Native American Rights Fund, A Practical Guide to the Indian Child Welfare Act, New Mexico Court Rules

N.M. Ct. R. Form 4-981

New Mexico Rules

State Court Rules

Civil Forms

Article 9. Statutory Proceedings


Form 4-981. Petition for Order Appointing Kinship Guardian


[Simplified petition, Kinship Guardianship Act, Sections

 40-10B-1 to 40-10B-14 NMSA 1978 [FN1]


______________ JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

COUNTY OF _______________________________________________

STATE OF NEW MEXICO


_________________________________________________________

Petitioner [FN2]


v.                                                            No. __________


_______________ and _____________________________________

Respondents [FN3]


IN THE MATTER OF THE KINSHIP GUARDIANSHIP OF __________, born __________  [FN4]


PETITION FOR ORDER APPOINTING KINSHIP GUARDIAN [FN5]


1.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE PETITIONERS (the persons filing this petition

     requesting to be appointed to serve as a kinship guardian.)

   A.  The [petitioner is] [petitioners are] the child's [FN2]:

       [ ]   maternal [grandparents] [grandparent] (child's mother's parents);

       [ ]   paternal [grandparents] [grandparent] (child's father's parents);

       [ ]   aunt;

       [ ]   uncle;

       [ ]   brother;

       [ ]   sister;

       [ ]   a family member:

             ____________________ (describe the family relationship);

       [ ]   an adult with whom the child has a significant bond:

             _________________________________________________________________

             (describe the relationship)

   B.  The petitioner or petitioners reside at:

       ________________________________________ (street address)

       ________________________________________ (city, state, zip code)

       ________________________________________ (telephone number)

       ________________________________________ (fax number, if any)

   C.  Venue is proper because the child or children reside in this county or

         this county is the legal residence of the child or children.

   (check applicable alternative)

   D.  [ ]   The above named child has lived with the petitioner or

               petitioners for ninety (90) or more days immediately preceding

               the filing of this petition.

       [ ]   Each respondent has consented to the appointment of kinship

               guardians. The consent forms are attached to this petition.

               [FN6]

   E.  The petitioner or petitioners accept the duties and responsibilities of

         guardianship, including providing for the care, maintenance and

         supervision of the child.

   F.  The above child is not an Indian child and is not subject to provisions

         of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act. [FN5]

2.  REQUEST FOR COURT TO NAME PETITIONERS AS KINSHIP GUARDIANS OF A MINOR CHILD

   The petitioners request the court to enter an order appointing the

     [ petitioner] [petitioners] as [guardian] [guardians] of the following

     child of __________ [FN7] (father) and __________ [FN7] (mother), who are

     the respondents in this case: (List the name and the date of birth of the

     child and each address of the child for the last five (5) years. Use a

     separate sheet if necessary.) [FN8]

       Name: _________________________________________________________________

             (last name, first and middle)

       Date of birth: ________________________________________________________

       Place of birth: _______________________________________________________

       Present address:

       ________________________________________ (street)

       ________________________________________ (city)

       ________________________________________ (state and zip code)

       Next previous address:

       ________________________________________ (street)

       ________________________________________ (city)

       ________________________________________ (state and zip code)

       Next previous address:

       ________________________________________ (street)

       ________________________________________ (city)

       ________________________________________ (state and zip code)

3.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHILD'S PARENTS

   A.  Information about mother:

       (Check each applicable statement.)

       [ ]   ____________________ (mother's name) is the mother of the child.

               Her current address is ____________________ (city, county and

               state and zip code.)

       [ ]   The mother is living and has consented in writing [FN9] to [my]

               [our] appointment as kinship guardian. (Attach consent form

               signed by child's mother.)

       [ ]   The mother is deceased. (Attach death certificate to this

               petition.)

       [ ]   The mother is living but her parental rights have been terminated

               by an earlier court order. (Attach a copy of the court order to

               this petition.)

   B.  Information about father:

       (Check each applicable statement.)

       [ ]   ____________________ (father's name) is the father of the child.

               His current address is ____________________ (city, county and

               state and zip code.)

       [ ]   The father is living and has consented in writing [FN6] to [my]

               [our] appointment as kinship guardian. (Attach consent form

               signed by child's father.)

       [ ]   The father is deceased. (Attach death certificate to this

               petition.)

       [ ]   The father is living but his parental rights have been terminated

               by an earlier court order. (Attach a copy of the court order to

               this petition.)

       [ ]   Although the petitioner believes ____________________ (name of

               alleged father) to be the father of the child, he has not

               acknowledged that he is child's father.

       [ ]   The name of the father of the child is not known by the

               petitioners because: (explain) ____________________.


4.  INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER CASES (complete if applicable)

   A.   The following divorce, separation, order of protection, child support,

          paternity, abuse or neglect [FN10] cases have been previously filed

          involving the above parents:

        (complete if known)

        Type of Case       Year Filed        Case Number

        Where Filed

        _________________  ________________  ________________

        _________________  ________________  ________________

        _________________  ________________  ________________

        _________________  ________________  ________________

   B.   (Complete if applicable.) The following persons, other than the

          petitioner or petitioners or the parents of the [child] [children],

          have or claim to have custody of the [child] [children] or

          visitation rights to the [child] [children]

        (List names of each guardian, custodian or person with visitation

          rights and circle applicable claim.)

        ______________________________ (name) [guardian]

        [custody] [visitation]

        ______________________________ (name) [guardian]

        [custody] [visitation]

        ______________________________ (name) [custody]

        [visitation]

5.  CHILD OVER FOURTEEN (14) YEARS OF AGE OR MARRIED

   (Complete if applicable)

   ____________________ (name of child) was born on ____________________ (date

     of birth) and at the time of the hearing on this petition will be at

     least fourteen (14) years of age.

   ____________________ (name of child):

   (Check if applicable)

   [ ]  has signed an affidavit nominating __________ (name of person

          nominated) to be appointed as guardian. A copy of the signed

          nomination is attached and made a part of this petition. [FN11]

   [ ]  has been served with a copy of this petition and a copy of the

          nominating petition, but has failed or refused to sign the

          nomination form.

   [ ]  is married

   [ ]  is not married

6.  CHILD SUPPORT

   (Check applicable alternative)

   [ ]  [I] [We] request that the court enter a child support order ordering

          __________ (name of parent or parents) to pay child support [FN12].

   [ ]  [I] [We] do not request child support.



STATE OF NEW MEXICO     )

                       )  ss

COUNTY OF ____________  )


The [petitioner was sworn and states] [petitioners were sworn and state]:  [I]  [We] have read this petition and it is true to the best of [my] [our] knowledge and belief.  [I] [We] understand that [I] [We] can be punished both civilly and criminally if any information in this petition is false.


____________________                 ___________________________________

Date                                 Signature of Petitioner


____________________                 ___________________________________

Date                                 Signature of Petitioner


Signed and sworn before me on this ___ day of __________, ___.


Notary public


______________________________


My commission expires:  ____________________.


USE NOTES

[FN1] Civil Forms 4-981 to 4-992 NMRA may be used in the district courts of this State by persons who are representing themselves in uncontested kinship guardianship proceedings.  Civil Forms 4-981 to 4-991 NMRA are not required to be used.  Parties represented by an attorney may use other forms that serve the same purpose.


[FN2] The petitioner must be a spouse, parent, stepparent, godparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, first cousin or any person denoted by the prefix "grand" or "great", the spouse or former spouse of the child or an adult with whom the child as a significant bond.  See Section 40-10B-5 NMSA 1978 for persons who may file as a petitioner pursuant to the Kinship Guardianship Act.


[FN3] Unless the child's parent is deceased or the parent's parental rights have been terminated, the parent must be joined as a respondent.  This petition must be served on each parent of the child in the manner provided by Rule 1- 004 NMRA for personal service to Rule 1-004 NMRA, unless:


(a) a consent form has been signed by the parent;


(b) the parent is deceased and a death certificate is attached to this petition at the time it is filed;


(c) the parent's rights as a parent have been terminated by a court order and a copy of the order is attached to this petition at the time it is filed.


Civil Form 4-982, "Kinship Guardianship Summons" has been provided for use with this petition.


[FN4] Insert the name or the initials of the minor child and the child's birthdate.  This form may be modified to include additional minor children. The name of a child shall not be made available to the public on the internet.


[FN5] This form cannot be used without revision if the child is an Indian child.  In these cases the form of the petition and the manner of notice must comply with federal law.  The Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC Section 1901 et seq., defines "Indian child" as follows:


"'Indian child' means any unmarried person who is under age eighteen and is either (a) a member of an Indian tribe or (b) is eligible for membership in an Indian tribe and is the biological child of a member of an Indian tribe."


25 U.S.C. Section 1903(4).  If the child is enrolled or is eligible for enrollment in an Indian tribe, the form of the petition and the manner of the notice must comply with federal law.  The parent or Indian custodian of an Indian child may have the right to have the child returned upon demand as may be determined by tribal law or custom.


[FN6] See Forms 4-985 or Form 4-986 NMRA for parental consent forms.


[FN7] If the parent is deceased insert "deceased" instead of address and check the "deceased" box.  A copy of the death certificate must be attached to this Petition.


[FN8] Section 40-10-10 NMSA 1978 of the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act requires the first pleading of every custody action to give information under oath as to the child's present address, the places where the child has lived within the last 5 years and the names and present addresses of the persons with whom the child has lived during that period.


[FN9] Attach a copy of each parent's Verified Parental Consent to Appointment of Guardian and Waiver of Service of Process to this petition.  See Civil Forms 4-985 and 4-986 NMRA.


[FN10] If an abuse or neglect or other proceeding has been filed by the Children, Youth and Families Department, that department must file a consent to the appointment of petitioners as Kinship Guardians.  Attach a copy of such consent to this petition.


[FN11] If the child is fourteen (14) years of age or older, the child must be served with a copy of this Petition or a copy of the Nomination of Guardian Form, Civil Form 4-983 NMRA, must be attached to this Petition at the time it is filed.


[FN12] The child's mother may be ordered to pay child support.  The respondent named as the child's father may be ordered to pay child support if the respondent father has admitted paternity or paternity has been established by another proceeding.  See Civil Forms 4A-331 and 4A-332 NMRA for a petition to establish paternity and a final decree of paternity.

 


 

N.M. Ct. R. 10-305

New Mexico Rules

State Court Rules

Children's Court Rules and Forms

Article 3. Abuse and Neglect Proceedings


Rule 10-305. Filing of Petition; Amendment of Petition; Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem


A. Form and Contents.  Petitions or amended petitions alleging abuse or neglect shall be in a form approved by the Supreme Court.


B. Time Limits.  If a child is taken into custody, a petition alleging abuse or neglect shall be filed by the department within two (2) days from the date that the child is taken into emergency custody by the department.  If a petition is not filed within the time set forth in this paragraph, the child shall be released to the child's parents, guardian or custodian.


C. Service.  A petition alleging abuse or neglect shall be served as provided by Rule 10-104 of these rules.  A copy of the petition shall also be served on a parent who has not been made a party with a notice that the parent may intervene and request custody of the child.


D. Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem.  Upon the filing of a petition in an abuse or neglect proceeding, a guardian ad litem shall be appointed by the court to represent the child.


E. Notice to Indian Tribes.  If the alleged abused or neglected child is enrolled or eligible for enrollment in an Indian tribe, the Children, Youth and Families Department shall give notice of the filing of the petition to the child's Indian tribe.  The form and manner of the notice shall comply with the provisions of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.


F. Amended Petitions.  The department may file an amended petition alleging abuse or neglect:


(1) once as a matter of course at any time within twenty (20) days after it is served;  or


(2) upon leave of court.

 


 

N.M. Ct. R. Form 10-470

New Mexico Rules

State Court Rules

Children's Court Rules and Forms

Article 4. Children's Court Forms


Form 10-470. Motion for Termination of Parental Rights


[10-330]


STATE OF NEW MEXICO

__________ COUNTY                                   No. ____________________

__________ JUDICIAL DISTRICT

IN THE CHILDREN'S COURT


_________________________________________________,

Petitioner


v.

_________________________________________________,

Respondent.



                  MOTION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS


I, _______________ (name of petitioner) state that:


1.   The petitioner is the [department] _______________________________________

      (set forth the relationship of the moving party to the child)1; and


2.   The [respondent is] [respondents are] the [father] [and] [mother] of the

      following children who reside in this state:

    Name                                             Date of birth

    ___________________________________  _____________________________________

    ___________________________________  _____________________________________

    ___________________________________  _____________________________________


3.   If anyone other than the parties to this proceeding has either physical

      custody or claims to have custody or visitation rights of a child listed

      above, complete the following for each child:


    Child's name                                Person claiming rights

    ___________________________________  _____________________________________

    ___________________________________  _____________________________________

    ___________________________________  _____________________________________

    ___________________________________  _____________________________________



(use applicable alternative)


4.   [The child is not subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act;]2


    [The child is subject to the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.


    (a)  The child's father is a member of _______________ (tribal

           affiliation)


         The child's mother is a member of _______________ (tribal

           affiliation)


    (b)  The [department] [moving party] has taken the following actions to

           notify the parents' tribes:

         _____________________________________________________________________

         _____________________________________________________________________

         _____________________________________________________________________

         (set forth the actions taken, the names, address, titles and

           telephone numbers of the persons contacted)


         The results of the contacts are as follows:

         _____________________________________________________________________

         _____________________________________________________________________


         The following correspondence with the tribes is attached as exhibits:

           ___________________________________________________________________

           _______________ (Attach copies of any correspondence with the

           tribes as exhibits to the petition);]


    (c)  The following specific efforts were made to comply with the placement

           preferences set forth in the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of

           1978 or the placement preferences of the appropriate Indian tribes:

           ___________________________________________________________________

           ____________________.]3


5.   [A New Mexico court, a tribal court or a court in another state has

      previously set conditions of child custody or child support for any or

      all of the children listed above in _______________ (style of case and

      docket number).]4


6.   As grounds for termination of the parental rights of respondent, the

      [petitioner] [moving party] states:

    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________


7.   The facts and circumstances supporting the grounds for termination are as

      follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________


8.   The following persons or agencies should be considered by the court to

      take custody of the respondent's children:

    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________


9.   __________ (name of child) resides or has resided with __________, a

      foster parent, who [desires]5 [does not desire] to adopt this child;


10.  [This motion has been filed by the [petitioner] [moving party] in

      contemplation of adoption proceedings.]


    [Adoption of __________ (name of child) is not contemplated at this time;]


11.  It is in the best interest of __________ (name of child) that the parental

      rights of __________ be terminated.


WHEREFORE, [petitioner] [the moving party] requests the court:


1.   For termination of respondent's parental rights and continuing the child

      in the legal custody of the department until the child is adopted or

      until further order of the court;


2.   For such other relief as appropriate.



                            VERIFICATION


STATE OF NEW MEXICO             )

COUNTY OF ____________________  )  ss

TRIBE OR PUEBLO ______________  )



   I have read and understand the contents of this petition and the statements

 made are true and correct to the best of my information and belief.


   I understand that I can be punished both civilly and criminally if

 statements I have made in this petition are false.


____________________________________  _________________________________________

Date                                  Signature of petitioner or

                                     moving party


                                     _________________________________________

                                     Petitioner's or moving party's

                                     street address


                                     _________________________________________

                                     Petitioner's or moving party's

                                     City, state and zip code


   Signed and sworn before me on this _____ day of __________, _____.


____________________________________       My commission expires:

Notary Public                              ____________________________________


USE NOTES

1. Section 32A-4-29 NMSA 1978 permits a motion to terminate to be filed by the department, a licensed child placement agent of any other person having a legitimate interest in the matter.  Rule 10-330 requires the person to be a party.


2. If the child is not subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act, this paragraph must be included.  If the child is subject to that act, this paragraph may be deleted.


3. If the child is subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. Section 1901, et seq., the petition must include the following:


(a) the tribal affiliations of the child's parents;


(b) the specific actions taken by the moving party to notify the parents' tribes and the results of the contacts, including the names, addresses, titles and telephone numbers of the persons contacted.  Copies of any correspondence with the tribes shall be attached as exhibits to the petition;  and


(c) what specific efforts were made to comply with the placement preferences set forth in the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 or the placement preferences of the appropriate Indian tribes.


4. If the child is subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act, this paragraph must be completed.  If the child is not subject to that act, this paragraph may be deleted.


5. Use only applicable alternative.  Inapplicable alternatives may be deleted.

 


 

N.M. Ct. R. 11-901

New Mexico Rules

State Court Rules

Rules of Evidence

Article 9. Authentication and Identification


Rule 11-901. Requirement of Authentication or Identification


A. General Provision.  The requirement of authentication or identification as a condition precedent to admissibility is satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in question is what its proponent claims.


B. Illustrations.  By way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation, the following are examples of authentication or identification conforming with the requirements of this rule:


(1) Testimony of Witness With Knowledge.  Testimony that a matter is what it is claimed to be.


(2) Nonexpert Opinion on Handwriting.  Nonexpert opinion as to the genuineness of handwriting, based upon familiarity not acquired for purposes of the litigation.


(3) Comparison by Trier or Expert Witness.  Comparison by the trier of fact or by expert witnesses with specimens which have been authenticated.


(4) Distinctive Characteristics and the Like.  Appearance, contents, substance, internal patterns or other distinctive characteristics, taken in conjunction with circumstances.