There are several types of Family Court cases that can be opened at the District Court to resolve specific domestic relations issues. 

The Domestic Relations Division (DR) is responsible for filing into and managing the Court records for Family Court cases, which include:

• Divorce/Dissolution of Marriage
• Legal Separation
• Annulment
• Parentage/Custody
• Kinship Guardianship of a Minor Child
• Child Support
• Domestic Violence/Restraining Orders

In a divorce or legal separation case, parties may ask the judge for orders that include child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, the division of assets and debts, and restraining orders.  Parentage cases involve resolution of issues regarding the child or children of the parties only.  Annulment information is available at the UNM Law Library.

After a divorce or annulment is granted, the parties will again have the status of unmarried persons and may legally remarry.  Legal Separation usually establishes a separation of property and debt and any custody, visitation and support issues, but does not dissolve a marriage and return parties to unmarried status.

Domestic Relations clerks may assist customers with procedural information for filing requirements.  If a party to a DM case does not understand the forms, his/her legal rights, or the legal issues of a case, the DR Division suggests he/she seeks assistance from a qualified legal professional.  A list of community resources can be found here.

Attorneys must use the Tyler E-File and Serve program except in specific situations involving reduced fee.  More information about e-filing is available here.

Domestic Violence (DV) restraining order cases are filed in the DV Clerk’s Office, also on the Second Floor of the Downtown Courthouse, in Room 274.  More information about DV cases is available here.

Select prepared packets for Domestic Matters cases are available for purchase though both the DR Clerk’s Office and at the Center for Self Help and Dispute Resolution on the First Floor of the Downtown Courthouse in Room 119.  Most Family Court forms are also available for download and printing here.

Additional information about Clerk’s Office procedures and services is available by contacting the Domestic Relations Division by telephone at 505-841-7421.