Access to Justice: Divorce

A Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) is a legal action between married people to end the marriage. 

A divorce determines how to divide the property and debts of the parties, where the children will live if there are children of the marriage, and who will pay child support and how much that parent must pay. After two people are divorce, each person is free to marry again. To obtain a divorce in New Mexico, you or your spouse must have lived in New Mexico for the last six months. To begin a divorce, you must first file a petition and other papers in the district court in the county where you live or where your spouse lives.  The divorce is not final until the judge signs the Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage. It is not necessary that both persons agree to end the relationship. One spouse cannot make the other stay in a relationship.  -Second Judicial District New Mexico Court

Family law, or domestic relations law, encompasses divorce, custody, child support and other children’s issues. The Family Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico serves as a foundation of support for its legal community by being a central location where attorneys may find information and services that will assist them in representing their clients effectively and helps them to build relationships among fellow members.

The Family Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico also serves the general public who may be seeking legal assistance by providing access to basic information and attorney contact information. The Family Law Section is continually monitoring and sharing the changing nature of our laws so that New Mexicans may be well served by our legal community.