after he was born my sons mom took off with him to Colorado well 9yrs

Later she moved back to n.m for 8 months n let me n my son build a relationship then she just took off to Colorado out of no where then I filled for custody here in n.m but which state would have jurisdiction Colorado or New mexico

Gary William Boyle
Gary William Boyle
answered on Dec 15, 2021

If your son has been back in Colorado for less than 6 months, New Mexico courts will have jurisdiction over the custody issues. If he has lived in Colorado for 6 months or more this time, the Colorado courts will have jurisdiction.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for New Mexico on
Q: Perhaps I didn't ask the question properly. My niece has a warrant for burglary in New Mexico. She has an 8 yr old girl

She wants to turn herself in with her lawyer but wants me to pick the daughter up before she does that so she's with someone safe. What should I do to make sure I have guardianship of her for school, medical and other things?

Sean Maye
Sean Maye
answered on Nov 11, 2020

The answer to this question is one rooted in NM law, unfortunately. As you would be attempting to assume custody of the child in NM, you will need to consult with a lawyer there regarding a possible emergency petition for temporary custody and guardianship. That said, it is highly unlikely that... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New Mexico on
Q: Child support was modified and agreed upon in court a week ago after 9 years. He is now filing for primary custody.

Should I hire an attorney or respond pro se?

Gary William Boyle
Gary William Boyle
answered on Apr 7, 2020

You should probably retain qualified counsel experienced in custody disputes. Any decision the Court makes regarding time sharing at this point may be binding unless there is a material change in circumstances in the future. You will have a much better chance of protecting your child's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Tax Law, Child Custody and Identity Theft for New Mexico on
Q: my daughter dad took her and I haven't seen or spoken to her in 1 yr 7 months. He is not on the birth certificate
D. Mathew Blackburn
D. Mathew Blackburn
answered on Feb 4, 2020

I'm sorry to hear about that. You've got a pretty complicated issue you may be better off going directly to an attorney and having a private consult with them. I'm not sure you're going to get useful answers to your situation in a forum such as this.

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