ISBN: 978-096321737-0, Retail Price $24.95, 288 pages, 6" x 9" format, 12 pt. text with colored cover, softcover, perfect bound, table of contents and detailed index.

Family Law in New Mexico is available from Abogada Press, as well as bookstores around the state. The book is a guide to New Mexico law on marriage, living together, divorce, property and debt division, child custody and support, spousal support, domestic violence, and more. Written in plain English, the book will help educate and inform New Mexico’s citizens about their legal rights on these important issues.

Barbara Shapiro was a New Mexico specialist practicing family law before she retired in 2000. While in practice, she frequently spoke and wrote about family law issues for both the public and legal community. Antoinette Sedillo López is a professor of law at the University of New Mexico. She teaches Family Law, Professional Responsibility, and Clinical Legal Education. See Authors page for more.

Both authors have asked that all of their royalties be donated to the University of New Mexico Foundation for the benefit of the Pamela Minzner Chair at the University of New Mexico School of Law. The authors wish to honor the late Pamela Minzner’s work as a law teacher, Court of Appeals Judge, and Supreme Court Justice. She was an inspiration to countless law students, law professors, attorneys, and the community.

Family Law in New Mexico includes information on:

• Living Together and Getting Married : How to get Married in New Mexico, Bigamy, Living Together, Domestic Partnerships, Basic Property and Debt Law, Premarital Agreements, Children
• Domestic Violence: Defining Domestic Violence, Creating a Safety Plan, Orders of Protection, Criminal Proceedings
• Getting a Divorce or Legal Separation : Grounds, Court Procedure, Dispute Resolution Options, Choosing an Attorney, Representing Oneself, Costs of Cases
• Dividing Marital Property and Debts : Cash Flow Analysis, Needs, Community Property and Debt Laws, Separate Property and Debts, Dividing Property and Debts, Unknown and Hidden Property
• Custody and Visitation : Sole and Joint Custody, Best Interest of Child, Parenting Plans, Schedules for Visitation, Grandparents’ Visitation, Common Questions and Problems
• Child Support : Child Support Guidelines and Sample Calculations, Changing or Modifying Support, Special Problems
• Spousal Support : Standards for Awarding, New Mexico Supreme Court Alimony Guidelines, Jurisdiction, Reasonable Needs, Ability to Pay, Rehabilitative Plans, Tax Considerations
• Miscellaneous Topics : Reopening Divorce Decrees, Appeals, Bankruptcy, and more…
• APPENDIX-FORMS : Appendix —Forms: Temporary Domestic Order, Budget Form, Property/Debt Checklist, Parenting Plan, Child Support Guidelines and Worksheets, Alimony Guidelines Monthly Payment Worksheet
• RESOURCES : General Family Law Resources, New Mexico Courts, Domestic Violence Resources, and more, plus Bibliography and Index

Reviewers Praise the Book:

• "I believe every resident of New Mexico should consider buying Family Law in New Mexico …. The book really is that good, and I do recommend it to lawyers and the general public." -Patrica Elliott, Albuquerque JOURNAL, Your Taxes Columnist, May 11, 1998
• "[ Family Law in New Mexico is] a must for our state’s libraries as well as the home library." -Carol A. Myers, Book Talk, July 1998
• "This book is very thorough, but at the same time very lucid. It will be of great value to the public and to others interested in this area of the law." -David L. Walther, Santa Fe Family Law Attorney
• "Anyone thinking of cohabiting or marriage should read this book first. It is extremely valuable for couples planning a life together." -Eileen Sullivan, Director, Silver City Library
• "I learned a lot! This book sets forth realistic expectations of the divorce process and should save people many unnecessary legal costs." -Barbara Wasylenki, LISW
• "This book does a remarkable job of putting into everyday language the answers to questions commonly asked by anyone going through a divorce." -Leigh Anne Chavez, Attorney & Instructor, Domestic Relations Law

See Life Planning in New Mexico by Merri Rudd with Shannon Bulman.