Divorce is a significant life decision, and contemplating it can be a challenging and emotional process. If you find yourself at the crossroads of considering divorce in the great state of New Mexico, it is essential to approach the situation with careful consideration and awareness. Here are key factors to ponder as you navigate the complexities of divorce in the Land of Enchantment. 1. Grounds for Divorce in New Mexico: New Mexico is a no-fault state, which means that neither party needs to prove grounds for a divorce.   No-fault divorce is common and simply requires the assertion ..read more

Pets are people too, right? Not in the eyes of the New Mexico Courts. In the eyes of the Court, pets are considered personal property just like your vehicles, art collection or tools. The only difference is that our pets are living, breathing, loving animals who are a huge part of our family. When the tough decision to get a divorce is made, an even tougher decision may be “who gets the dog?”. Even though there are no laws in New Mexico for pet custody, there are some solutions to help you decide what is the best option for you and your pets: Pet Custody Keep in mind, this is not the same thin ..read more

Welcome to an educational article about the legal landscape of domestic partnerships in New Mexico. In this guide, we unravel the intricacies of what a domestic partnership entails in the Land of Enchantment, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the rights, responsibilities, and processes involved. Defining Domestic Partnership in New Mexico In New Mexico, a domestic partnership is a legally recognized relationship between two individuals who share a committed and intimate life together, akin to a marriage. This legal recognition extends certain rights and responsibilities to do ..read more

In this post, we explore a topic close to the heart – kinship guardianship. If you are wondering about the ins and outs of taking on the role of guardian for a young relative, you are in the right place.  What’s Kinship Guardianship?  Kinship guardianship is like the superhero version of family support. It’s a legal arrangement where a relative takes on the responsibilities of the legal guardian of a child, typically when the child’s parents are unable to care for them. It is a way of maintaining a child’s familial ties while ensuring the child’s well-being. New Mexico recognizes the ..read more

If you or someone you know is dealing with divorce, you have probably heard the term “community property,” but, what does it mean and how is it applied in the state of New Mexico?  Community property is a legal concept that defines the ownership of assets acquired during a marriage.  In New Mexico, any property acquired during a marriage is considered equally owned by both spouses, regardless of who earned the income to pay for the asset or whose name it is in.  This is not limited to physical assets like homes or cars, but also applies to rental income, businesses started durin ..read more

For the second time, Terry & deGraauw, P.C. has been named the Best Place to Work in Albuquerque in the small business category by Albuquerque Business First.    The owners and founders, Kathryn Terry and Jennifer deGraauw, are honored to receive this award, especially as the firm rounds out its tenth year in business.  From day one, the top priorities of the firm have been providing the most exceptional legal services to clients in the state and curating a work culture centered around employee wellbeing.  Jennifer and Kathryn could not be more appreciative to work ..read more

If you are a child of divorce, you may have some scars that make you wince when thinking about the conflict between your parents.  Separating from your partner is a stressful and painful process, especially if you have children together.  Navigating co-parenting after divorce or separation isn’t easy and doesn’t come naturally to most people.  The separation will feel scary for your children because they don’t have control over the situation and they don’t know what to expect in their new life.  There are, however, strategies you can employ to reduce the conflict in your po ..read more

Divorce can be a challenging time for anyone, and for business owners, the process can be particularly complicated. If you own a business in New Mexico, it is essential to understand how a divorce could impact your company. In this post, we will explore how a person’s New Mexico business can be affected during a divorce in a community property state. First, it is important to understand that New Mexico is a community property state. This means that in a divorce, any property acquired during the marriage is considered to be owned equally by both spouses, regardless of who actually paid for it ..read more

If you are reading this, you’ve either started the divorce process, or it is something you are contemplating. Like most of the public you do not have formal training on the divorce process, the laws in New Mexico, or what it will mean for you and your family. It often feels like there is a veil between the public and the law, so we’re breaking down the stages of a divorce case to give you a comprehensive understanding of each step of the process. Initial Stage & Case Opening In the beginning, you will likely do a good amount of research on divorce laws in New Mexico, the different types o ..read more

A Guardian ad Litem (“GAL”), at its most basic definition, is an attorney appointed by the Judge to represent the child in a high conflict custody or divorce matter.  When parents do not get along and cannot make joint decisions for their child, the Judge will often appoint a GAL to not only assist the parents with decision-making but also let the Judge know the wishes of the child, depending on the child’s age.  In all cases where a GAL is appointed, the GAL is tasked with representing the best interests of the child and making recommendations to the Judge consistent with the c ..read more