Frequently Asked Questions

Including your spouse in estate planning is a good idea in nearly every case. If there are barriers to having this conversation, be they financial, emotional, or interpersonal, it is…

When someone creates an estate plan, they can designate the individual they wish to serve as their estate’s personal representative. This individual can then petition the probate court to be…

Proper estate planning should be exhaustive, but that doesn’t have to make it exhausting. The key is to start early and approach each task one by one. Over time, you…

New Mexico families can use a survivorship life insurance policy if they are interested in leaving behind a legacy for their loved ones or another important cause, like a charity….

Estate planning doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking, in most cases. The key is to get started early and to focus on completing seven primary steps, one at a…

New Mexico allows for a fairly flexible definition of “last will and testament.” Any adult individual can create a document discussing how their estate will be handled following their death,…

“Estate planning” can easily be summed up as “getting your affairs in order.” The idea is that our day-to-day plans can’t prepare us for the most serious disruptions to our…

People often have questions about the difference between power of attorney and guardianship. Their confusion is understandable because the two designations are nearly identical! The biggest difference between the two…

The terms “estate lawyer” and “estate planner” can have multiple meanings. An “estate lawyer” could refer to an attorney who assists with the handling of someone’s estate after their death…

An executor, formally called a personal representative (PR) in New Mexico, is responsible for handling estate administration matters during probate. It’s this personal representative’s job to resolve an estate’s remaining…

An executor of an estate (referred to as a “personal representative” in New Mexico) has a lot of power and responsibility assigned to them during the probate process. At the…

The death of a loved one can significantly disrupt lives. One common scenario is that a relative or other individual close to the decedent lives in a house or on…

Quick Summary: How Long Does Probate Take in New Mexico Estates that don’t have complicating factors can often resolve probate in four to six months. Creditors may have up to…

Quick Summary: How Much Does Probate Cost in New Mexico Probate filing fees in New Mexico are minimal: $30 for informal probate, and $132 for probate filed in district court….

Quick Summary: What Happens If You Die Without a Will in New Mexico Dying without a will means your estate is intestate. Intestate succession rights in New Mexico are determined…