Albuquerque Child Custody Lawyer

Experienced Custody Attorneys Putting Your Children First After Divorce in New Mexico

The Albuquerque custody lawyers at NM Divorce & Custody Law, LLC cares about your family and your children. We know that a divorce or separation can be a complicated situation, but our Albuquerque child custody attorneys are here to protect you and your child’s best interests.

Is New Mexico a 50/50 Custody State?

Yes, New Mexico is considered a 50/50 custody state. The courts in NM generally prefer to award joint custody to both parents unless there are compelling reasons to do otherwise. Joint custody can be either physical or legal, or both.

Of course, not all 50/50 custody arrangements are precisely equal. The specific timeshare schedule and decision-making responsibilities will vary depending on the case's particular circumstances. However, the courts in New Mexico will generally start with the presumption that 50/50 custody is in the child's best interests.

Our experienced child custody lawyers in Albuquerque are proud to serve the families of Bernalillo County, New Mexico and will be happy to fight for you and your child's best interest.  

Contact us today at (505) 431-4716 to speak with our New Mexico child custody lawyers.

Why Work With NM Divorce & Custody Law, LLC?

  • We have decades of combined experience.
  • We go the extra mile to ensure your family's needs are taken care of.
  • We provide compassionate counsel to get you through difficult, emotional times.
  • Your family's well-being is of the utmost importance to us.

Creating a Parenting Plan That Works for Your Family

When it comes to child custody, it's important to create a parenting plan that prioritizes the well-being and best interests of your children. Our experienced Albuquerque child custody attorneys at NM Divorce & Custody Law, LLC understand the complexities of family dynamics and can help you navigate the legal process to develop a parenting plan that works for your unique situation.

Key elements of a successful parenting plan may include:

  • Parenting time schedules
  • Decision-making authority for important issues regarding your children
  • Communication guidelines for co-parenting
  • Provisions for holidays, vacations, and special occasions
  • Methods for resolving disputes or conflicts

Our team is dedicated to advocating for the best interests of your children and finding solutions that promote a healthy co-parenting relationship. Contact our Albuquerque visitation attorneys today to discuss your child custody concerns and start building a parenting plan that works for your family.

"Tamara did a wonderful job, was super professional and very conscientious of her time and fees. Our divorce was amicable and she made it very easy. Thank you!."

Everyone’s support was wonderful, and so needed, during such a brutal, emotional, and heartbreaking time. - M.F.

Types of Custody Arrangements in New Mexico

Physical Custody vs. Legal Custody

There are two types of custody in New Mexico: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody refers to which days the child is in each parent’s home and care.  Legal custody refers to decision-making power over major aspects of the children’s lives, such as residence, religion, education, medical care, and major recreational activities. Legal custody does not determine how much time is spent with each parent.

Sole Custody vs. Joint Custody

Custody arrangements may be considered “sole” or “joint.” Sole custody means that only one parent is granted physical and legal custody of the child. Note that in some situations, even if one parent has sole custody, the other parent may still have visitation, often in a supervised setting.  Joint custody, on the other hand, means that each parent has the right and responsibility to participate in making decisions about key areas of the child’s life, and there is a visitation schedule in place. 
 

It is most common for New Mexico parents to receive joint legal custody with a specific schedule of when the child is in each parent’s physical custody on a regular basis and shared holidays.

Parents with joint custody may participate in decisions involving a child’s:

  • Residence. If the child lives in New Mexico, then neither parent can move the child out of state or generally more than 50 miles from the current town without the written consent of the other parent or a court order approving the relocation.
  • Religion. The religious practices the child followed (or did not follow) at the time of the divorce remains the same, meaning one parent cannot unilaterally change the religious practices of the child even if that parent changes his/her own beliefs or practices.
  • Education / Day Care: If possible, the child should remain in the same school system, post-divorce. This includes private schooling if the parents can still afford this option. If the child is in public school or homeschool, the child should still receive their education in that environment. A young child should also remain in the same daycare or with the same after-school caregiver as before the divorce when possible.
  • Non-Emergency Medical Treatment: Both parents have the right to attend non-emergency doctor or dental appointments with the child and have the right to speak with the medical providers. The child should continue to go the same medical providers post-divorce as long as they are covered by the child’s insurance plan.

Child Custody Lawyers Defending Your Visitation Rights in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The correct legal term for when the child spends time with each parent is called “periods of responsibility.” Most people still use the term “visitation” or “timesharing”. This is the area of greatest disagreement between some parents who are divorcing or breaking up.

With that said, divorce or legal separation is a major upheaval for the entire family and the child will have to make some adjustments. There is no “default” or “standard” visitation schedule, even though it was common in previous times for the children to spend the majority of their time with the mother and every other weekend with the father, plus sharing holidays.

What Does "Best Interests of the Child" Mean and How Does it Affect Custody Decisions?

The time-sharing schedule of a child largely depends on who the primary caretaker of the child was before the divorce or legal separation. The judge focuses on the "best interests of the child."

The factors evaluated might include:

  • The child's age
  • The child's education, health care, extracurricular, or religious upbringing
  • Each parent's capability to provide financially for the child's needs
  • The child's relationship to each parent individually
  • The child's relationship with siblings or other family members
  • If there is evidence of drug or alcohol abuse from the parent
  • If the parent has been violent in the past
  • The child's personal preferences if he or she is old enough

Very young children usually cannot handle well spending significant time away from the parent with whom they are primarily bonded. This does not mean the child does not love both parents; it means the child depends on one parent to meet most of his or her daily needs.


We will work towards mediation and try to achieve the most positive outcome possible for your children. 
Contact us today or give us a call to request a consultation with our child custody lawyers in Albuquerque, NM. 


What Sets NM Divorce & Custody Law, LLC Apart?

Passionate & Personalized Representation
  • We think outside the box to find the best solution for you and your family.
  • Our lead attorney has extensive experience in private practice & as a former prosecutor, and will take your case to trial.
  • Our team has 20+ years of experience.
  • We will manage expectations and not promise more than what the law would allow given the facts of your case.
NM Divorce & Custody Law, LLC NM Divorce & Custody Law, LLC
NM Divorce & Custody Law, LLC handled my divorce case and has represented my custody case changes for about three years.

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