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Albuquerque Lawyer

New Mexico Financial & Family Law is a leading Albuquerque law firm that specializes in family law, probate, estate planning, and creditors’ rights. Managing attorney Don Harris is a creditors’ rights expert, certified by the American Board of Certification. Our experienced legal team has over 25 years of experience serving the Albuquerque community. We will give your case the personal attention it deserves.

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Family
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Creditors'
Rights

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Probate
Law

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Estate
Planning

We have worked with amazing clients
Martindale-Hubbel Client Champion
Avvo 10 Rating
American Board of Certification
Top 3 Bankruptcy Lawyer in Albuquerque
American Board of Certification

Albuquerque Lawyer

Legal services in Albuquerque are crucial in ensuring that individuals and businesses have access to justice and protection under the law. From navigating complex legal issues to representing clients in court, our experienced law firm in Albuquerque provides a wide range of services that are essential for upholding the rule of law and safeguarding individuals’ rights.

At New Mexico Financial & Family Law, we specialize in family law, estate planning, probate, and creditors’ rights in bankruptcy. Whether you are facing divorce, planning for the future, or enduring a debtor dispute, having access to a trusted local law firm can significantly affect the outcome of your case.

How Can an Albuquerque Attorney Help Me?

At some point, everyone needs a lawyer. Individuals and families require legal guidance, even if you never need to defend yourself in court.

Some common legal needs include estate planning, such as creating wills and trusts to ensure assets are distributed according to their wishes.

Another common legal need is family law matters, such as divorce and child custody.

It is important for individuals and families to seek out legal assistance to ensure their rights are protected, and their legal needs are met.

Our firm specializes in both, as well as probate, and creditors’ rights in bankruptcy. Call our experienced Albuquerque lawyers for advised tailored to your specific legal situation.

Estate Planning Services

Estate planning is essential for ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your passing. It can help minimize taxes, designate guardians for children, specify healthcare preferences, and protect assets through trusts.

Proper estate planning provides peace of mind and ensures your loved ones are taken care of in the most efficient way possible.

An Albuquerque estate planning lawyer offers a range of services to help individuals and families plan for the future and protect their assets. These services may include creating wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents to ensure that a person’s wishes are carried out after their passing.

An estate planning attorney can also assist with probate and estate administration, helping to navigate the legal process of distributing assets and settling debts after a loved one has passed away.

Additionally, an estate planning attorney can provide guidance on minimizing estate taxes and ensuring that assets are passed on to beneficiaries in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

Overall, working with an Albuquerque estate planning law firm can provide peace of mind and security for individuals and families as they plan for the future.

Adult Guardianship

In New Mexico, the process for appointing a guardian involves several steps to ensure that the best interests of the individual in need of a guardian are protected. The first step is typically filing a petition with the court, which outlines the reasons why a guardian is needed and provides information about the proposed guardian. This petition must be supported by evidence, such as medical records or testimony from healthcare professionals, to demonstrate that the individual is unable to make decisions for themselves.

Once the petition is filed, the court will schedule a hearing to review the evidence and determine whether a guardian should be appointed. At the hearing, the proposed guardian may be required to provide additional information about their qualifications and ability to serve in this role. The court will also consider input from other interested parties, such as family members or healthcare providers, to ensure that the best decision is made.

If the court decides to appoint a guardian, it will issue an order outlining the responsibilities and limitations of the guardian. This order may include specific instructions on how the guardian should make decisions on behalf of the individual, as well as requirements for reporting back to the court on a regular basis. The guardian will then be responsible for managing the individual’s affairs and making decisions in their best interests.

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

A breach of fiduciary duty occurs when a person in a position of trust and confidence, known as a fiduciary, fails to act in the best interests of another party, known as the beneficiary. Fiduciaries are held to a higher standard of care and are expected to act with honesty, loyalty, and good faith in their dealings with the beneficiary.

Examples of breaches of fiduciary duty can include self-dealing, where the fiduciary puts their own interests ahead of the beneficiary’s, failing to disclose conflicts of interest, misappropriating funds, or failing to act in a timely manner on behalf of the beneficiary. When a breach of fiduciary duty occurs, the beneficiary may have legal recourse to seek damages or other remedies.

Undue influence is a serious form of abuse that involves manipulating or coercing an individual into making decisions that go against their best interests and original intentions. This can occur in various situations, such as when a caregiver or family member exerts pressure on an elderly person to change their will or transfer assets to them. It can also happen in relationships where one partner uses emotional manipulation to control the other person’s financial decisions.

The effects of undue influence can be devastating, leading to financial exploitation, loss of autonomy, and emotional distress for the victim. In some cases, the victim may not even realize they are being manipulated or coerced, making it difficult for them to seek help or take action to protect themselves.

It is important for individuals to be aware of the signs of undue influence and to seek help if they suspect they are being manipulated. Legal protections are in place to prevent and address undue influence, such as laws that invalidate contracts or wills that were made under duress. Seeking support from trusted friends, family members, or legal professionals can help victims of undue influence regain control over their decisions and protect their rights.

Family Law Services

An Albuquerque family lawyer plays a crucial role in addressing legal issues within families by providing legal advice, guidance, and representation in various family law matters. These legal issues can range from divorce and child custody disputes to domestic violence cases.

One of the main responsibilities of an Albuquerque family attorney is to help clients navigate the complex legal system and understand their rights and options. They work closely with their clients to gather relevant information, assess the situation, and develop a strategy to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients.

Family attorneys in Albuquerque also play a key role in negotiating settlements and agreements between family members, such as divorce settlements, child custody agreements, and prenuptial agreements. They strive to resolve conflicts amicably and efficiently while also advocating for their client’s best interests.

In cases where a resolution cannot be reached through negotiation, our Albuquerque family lawyers are prepared to represent their clients in court. They will present evidence, argue on their clients’ behalf, and advocate for a fair and just outcome.

Probate and Guardianship Services

Probate is the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person, ensuring that their assets are distributed according to their will or state law. It is an important process as it helps to settle any debts and taxes owed by the deceased and distribute their assets to the rightful beneficiaries.

An Albuquerque probate lawyer offers a range of services to assist clients in navigating the probate process. This may include helping with adult guardianship cases, where a legal guardian is appointed to make decisions on behalf of an incapacitated adult. They may also assist with contested probate cases, where disputes arise over the validity of a will or the distribution of assets.

Different probate procedures may be followed depending on the complexity of the estate and whether there are any disputes among beneficiaries. Formal probate involves a court-supervised process to validate the will and distribute assets, while informal probate may be used for simpler estates where there are no disputes.

Overall, working with an Albuquerque probate law firm can help to ensure that the probate process is handled efficiently and effectively, giving peace of mind to both the deceased’s loved ones and beneficiaries.

Creditors’ Rights in Bankruptcy

Creditors’ rights in bankruptcy in Albuquerque refer to the legal protections and remedies available to creditors when a debtor files for bankruptcy. When a debtor is unable to pay their debts, they may file for bankruptcy in order to seek relief from their financial obligations. In this process, creditors may be able to recover some or all of the money owed to them through the bankruptcy proceedings.

Creditors’ rights in bankruptcy are governed by federal bankruptcy laws, as well as state laws that may vary depending on the jurisdiction. Creditors may have the right to participate in the bankruptcy proceedings, file claims for the debts owed to them, and challenge the debtor’s actions if they believe they are fraudulent or in violation of bankruptcy laws.

Creditors may also have the right to seek relief from the automatic stay that is put in place when a debtor files for bankruptcy. This stay prevents creditors from taking any further action to collect on the debts owed to them, such as filing lawsuits or garnishing wages. Creditors may be able to petition the court to lift the stay in order to pursue their claims outside of the bankruptcy proceedings.

Trust Our Experienced Albuquerque Law Firm For Your Legal Needs

New Mexico Financial & Family Law offers a wide range of legal services to meet the diverse needs of clients in the Albuquerque area. Specializing in estate planning, family law, probate, and creditors’ rights, our experienced legal team will act quickly and compassionately on your behalf.

If you need legal assistance in Albuquerque, don’t hesitate to contact New Mexico Financial & Family Law today. With years of experience and a commitment to providing personalized and effective legal representation, the Albuquerque lawyer is dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of the legal system and achieve the best possible outcome for their cases.

Contact us now to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards resolving your legal issues.

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