Support for Grandparents as Caregivers in New Mexico

We will talk about your role in taking care of the children in the past, what is happening now, and what are your concerns for the future. The attorney will go over the difference between grandparent visitation versus kinship guardianship or actual adoption. We will want to hear about the whole family dynamic – your relationship with each parent of the grandchildren, what you have done to contribute to taking care of the children, why you believe one or both parents are unable or unwilling to take care of the children now, and what are your long-term goals in terms of caring for the grandchildren.

What Papers Should You Bring to the Meeting?

Checklist for New Court Cases

Generally, if there is no pending court deadline or hearing, it’s not necessary to bring any papers with you for the initial consultation. Some people feel more confident if they have a checklist to help them prepare for meetings. Our Potential Client Questionnaire outlines the factual information we will discuss regarding you and your family. We email the form to you when the appointment is scheduled so you can fill it out in advance and bring it with you.

Documents for Pending Court Cases

If you were served with court papers, such as a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or Temporary Order of Protection, please bring those pleadings with you or email them prior to your appointment. The lawyer will need to read them.

Enforcement or Modification of Court Orders

If you or the other side is trying to enforce or modify a prior court order, then bring the Motion to Enforce / Modify as well as the prior order being enforced or modified. The lawyer will need to read them.

Explore Legal Procedure Options in NM

Nowadays, families have options for resolving their disputes. You can still go to court and let the judge make the decisions, but you also can take more control over the ultimate outcome by utilizing either the collaborative divorce procedure or mediation/settlement facilitation. We will discuss the various legal procedure options during the initial consultation.

Representation & Fee Agreement

At the end of the initial consultation, the Office Manager will provide you with the Representation & Fee Agreement. This is a contract that spells out the responsibilities each of us has if you choose to hire the firm to represent you. It explains the legal fees and costs and your payment obligations. The retainer is set. The firm does not become your lawyer until it receives both the Agreement (signed in the presence of a Notary Public) and the retainer.

What Happens Next?

There is usually a flurry of activity at the beginning of a case. You will work closely with the paralegal in gathering documents and financial records. The appropriate pleading will be drafted. If there is a court hearing coming up, the lawyer will prepare for it and prepare you for what you will likely do in the courtroom. We will go to court together if the issue is not settled in advance.

Here to Answer Your Questions

If you don’t understand something, speak up! This is your life and we want you to understand exactly what’s happening every step of the way.

What Specific Things Are We Going to Discuss?

Divorce

In general, divorce includes four broad topics – property, debt, children (if applicable), and alimony (also called spousal support). If there are minor children involved, then we will discuss custody (legal custody, which is decision-making rights and responsibilities) and physical custody (which is when the children will spend time in each parent’s care). We will also talk about how the bills get paid and money to live on while the case is proceeding, which is called the Interim Allocation of Income and Expenses.

Unmarried Parents

If you are not married to your children’s other parent, we will focus our conversation on custody, visitation, and child support matters. New Mexico does not allow alimony (called “palimony” in other states) for unmarried couples; however, sometimes the parents have bought major items of property together – such as a house, business, vehicles, etc. – that need to be divided when they break up.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

We will talk about your role in taking care of the children in the past, what is happening now, and what are your concerns for the future. The attorney will go over the difference between grandparent visitation versus kinship guardianship or actual adoption. We will want to hear about the whole family dynamic – your relationship with each parent of the grandchildren, what you have done to contribute to taking care of the children, why you believe one or both parents are unable or unwilling to take care of the children now, and what are your long-term goals in terms of caring for the grandchildren.

What Papers Should You Bring to the Meeting?

New Court Cases

Generally, if there is no pending court deadline or hearing, it’s not necessary to bring any papers with you for the initial consultation. Some people feel more confident if they have a checklist to help them prepare for meetings. Our Potential Client Questionnaire outlines the factual information we will discuss regarding you and your family. We email the form to you when the appointment is scheduled so you can fill it out in advance and bring it with you.

Pending Court Cases

If you were served with court papers, such as a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or Temporary Order of Protection, please bring those pleadings with you or email them prior to your appointment. The lawyer will need to read them.

Enforcement or Modification of an Existing Court Order

If you or the other side is trying to enforce or modify a prior court order, then bring the Motion to Enforce / Modify as well as the prior order being enforced or modified. The lawyer will need to read them.

Legal Procedure Options

Nowadays, families have options for resolving their disputes. You can still go to court and let the judge make the decisions, but you also can take more control over the ultimate outcome by utilizing either the collaborative divorce procedure or mediation/settlement facilitation. We will discuss the various legal procedure options during the initial consultation.

Representation & Fee Agreement

At the end of the initial consultation, the Office Manager will provide you with the Representation & Fee Agreement. This is a contract that spells out the responsibilities each of us has if you choose to hire the firm to represent you. It explains the legal fees and costs and your payment obligations. The retainer is set. The firm does not become your lawyer until it receives both the Agreement (signed in the presence of a Notary Public) and the retainer.

What Happens Next?

There is usually a flurry of activity at the beginning of a case. You will work closely with the paralegal in gathering documents and financial records. The appropriate pleading will be drafted. If there is a court hearing coming up, the lawyer will prepare for it and prepare you for what you will likely do in the courtroom. We will go to court together if the issue is not settled in advance.

Here to Answer Your Questions

If you don’t understand something, speak up! This is your life and we want you to understand exactly what’s happening every step of the way.