Published by Law Office of Anita M. Kelley · Updated
For people seeking information about this matter in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico.
Anita M. Kelley handles New Mexico family-law matters, including divorce, child custody and support, parentage, adoption, kinship guardianship, family agreements, and protective-order concerns. The right next step depends on your existing orders, where a case belongs, the decisions that need attention, and any immediate safety issue or deadline.
Start with the decision you need help making
You may be considering a separation, responding to court papers, trying to make a parenting arrangement work, or caring for a child whose parents cannot provide care. Those situations can require different proceedings. Tell the firm whether a case already exists and what needs to happen next; you do not need to know the correct legal label before making an inquiry.
For an initial request, identify the other adult parties, your county, any hearing or response date, and a safe way to contact you. A short outline is enough. Wait until the firm requests records through an appropriate channel before sending private financial documents, children's identifying information, or detailed accounts of abuse.
Divorce, property, debt, and support
A divorce ends a marriage through a court decree and can address property, debts, financial support, and arrangements for children. An uncontested case still needs complete terms and the required court process. A contested case may involve disagreement about only one issue or several connected issues.
Anita's family-law practice includes contested and uncontested divorce, high-asset matters, property and debt division, and spousal-support questions. For a first discussion, flag real estate, a business, retirement accounts, unusual debt, or an existing agreement. Avoid making assumptions about ownership from whose name appears on an account; the records and applicable law need review.
Sources: Second Judicial District — About Family Court
Children, parenting, and changing orders
Custody, parenting time, and child support raise related but distinct questions. A workable proposal should address the child's day-to-day needs as well as how adults will make decisions. The court's focus is the child's best interests; no result follows simply from a parent's preferred label.
The firm handles parenting plans, child support, custody and support modification, relocation concerns, and enforcement questions. Identify the current order and the specific change or problem. If the issue is a missed payment or exchange, preserve dates and the relevant communication without involving the child in collecting evidence or choosing sides.
For an enforcement or contempt concern, identify the exact order, the conduct at issue, and the relevant dates. For child-support questions, note whether support has already been ordered and what has changed. The appropriate request and any available remedy require review; the public intake form does not calculate support or decide whether an order was violated.
Sources: New Mexico Courts — Child Support and Custody; Primary source
Parentage, adoption, and kinship care
Parentage, adoption, kinship guardianship, and requests by grandparents or other caregivers should not be treated as interchangeable. The appropriate route depends on legal relationships, existing orders, the child's circumstances, and the person asking the court to act.
New Mexico Courts explains that kinship guardianship can transfer many parental responsibilities to a caregiver while leaving some rights with the parents. A guardian does not acquire the right to consent to adoption merely by becoming a kinship guardian. If you are raising a relative's child or considering adoption, begin with the current caregiving arrangement and any existing proceedings; do not assume that caregiving alone establishes the requested legal authority.
Sources: New Mexico Courts — Kinship Guardianship; Primary source
Agreements, mediation, and individual family circumstances
For a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, explain whether an agreement is proposed or already signed and whether a wedding or another decision date is approaching. The firm can review the requested work and potential conflicts before discussing detailed terms. An agreement's existence does not answer every question about its effect or enforceability.
Mediation or settlement facilitation may help resolve family disputes. A neutral facilitator and an attorney representing one participant have different roles. Tell the firm whether you want advice before a session, representation in the process, or review of proposed terms. Safety, pressure, and the ability to participate meaningfully need attention when evaluating a settlement process.
The firm welcomes inquiries about same-sex family-law matters and military divorce. Mention an existing parentage or adoption order, another state's proceedings, active-duty obligations, or deployment dates when relevant so the appropriate issues can be identified.
Sources: Second Judicial District — Settlement Facilitation
Safety concerns and urgent court dates
If there is an immediate danger, call 911 or local emergency services when it is safe to do so. This website is not monitored as an emergency service. An online inquiry does not obtain a protection order, change custody, or postpone a hearing.
A New Mexico order of protection is a court process that may address domestic abuse and related temporary relief. The court decides whether the legal requirements are met. If you need help with a protective order or emergency custody concern, identify the urgent date and whether another order exists. Use a device and contact method you believe are safe; tell the firm if voicemail or a return call could create a problem.
Sources: New Mexico Courts — Order of Protection Process
Prepare for an initial discussion
- List the adult parties and the county or court involved for an initial conflict and location check.
- Note whether you have received a petition, motion, order, or hearing notice and the next stated date.
- Identify the existing arrangement and the one or two decisions you want help addressing.
- Keep orders and records available for a later requested consultation; do not upload sensitive documents with the initial inquiry.
- Choose a safe contact method and time, including whether a voicemail is appropriate.
Important limits
This is general New Mexico information, not advice about a particular family or a prediction of custody, support, adoption, protection, or any other result.
Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship or mean that the firm has agreed to act. Conflicts and availability must be evaluated.
Keep following applicable orders and deadlines unless they are changed through the proper process. Do not wait for a website response to address an emergency or expiring deadline.
Common questions
Does Anita Kelley handle family-law matters in New Mexico?
Yes. The firm's family-law practice includes divorce, custody and support, parentage, adoption, kinship guardianship, family agreements, and protective-order concerns. Acceptance of a particular matter depends on conflict review and the firm's agreement to represent you.
Can I contact the firm if a court case is already open?
Yes. Identify the court, the other adult parties, any existing lawyer, and the next hearing or response date. Do not assume the inquiry changes an order or extends a deadline.
Are kinship guardianship and adoption the same?
No. They are different legal processes. New Mexico Courts explains that kinship guardianship transfers many caregiving responsibilities but does not itself give the guardian authority to consent to adoption.
What should I send with my first inquiry?
Send basic contact and conflict-screening information, the type of family matter, your county, and any urgent date. Use a short summary and wait until requested before sending private documents or children's identifying details.