New Mexico § 45-5-404 - Original petition for appointment of conservator

Full text of New Mexico New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 45-5-404 — Original petition for appointment of conservator, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 45-5-404. Original petition for appointment of conservator

A. The following may petition for the appointment of a conservator: (1) a person interested in the estate, financial affairs or welfare of an individual,

including a person that would be adversely affected by lack of effective management

of property or financial affairs of an individual; or (2) the guardian for an individual. B. A petition under Subsection A of this section shall state the petitioner's name,

principal residence, current street address, if different, relationship to the alleged

incapacitated person, interest in the appointment, the name and address of any attorney

representing the petitioner and, to the extent known, the following: (1) the alleged incapacitated person's name, age, principal residence, current street

address, if different, and, if different, address of the dwelling in which it is proposed

that the alleged incapacitated person will reside if the petition is granted; (2) the name and address of the alleged incapacitated person's: (a) spouse, or, if the alleged incapacitated person has none, an adult with whom the

alleged incapacitated person is in a long-term relationship of indefinite duration

in which the individual has demonstrated an actual commitment to the alleged incapacitated

person similar to the commitment of a spouse and in which the individual and the alleged

incapacitated person consider themselves to be responsible for each other's well-being; (b) adult children or, if none, each parent and adult sibling of the alleged incapacitated

person or, if none, at least one adult nearest in kinship to the alleged incapacitated

person who can be found with reasonable diligence; and (c) adult stepchildren whom the alleged incapacitated person actively parented during

the stepchildren's minor years and with whom the alleged incapacitated person had

an ongoing relationship during the two years immediately preceding the filing of the

petition; (3) the name and current address of each of the following, if applicable: (a) a person responsible for the care or custody of the alleged incapacitated person; (b) any attorney currently representing the alleged incapacitated person; (c) the representative payee appointed by the federal social security administration

for the alleged incapacitated person; (d) a guardian or conservator acting for the alleged incapacitated person in New Mexico

or another jurisdiction; (e) a trustee or custodian of a trust or custodianship of which the alleged incapacitated

person is a beneficiary; (f) the fiduciary appointed for the alleged incapacitated person by the federal department

of veterans affairs; (g) an agent designated under a power of attorney for health care in which the alleged

incapacitated person is identified as the principal; (h) an agent designated under a power of attorney for finances in which the alleged

incapacitated person is identified as the principal; (i) a person known to have routinely assisted the alleged incapacitated person with

decision making in the six-month period immediately before the filing of the petition;

and (j) any proposed conservator, including a person nominated by the alleged incapacitated

person; (4) a general statement of the alleged incapacitated person's property with an estimate

of its value, including any insurance or pension and the source and amount of other

anticipated income or receipts; (5) the reason conservatorship is necessary, including a brief description of: (a) the nature and extent of the alleged incapacitated person's alleged need; (b) if the petition alleges the alleged incapacitated person is missing, detained

or unable to return to the United States, the relevant circumstances, including the

time and nature of the disappearance or detention and any search or inquiry concerning

the alleged incapacitated person's whereabouts; (c) any less restrictive alternative for meeting the alleged incapacitated person's

alleged need that has been considered or implemented; (d) if no less restrictive alternatives have been considered or implemented, the reason

it has not been considered or implemented; and (e) the reason a less restrictive alternative is insufficient to meet the alleged

incapacitated person's need; (6) whether the petitioner seeks a limited conservatorship or a full conservatorship; (7) if the petitioner seeks a full conservatorship, the reason a limited conservatorship

instead of conservatorship is not appropriate; (8) if the petition includes the name of a proposed conservator, the reason the proposed

conservator should be appointed; (9) if the petition is for a limited conservatorship, a description of the property

to be placed under the conservator's control and any requested limitation on the authority

of the conservator; (10) whether the alleged incapacitated person needs an interpreter, translator or

other form of support to communicate effectively with the court or understand court

proceedings; and (11) the name and address of an attorney representing the petitioner, if any.

Source: official New Mexico text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About New Mexico § 45-5-404

What does New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 45-5-404 cover?

Section 45-5-404 ("Original petition for appointment of conservator") is part of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated, the codified statutory law of New Mexico. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New Mexico § 45-5-404?

A common citation format is "New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 45-5-404" (New Mexico). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New Mexico law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Mexico official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Mexico attorney.

How does New Mexico § 45-5-404 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Mexico can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Mexico.