New 2nd edition due in January 2009 with Barbara Shapiro and Antoinette Sedillo Lopez as co-authors!
Barbara Shapiro's book Family Law in New Mexico is available from Abogada Press. The book is a guide to New Mexico law on marriage, divorce, property and debt division, child custody and support, spousal support, grandparent rights 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, a New Mexico attorney, focuses her practice on family law. She is a frequent speaker for both the legal community and the public. See Authors page for more.
Family Law in New Mexico includes information on:
Living Together and Getting Married : How to get Married in New Mexico, Bigamy, Living Together, Basic Property and Debt Law, Premarital Agreements, Children
Getting a Divorce or Legal Separation : Grounds, Court Procedure, Domestic Violence, Choosing an Attorney, 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, Jurisdiction, Reasonable Needs, Ability to Pay, Rehabilitative Plans, Tax Considerations
Miscellaneous Topics : Reopening Divorce Decrees, Appeals, Bankruptcy, and more...
RESOURCES : Organizations Aiding Families, 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, Reference Librarian
"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
Family Law