During divorces in New Mexico, each partner may need to take independent legal advice at some point during proceedings. This can help spouses settle essential matters, such as child custody and parenting, marital property division, child support, spousal support, and so on. Under a specific code of ethics, lawyers may be “conflicted out” if they are disqualified from representing clients because of a conflict of interest. Usually, in divorce cases, this means that they are already representing the other party or, at least, have information that may prejudice decisions and preclude them from ta ..read more

Divorces and annulments both legally end marriages and both involve court procedures in New Mexico—but there are some important differences between the processes and outcomes. Most fundamentally, an annulment treats a marriage as if it never happened while a divorce is the official means of ending a legally recognized marriage. be granted an annulment, you must convince the court that the marriage was never legal or valid and should never have happened. This can often be challenging without legal assistance. Here’s what else you need to know about annulment… Civil annulment vs religious annul ..read more

There has been a lot of talk about THC-O in the hemp and cannabis communities and beyond recently. This relatively new, hemp-derived cannabinoid has highly potent psychoactive effects and that has raised interest and curiosity about the substance. But what is THC-O and is it legal in New Mexico? What are the federal laws concerning THC-O? Can you legally use or sell it here? Let’s clear up the main questions about THC-O below… What is THC-O?  THC is tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis and responsible for much of the demand for cannabis products through the c ..read more

Each New Mexico divorce is unique to some degree but certain laws and elements are common to all divorces. It’s important to get to grips with these when facing a marriage breakdown. Without a good understanding of the laws concerning who can get divorced in New Mexico and the relevant rules on property division, spousal support (alimony), child custody, parenting and child support, you can run into legal problems or agree to a settlement that is not necessarily in your best interests. Here are the basics of what you need to know if you’ve been served with divorce papers or plan to file for di ..read more

There are two answers to this question: the known costs and the unknown costs of filing for a divorce in New Mexico. Most couples, when filing for a divorce, understand that there are some official court charges to meet. These are usually predictable and quite manageable. The “unknown” costs are far less predictable and greatly depend on the nature of your divorce. Few divorces pass totally smoothly through the necessary legal processes and many cases involve the intervention of lawyers, mediators, arbitrators or a New Mexico judge to help resolve matters. This is especially the case if there ..read more

Then legal sales of recreational cannabis started in New Mexico in April 2022, sparking a new level of interest in opening cannabis dispensaries. Setting up a cannabis dispensary involves considerable pre-planning and knowledge of the legal hurdles — not to mention a clear understanding of the associated costs. You not only have the initial licensing and capital requirements, real estate costs, taxes, marketing and employee salaries to consider, but you may incur construction, infrastructure, and technology costs too. To be a successful cannabis dispensary business owner, it’s important to go ..read more

Cannabis has been used in the medical profession in New Mexico since the late 1970s. The state was the first in the country to enact a medical cannabis law and medical cannabis has been fully legal in the state since 2007. The laws were designed “to allow the beneficial use of medical cannabis in a regulated system to alleviate symptoms caused by debilitating medical conditions and their medical treatments.” Medical cannabis business licenses have been available in New Mexico since 2007. However, with the passing of the bill that legalized recreational adult-use cannabis in 2019, it is time to ..read more

When there are children from a marriage, child custody and support matters are usually central to the divorce. Just because parents separate, their joint legal responsibilities to care for and support their children do not end. The child’s financial needs must be met by both parents fairly and equitably according to the financial resources available. By understanding more about the child support laws in New Mexico, you can discuss the matter with your ex-spouse in an informed way and seek a workable arrangement in the best interests of the children, while avoiding disputes. If you are unable t ..read more

Since June 2021, recreational cannabis usage has been legalized in New Mexico, as it has in a growing number of U.S. states. The New Mexico Cannabis Regulation Act introduced a set of rules for how those interested in using, growing, distributing or selling cannabis must proceed. There is, however, still some confusion about who can do what, what the limits are, and how entrepreneurs can get set up in the emerging cannabis industry. Unfortunately, you can still end up with a criminal charge for possession of cannabis (or worse) if you do not obey the rules. Here are the basics of what you need ..read more

With the legalization of recreational cannabis earlier this year, more businesses and entrepreneurs are applying for cannabis licenses in New Mexico. This can involve a lengthy process because licensing is in its early days and it’s competitive. Licenses are highly coveted and the state government wants to maintain control over the industry from the start. It’s important, therefore, to understand what type of license you need and to be prepared for a rigorous vetting process before submitting your application for a license. Preparing the correct documentation and being ready for the various ch ..read more