Albuquerque Divorce Lawyer Blog

Child support payments can become an extremely contentious issue among former partners. While non-custodial parents sometimes simply fail to pay their child support obligations, in other situations non-custodial parents pay child support regularly, but a vindictive custodial parent claims not to have received payment. For this and other reasons, it is important to keep accurate documentation and proof of every child support payment. Parents that chose not to document payments, or to pay in cash, face several serious consequences.

In general, New Mexico child support orders contain a mandatory wage withholding provision where child support payments are deducted directly from the non-custodial parent's paycheck. However, certain child support orders do not contain a wage withholding provision. This can happen if the non-custodial parent is unemployed or self-employed or both parents and the court come to an agreement on a different payment method.

Problems often arise in these situations when a non-custodial parent pays child support and the custodial parent claims that they did not receive the payments. The most difficult problems occur when the non-custodial parent has paid child support in cash and there is no documentation of the payment ever being made. Documentation of payment can be in the form of cancelled checks, money order receipts signed by both parents, cash receipts signed by both parents, bank statements, or any other form of record that shows support was paid by one parent and actually received by the other parent.

The New Mexico Human Services Department's Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) enforces child support orders. If a dispute over payment of child support arises, under CSED regulations, the non-custodial parent has the burden of proving that payments were made; CSED does not have to prove that the non-custodial parent did not pay child support. If a parent cannot show proof of payment of child support, under CSED regulations child support has not been paid, the parent will not be given credit for undocumented payments, and CSED has the authority to obtain payment through several different methods, such as intercepting tax refunds.

If a non-custodial parent cannot prove that they paid their child support, then the custodial parent can initiate a CSED action to obtain the support payments that are allegedly due. If there is no possibility for wage garnishment because the parent is unemployed or self-employed, CSED may place a lien on property owned by the non-custodial parent, suspend driver's and professional licenses, seize bank accounts, intercept federal and state tax refunds, and seek contempt fines and jail time.

Child support payments are also enforced under Federal Deadbeat Parent Punishment Act ("Deadbeat Dad Act"). Under the Deadbeat Dad Act, a parent that willfully fails to pay child support faces a prison sentence of up to two years and may be ordered to pay restitution.

In order to avoid having to prove child support payments should a custodial parent claim that payments were not received, a non-custodial parent can apply for CSED to collect and distribute payments. This will create a record of payments made by the non-custodial parent. Non-custodial parents who are self- employed may also be able to arrange for automatic funds transfers from their bank to CSED. Non-custodial parents often resist wage-withholding orders, but it can be the best way to ensure that they are given proper credit for all of their child support payments.

Child support issues can spiral out of control quickly, especially if one parent claims to have paid support and the other parent claims the contrary and if CSED is involved. For this reason, it is important to pay child support in a way that can be documented. If you are having problems with a former partner regarding child support payments, an experienced family law attorney will be able to identify your responsibilities under New Mexico law.

Related Reading:

• 5 Tips to Help Child Support Go Smoothly


• Child Support Wage Withholding Benefits All!


• Ability to Pay in Child Support Contempt Hearings

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

The idea of an uncontested divorce is commonly misunderstood. The idea of an uncontested divorce is obviously appealing but not always practical or achievable. A distinction must be drawn between contested and high conflict. There is a very significant difference between the two.

Divorce is generally difficult; even an amicable divorce can become complicated. Since divorce is often a costly transition, many couples seek to cut expenses by pursuing an uncontested divorce. However, an uncontested divorce implies total agreement on a wide range of issues that may not be obvious at the outset. While an uncontested divorce may be the right choice to dissolve a short marriage with no children and few assets, it is not generally a good choice for longer marriages, especially if there are children, property, assets and debt involved.

To obtain an uncontested divorce in New Mexico, at least one of the spouses must have lived in the state for the previous six months. The parties then must prepare, agree upon and sign a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA), which a judge accepts. After acceptance, the duties and rights in the MSA become legally binding on both parties. For a flat fee, some divorce attorneys will prepare and file all of the necessary documents for an uncontested divorce.

However, it is seldom the case that parties have reached perfect agreement on every issue that may be pertinent to their divorce. There are several issues concerning property division, child support, child custody, tax, and debt that couples may overlook when agreeing to an uncontested divorce. In trying to obtain a fast resolution, many couples often avoid important conversations and decisions, only to be forced to revisit these sometimes difficult and then more pressing issues in the future, resulting in far greater cost.

One of the most important issues couples must agree on is the division of property and debt. New Mexico is a community property state, where both marital assets and debt are divided equally upon divorce. In some cases, parties do not have a clear financial picture of their community property and may be agreeing to an arrangement that is not to their advantage. Many spouses may try to hide their assets to avoid giving their soon-to-be ex a fair share of the marital estate. A major issue is that in an uncontested divorce is that there is seldom discovery or disclosure of assets. If one spouse is indeed hiding certain assets, then clearly there is no real agreement on the division. And though a party can return to court to address the concealment of assets, it is a difficult and expensive process.

Child support is also a very complex issue in a divorce. If filing for an uncontested divorce in New Mexico, the couple must also submit a Parenting Plan with a child support worksheet. The Parenting Plan includes each parent's obligation for each child, which must comply with the New Mexico child support guidelines. Couples considering an uncontested divorce should also come to an agreement on custody, the possibility of one parent moving to another state, medical costs and insurance premiums, and educational costs. These can quickly cause an escalation of conflict when they have not been properly addressed.

Debt is an issue all its own and unfortunately, the debt often far exceeds any assets the couple may have.. In community property states like New Mexico, both spouses are equally responsible for debt acquired during the marriage, regardless of which spouse actually incurred the debt. As noted above, since there is usually no discovery or mandatory disclosure of finances in an uncontested divorce, it is important for both spouses to know the size of their debts both collectively and individually.

While uncontested divorce may seem attractive and less costly, it is often not the right choice. Some may wish to just get it over with which is certainly understandable in light of the stress of divorce. However, rushing through the process often leads to far more stress and costs in the future. Contested does not mean conflict. It may simply mean thoughtful and careful. Once it is done, it is very difficult to undo. Consulting an experienced divorce attorney before the process begins, even for an uncontested divorce, may cause avoid complications and costs in the long run.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

For many facing economic hardship, bankruptcy may seem like an attractive option. Filing for bankruptcy often results in the elimination, or discharge, of a large variety of debts and often represents a second chance for those mired in overdue bills. However, some debts, including alimony and child support, are not discharged in bankruptcy.

Some people find themselves faced with the possibility of bankruptcy as a result of tough decisions and money management choices. Others find themselves in insurmountable debt due to forces beyond their control, like a serious illness, unexpected accident, job loss, or some other crisis. Bankruptcy laws and procedures try to balance the need of debtors for a new beginning with the interests of creditors in recovering their money.

Divorce can often lead to bankruptcy as a person finds him or herself unable to pay their debts or support two households on a single salary. Other spouses may try to avoid alimony and child support obligations by filing for bankruptcy. However, for important policy reasons, filing for bankruptcy will not discharge most domestic support obligations, including alimony.

There are two main types of bankruptcy relevant to this discussion, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, debts are discharged; under Chapter 13, debts are only discharged after the debtor has paid a portion of what is owed. When a court orders a discharge, the debt is eliminated and creditors have no legal right to collect against the former debtor. However, neither Chapter 7 nor 13 discharge all debts.

The Federal Bankruptcy Code 11 USC § 523 exempts the discharge of "domestic support obligations" as well as debts owed to a former spouse or child acquired as the result of a court-ordered separation agreement or divorce decree. Moreover, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA), effective October 2005, gives domestic support obligations priority over other creditors, including tax debts. Domestic support obligations under BAPCPA include property distribution, alimony, child support, and other court-ordered debt incurred as a result of a divorce and separation. Domestic support obligations are automatically exempted from discharge in bankruptcy.

There are a few requirements for discharge to be exempted from bankruptcy proceedings: (1) the obligation had to have arisen out of a separation agreement, divorce decree or other order by a court, (2) the obligation must be in the nature of support, maintenance or alimony, and (3) if the obligation is to a third party, it must have the effect of supporting the former spouse. This includes paying a mortgage, child education, child medical expenses, and life insurance premiums where the child is a beneficiary.

There are a few differences in the possibility to discharge domestic support obligations between Chapter 7 "liquidation" and Chapter 13 "reorganization" bankruptcy. Under Chapter 7, virtually all obligations assigned under a separation agreement or divorce decree are not dischargeable. This is true whether the obligations take the form of support, property division, or other agreements. Under Chapter 13, a former spouse may not discharge past due support obligations and must pay these obligations in full during the duration of the Chapter 13 plan. The only obligations that may be discharged under Chapter 13 are those deemed not to be in the nature of support. Since most alimony and child support obligations are generally indeed in the nature of support, it is difficult to discharge any of these debts under Chapter 13.

Even though bankruptcy may make financial sense for other reasons, it is very difficult to use bankruptcy to discharge alimony and child support obligations. If a former or soon-to-be former spouse is planning on filing for bankruptcy, it is important to contact an experienced family attorney who will be able to guide you through the process of obtaining relief from a bankruptcy court.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

Today it seems like many people live their lives on their smart phones and through social networks. Many could not imagine a day without texting on their cell phone or updating their status on Facebook. However, for an individual facing divorce or child custody dispute, when not managed properly a digital trail can be a serious liability.

What many do not realize is that activity on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace can often be used as evidence in many family law proceedings, including a divorce or child custody proceeding. Increasingly, people have found their posts, status updates, pictures, and comments used to contradict their statements in court and as evidence of poor judgment, drug and alcohol use, and spending habits. A survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) found that 81% of attorneys saw an increase in cases last year using evidence obtained from social networks, with Facebook being the most widely cited.

Beyond social network activity, phone messages can be used in similar ways. Texting and other activity on smart phones leaves a digital trail that can be used in a custody, child support and divorce proceeding. For people who constantly communicate via text, their text messages can provide a written record of what they were doing, thinking, and planning at any given moment. Another survey by AAML found that 92% of attorneys saw a rise in the use of evidence taken from a smart phones and 94% saw a rise in the use of text messages as evidence.

Spying and snooping can also pose a significant risk. For a divorcing spouse, nothing can be more tempting than taking a peek at their ex's email account or web history. However, even if it is a shared computer, snooping can have very serious consequences. In New Mexico, privacy laws prevent an individual from reading, copying, or intercepting communications by telegraph or telephone meant for another without the consent of the sender. 3-12-1(C) NMSA 1978. Like many states, the New Mexico law does not specifically cover email, but there are signs that the law is likely to catch up soon. Even though the issue is still being debated, a man in Michigan is currently facing felony charges for accessing his wife's Gmail account during a divorce.

Joining a dating site while in the process of obtaining a divorce may also be counterproductive. Most divorce attorneys discourage dating in general before a divorce is finalized. Apart from the added stress that bringing another person into the relationship entails, dating before a divorce is final could have detrimental effect on an individual's case, affecting issues of property division, spousal support, child custody, and child visitation.

Even though retail therapy may seem like a harmless way to relax in a stressful period, many divorce attorneys also advise against it. Sometimes spouses go on shopping binges with marital assets to get revenge on their exes. This tactic, however, often backfires, increases debt, and adds stress to an already stressful situation. A spouse's overspending can sometimes be used by the opposing spouse as evidence of mismanagement of marital funds and can be harmful in disputes over support and child custody.

Divorces and custody disputes can create an extremely contentious situation, where private matters are brought forward and scrutinized. It is more important than ever to realize that in a connected age, people leave an increasingly detailed digital trail which may end up in front of a judge.

These are all issues that you should be discussed with an experienced divorce and family law attorney early on in a divorce or custody proceeding. It is far easier for your attorney to address these issues in a proactive manner than to learn about them from the other side at what will likely be very inopportune times.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

A divorce or legal separation will always be difficult emotionally, however, it can be just as hard, if not worse, financially. Often it is not until the parties begin exchanging income information as part of their divorce action that they realize just how dire their financial situation is. Given that New Mexico is a community property state, each spouse is equally responsible for the debts incurred during a marriage. If those debts are substantial, the divorcing parties may want to consider filing bankruptcy.

Anyone considering bankruptcy should consult an attorney that specializes in bankruptcy to determine whether or not it is in their best interests, or if they even qualify to file. This is especially true when parties are divorcing because the parties need to decide whether or not they want to file a joint bankruptcy before the divorce or pursue other options. For example, the bankruptcy code prohibits individuals with incomes above a certain, state-specific threshold from filing bankruptcy and it limits what assets are exempt, or can be kept by the parties after filing. The intersection between federal bankruptcy laws and New Mexico's family law statutes and cases can be tricky to navigate, so parties should be cautious when going down that road.

If parties decide not to file a joint bankruptcy and proceed with their divorce, it is essential that the divorce settlement documents include language that addresses what will happen if one or both spouses decide to file bankruptcy after the divorce.

Spousal support, or alimony, and child support obligations are not dischargeable in bankruptcy, which means that the spouse who owes that money cannot get out of paying it by filing bankruptcy.

However, obligations to pay debts may be dischargeable depending on whether the spouse files a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This becomes problematic if one spouse agrees to assume a community debt as part of a divorce, but then later discharges that debt. If that debt is community, or in both parties' names, then a lender may seek to collect the debt from the other spouse. Therefore, divorce settlement documents should include language that clearly identifies the parties' intentions when dividing debt. For example, if one party is taking a debt instead of paying spousal or child support, then language should clarify that the debt is in the nature of support to prevent dischargeability.

Of course, no one can predict what exactly will happen after a divorce. Sometimes a spouse has every intention of paying the debts they assume in the divorce, but then they lose a job or suffer some other setback that prevents them from doing so. The best the parties can do is consult with experienced family law and bankruptcy counsel in order to make educated decisions about property and debt division and to properly memorialize those decisions in the final divorce documents.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

Most parents want to support their children and provide as much as possible for them. In fact, New Mexico law imposes a duty on both parents to do just that. However, the negative feelings and financial damage caused by a divorce or child custody battle make the issue of child support pretty tricky. Here are some tips to help:

• Pay on Time. This can be hard to do when money is tight, but the parent receiving child support is often counting on the support payment to pay rent or other expenses for the children. Paying on time not only benefits the children by making sure that they have food and a roof over their heads, but it helps prevent additional conflict between parents. Moreover, there are few things that escalate conflict in child custody cases more than financial stress. And this leads to court hearings. And hearings lead to all manner of burdens and expenses. The burdens of attorney fees, court costs, potential sanctions and even jail time for failure to pay on time will far outweigh the temporary relief of putting off a child support payment.

• Pay by Check. It is essential that child support payments are made using a traceable method of payment so that the paying party always gets credit for the payments made. It happens so frequently that it is almost to be expected that any undocumented payments will be disputed by the receiving parent. Parents often believe that a money order is traceable because it is not cash, but that trace is often difficult, if not, impossible, depending on where the money order is purchased. If a parent must pay in cash or with a money order, he or she should make sure they get a receipt signed by both parties that acknowledges the amount of the payment received and the date of receipt.

• Consider Wage Withholding. A wage withholding order instructs a parent's employer to deduct the child support payment from the parent's paycheck and send it directly to the parent receiving support, or sometimes to a state agency like the child support enforcement division. Parents often resist the entry of a wage withholding order, but it can be very helpful to both parents because it ensures that the support payment is made on time. Just as important, it creates an indisputable record of all child support payments. The orders can also be structured to spread the payment over the month by taking part from each paycheck, which can help the paying parent budget appropriately.

• Exchange Income Information. The child support statute allows either parent to request updated income information from the other one time each year in order to determine whether or not child support should be modified. Parents can exercise that right each year by making the information request in writing after April so that the other parent should have current tax information available.

• File for Modification. Child support can be modified any time there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances, which can include a major change in timesharing, the emancipation of a child, and/or a large increase or decrease in income for either parent. However, that change is only effective once a new court order is entered, which means that a parent seeking a modification needs to file a motion asking the Court to modify child support as soon as a change has taken place. Unilateral changes to child support without a court order can lead to very serious consequences no matter the basis for the change.

Child support and child custody issues can be quite stressful for all concerned. There is enormous potential for high levels of conflict. With rising levels of conflict comes attorney fees which may in fact be dwarfed by the costs associated with the appointment counselors, court appointed experts, guardian ad litems, and other professionals associated with the conflict. Avoid this conflict if possible by paying in full on time and in verifiable manner. If you are financially unable to do so, then go to court immediately to address the hardship with the court.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

As any parent knows, raising children can be a very expensive endeavor, which is why all states have laws governing child support for children when parents are divorced, separated or were never married.

In New Mexico, both parents have a duty to support their children and that support is calculated using the New Mexico Child Support Guidelines, which are based on the gross incomes of both parents. The first step in any child support action is gathering income information for both parents and calculating support based on the Guidelines. After the child support has been calculated, the court may enter an order that instructs one parent to pay the other a certain amount of child support every month. Then comes the hard part which is making sure that the support gets paid.

Enforcement of a child support order can be hard on both parents. Given the tough economic times facing many New Mexicans, the parent receiving child support may depend on the monthly check to make ends meet. Receiving a child support payment even a day or two late can cause serious problems, like a bounced rent check or car payment.

In turn, the parent paying support may also be living paycheck to paycheck and may have trouble paying support in addition to his or her monthly bills. However, failure to pay the monthly support obligation can cause a variety of problems for the non-paying parent including suspension of his or her driver's license, seizure of bank and financial accounts, a finding of contempt (and possible jail time and fines), issues with employment to name just a few.

One solution to the problem of getting child support paid on time is through the entry of a wage withholding order. A wage withholding order is similar to a garnishment, in that it is a court order instructing a parent's employer to withhold the monthly child support from a parent's paycheck and send it directly to the parent entitled to receive support. Or, in some cases, the employer sends the child support payment to the Child Support Enforcement Division ("CSED") and then CSED sends it to the other parent.

Both parents can benefit substantially from entry of a wage withholding order. As a preliminary matter, such an order ensures that the support gets paid in a regular, timely fashion, which means that the parent receiving the support can count on getting the support at the same time every month and can plan to pay bills accordingly. It can also help the paying parent meet their obligation because they aren't tempted to pay other bills before paying their child support, after all you can't spend what you don't have. Another substantial benefit to the paying parent is that there is a clear record of what payments were made, so the receiving parent can't claim that they didn't receive a payment, which to the chagrin of many child support paying parents happens with great regularity.

There are limits wage withholding. Most orders provide that an employer cannot withhold more than 50% of the paying parent's income. So, if the paying parent isn't making enough money to cover the monthly obligation, then the receiving parent may be stuck trying to collect the additional support. Also, wage withholding orders typically provide that the total monthly support obligation is divided over pay periods, which can be good for the paying parent but may not be good for the receiving parent who wants the whole monthly obligation all at once.

Child support will be an issue in every divorce involving children or paternity action filed in New Mexico. Having an experienced family law attorney can help both the paying parent and the receiving parent navigate the complicated world of child support, including collection of support after a judgment is entered.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

It is not often that the United States Supreme Court hears a family law case, so the Court's June, 2011, ruling in Turner v. Rogers has made a big impact and that impact can definitely be felt by family law practitioners in New Mexico.

The Turner case involved a father in South Carolina who was held in contempt and jailed for failure to pay child support. The opinion includes a long discussion of the right to counsel and what procedural safeguards are necessary to prevent an unconstitutional deprivation of liberty when parties to a civil proceeding face incarceration. The initial holding is that parties to a civil proceeding, even when that civil proceeding can result in jail time, do not have right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment.

However, the Court went on to hold that a contempt proceeding for failure to pay child support must provide some protection of the delinquent parent's due process rights. The safeguards include: 1) notice to the delinquent parent that his or her ability to pay is critical issue in the contempt proceeding; 2) the use of a form or some standardized procedure to gather the delinquent party's financial information; 3) a hearing at which the delinquent parent is allowed to present evidence as to his or her financial status; and 4) a specific finding by the court that the delinquent parent has the ability to pay.

Given this new ruling, the judges in the Second Judicial District for Bernalillo County, New Mexico, which encompasses much of the Albuquerque area, have recognized that the ability to pay is the key issue in contempt proceedings for failure to pay child support. Thus, they are now requiring attorneys who file motions for orders to show cause (which include a request that the responding party be held in contempt) to provide a responding party with a form designed to elicit their financial information.

In addition, the Court has will also ensure that a hearing will be held on all such contempt motions at which the allegedly delinquent parent be allowed to give statements and answer questions about his or her financial situation. And, finally, they are requiring an express finding that an allegedly delinquent parent has the ability to pay the support ordered before holding him or her in contempt.

Now, as is often true, the Turner case may create more questions than it answers. For instance, it specifically does not apply to cases wherein the state may be owed money because it has been making welfare or TANF payments on behalf of a child not being supported by the delinquent parent. This leads to the question of how the Turner ruling will affect cases when the Child Support Enforcement Division is involved and whether, ultimately, there may be additional procedural safeguards in those situations. For now, it suffices to say that Turner has changed the way courts around the country, including New Mexico, address the payment of child support.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

With respect to child support, the rule in New Mexico is that both parents have a duty to support their children. The amount of the monthly child support is determined by the New Mexico Child Support Guidelines, which are meant to be uniformly enforced across the state, so the support should be the same whether you live in Albuquerque or Las Cruces. The amount of support is also the same whether it is awarded as part of a divorce or a paternity action and continues until a child turns eighteen, or until the age of nineteen if the child is still in high school. Unfortunately, given the current state of the economy, many parents are finding themselves unable to pay their court-ordered child support.

While the Courts understand that many parents have lost jobs during the past few years, the New Mexico Courts take parents' responsibility to support their children very seriously. This means that even if a parent has a reason for not paying child support, there can be severe punishment when they don't. If the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) is involved in a case, they have the ability to revoke a parent's driver's license or professional license if that parent doesn't pay support. CSED can also prevent a delinquent parent from getting a passport and can freeze their bank accounts and garnish their wages. In addition to the punishment delivered by CSED, the Courts can also hold a parent in contempt of court for failing to pay child support. Being found in contempt can be result in jail time and/or monetary sanctions. However, a recent United States Supreme Court case added some requirements to the contempt process that provides some relief for parents who are unable to pay support.

In Turner v. Rogers, a father was held in contempt for failure to pay close to six thousand dollars in court-ordered child support. After a hearing at which the father admitted that he hadn't paid the child support, he was held in contempt and sentenced to one year in jail. The Supreme Court held that parties generally can be held in contempt, and jailed, as part of a civil proceeding and that they are not entitled to counsel as part of such proceedings. However, that contempt proceeding must have other procedural safeguards in place that protect the delinquent parent's right to due process under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. One of the primary safeguards ordered by the Supreme Court was that a finding of contempt in the child support context requires an express finding that the delinquent parent has the ability to pay the child support. Thus, in a child support proceeding, a parent who is delinquent on his or her child support obligation cannot be held in contempt if that parent clearly establishes that they do not have the ability to pay the court-ordered support.

Of course, the ruling in Turner doesn't mean that parents will not be required to pay child support just because they show the Court that they don't have the ability to pay. The Courts will still have the power to impute income to unemployed, or under-employed, parents if the circumstances are right. And even if a parent is not held in contempt for failure to pay support, they will likely continue to accrue arrearages, or back support, that will need to be paid at some point. But the new ruling certainly provides additional protections for parents who are delinquent on child support obligations, especially those who are victims of the recent economic crises.

Though the Turner case provides some protection to delinquent parents, the consequences of non-payment of child support can still be quite harsh. The fact is that a delinquent parent can be held in contempt if the court finds the parent has the ability to pay and has not. Attending one of these hearing unprepared is highly inadvisable. Anyone faced with a child support delinquency, whether they owe support or the support is owed to them, should consult a family law attorney as soon as possible so that they can understand their rights and responsibilities under all of the applicable laws, including the ruling in Turner.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

There are many changes that result in the lives of individuals after divorce. One of the more obvious is the transition to a one-income household. The financial hardship that can occur may have some surprising consequences, particularly for the children involved.

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) defines poverty as the inability "to achieve the minimum decent standard of living" that permits a person to fully participate in mainstream society. Nationally, 42% of children in general live below the poverty level. In New Mexico, this figure is 52% according to the NCCP. These statistics include all children, regardless of whether or not they have been affected by divorce.

Yet, children of divorce have been specifically identified as a group more likely to live below the poverty level, according to a recent study released by the U.S. Census Bureau. In New Mexico, 53% of children living in poverty reside with just one parent.

Data shows that women head up most one parent homes. Further statistics reveal that women generally have less income earning potential. One possibility for this may be that prior to divorce, many women focus on raising children, rather than on developing job skills or furthering their education. Many times, divorced mothers just do not have the work experience or credentials needed to get good paying jobs.

Additionally, the continued care of children may prevent a divorced mother from accepting certain jobs. Jobs that require flexibility and travel are just not a possibility for women who have the sole responsibility of raising and supervising children. If child care is necessary, the expense can drain money away from other household necessities.

And, a divorced woman's support network may not be what it once was, as ties to in-laws or other family members and friends may have become strained due to the divorce. This can result in social isolation that keeps divorced mothers from being able to share burdens and responsibilities with others.

Not only are a child's basic material needs potentially compromised after divorce, but studies show that poverty can delay cognitive development and hamper a child's ability to learn. Worry over having one's basic needs met may impact the ability to focus and concentrate. Further, poverty can lead to emotional, behavioral and social problems among children of divorce.

Though the economic realities of divorce cannot be completely averted, there are ways to minimize the financial risks and strains of divorce. In addition to the terms of the divorce, marital settlement agreement and parenting plan which should be designed to insure the financial well-being of the children, there are also state resources available for high risk families and children.

If you are considering divorce, an experienced family law attorney can help to navigate the divorce process as well as the state programs available to avoid falling into a the downward spiral that poverty often brings with it, both for the parents and the children. In the event that you cannot afford an attorney which is very likely the case in these situations, there are a number of programs that provide free legal advice to low income, high risk families facing divorce.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

Parties to a divorce or family law proceeding often will try to tie child support to child custody and/or time-sharing. Parties will often use child support offensively to try to gain some advantage in the child custody or time-sharing.

In New Mexico, child support and time-sharing are determined based on independent factors. Custody and time-sharing are determined based on the best interest of the child. In turn, child support is determined by the parents' gross income, along with the cost of work-related child care and health insurance coverage for the child. Child support is affected by whether there is joint custody and where the non-custodial parent has more than 30% time-sharing. Other than that, the two are largely independent.

The issue comes up in a variety of situations. Among the most common is the parent that feels that because he or she does not have custody or the level of time-sharing that they desire that they should be relieved of child support. This is wishful thinking. In fact, even if there is no contact with the child at all whether by order of the court, denial of contact by the other parent or simple disinterest on the part of the non-custodial parent, child support is still owed in its entirely as calculated under the New Mexico Child Support guidelines.

Just as common is the situation where the parent entitled to child support will try to cut off contact with the parent for shortages or delinquencies in child support payments. This is also not allowed. A parent will not be denied time-sharing with the child for failure to pay support. On the other hand, there are numerous other unpleasant and costly consequences associated with the failure to pay support. The worst case is a finding of contempt for willful non-payment of child support which can lead to arrest and de facto denial of contact with the child, at least for the period of incarceration.

The less common, and perhaps the most surprising to the unsuspecting father, is the case where the father does not learn of the child until years after birth, sometimes many years. Though it does not occur often and depending on the age of the child, these fathers can be held responsible for child support back to the date of birth of the child despite the fact that the father was unaware of the child's existence and has gone on to build a family of his own. This can have financially devastating consequences, not to mention the emotional toll on the new family. However, the State of New Mexico's position is that the parents should pay for the support and maintenance of their children whatever the circumstances. Otherwise, as often happens, the costs falls upon the State.

In short, child support and child custody/time-sharing are essentially independent inquiries. One should not be used to manipulate the other. Nor can a parent avoid financial responsibility through non-contact with the child, even when the lack of contact is no fault of his or her own. If you are faced with a situation like this, chances are you have a bit of mess on your hands. These things can be quite complicated and difficult to straighten out. It would be wise to seek the guidance of an experienced divorce and family law attorney.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

Amid all of the emotional and financial trauma that can be caused by a divorce or child custody battle, parties often forget that they are part of a court proceeding. Even though family law matters are civil, not criminal, failure to abide by the court's order can still get the non-compliant party in big trouble. In New Mexico, violation of family court order can result in a finding of civil contempt, which can result in punishment by fine and/or jail time.

Now, many people think that any time they face a punishment that involves jail time they are automatically entitled to counsel under the 6th Amendment and that if they can't afford an attorney one will be appointed for them. However, the United States Supreme Court recently ruled that parties to a civil contempt proceeding are not entitled to free counsel under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

In Turner v. Rogers, a South Carolina man, Mr. Turner, owed the mother of his child, Ms. Rogers, nearly six thousand dollars in court-ordered child support. After a hearing at which Mr. Turner did not have counsel and at which he admitted that he hadn't paid the child support, the South Carolina court held Mr. Turner in contempt and sentenced him to one year in jail.

During his appeals, which eventually led to the Supreme Court, Mr. Turner argued that his Sixth Amendment right to counsel was violated when he was jailed after being held in contempt for his failure to abide by the court's child support because he was not provided with free counsel.

The Supreme Court disagreed and held that the Sixth Amendment right to counsel only applies to criminal proceedings, even if a civil proceeding (like the one Mr. Turner faced and that parties to a New Mexico family law case could also face) could lead to jail time.

However, the Supreme Court also noted that the under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, civil courts cannot impose a punishment of civil contempt when a party has clearly established that he or she cannot comply with the court's order. This means that parties facing a civil contempt action must be provided adequate notice that the finding of contempt could result in incarceration and must be provided a fair opportunity to present and dispute evidence about his or her ability to comply with the court's order.

The Turner ruling clearly provides that a party facing a contempt charge for failure to pay child support, must be given the opportunity for a hearing before they are held in contempt. However, parties can be held in contempt for violating any family court order, not just child support orders. And anybody facing possible jail time for civil contempt will be fully responsible for obtaining his or her own attorney. None will be appointed by the State.

Thus, anyone involved in a divorce, custody or child support proceeding would be wise to seek the guidance of an experienced divorce attorney. The possible consequences for a finding of contempt are too serious to go it alone unless this is absolutely the only option.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

The current New Mexico law governing child support as set forth in the New Mexico Child Support Guidelines provides that child support terminates once a child turns eighteen (18) or once the child is nineteen (19) if the child is still in high school. However, given the increasing importance of higher education in this country, many researchers across the country believe that parents should be ordered to pay child support for their children while they are in college.

The 2011 New Mexico legislature listened to those opinions and passed House Memorial 71, sponsored by Speaker Ben Lujan, which requires the New Mexico State Bar to form a task force to investigate how consideration and planning for children's post-secondary education should be incorporated into the existing law regarding child support.

The task force will be chaired by a family court judge and will consist of lawyers that practice in the area of divorce and family law as well as other professionals that work in related fields. The task force is required to report back to the legislature with an interim report by November, 2011, and a final report by November, 2012.

Any law changing the child support guidelines to require parents to pay for their children's post-secondary educations will have a major, long-term effect on divorce and paternity actions across this State. How any such an obligation would be implemented leads to a variety of questions.

For instance, will the support continue no matter where the child goes to school? Do parents have to agree on where the child goes to school? Will parents have to pay the entire cost of tuition, etc.? How will child support be calculated? Will children be required to work while in college? What is the obligation of the child to attend class and maintain performance? What grounds might there be for terminating college support?

There are certainly many other questions that will come up depending on the law's language and the circumstances of a particular case. While this discussion is clearly in the earliest stages, it is important for both lawyers and parents to pay attention to any reports issued by the task force. Any law that places further obligations on parents and families such as this should be viewed with great scrutiny. Parents and voters would do well to voice their opinions on this issue with their respective legislators.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

In 2007, the U.S. began experiencing what is now called, the Great Recession. One surprising fact found during this period of economic hardship involved the steady decline of the divorce rate. In fact by 2008, this rate had dipped to its lowest level in 30 years in over 44 states.

Data collected by the National Marriage Project, based out of the University of Virginia supported these findings, actually finding that the stability of marriages was positively affected by the recession. Foreclosures, lay-offs and investment losses may be evidence that married couples pull together during such events. Yet, this stability and sense of togetherness may be short-lived.

Typically, financial conflict has been a top predictor of marital breakdowns. Yet, one of the statistics highlighted by the National Marriage Project involved the claim that many couples either put aside or postponed seeking a divorce during the recession. One major factor could involve the housing market collapse, as many divorcing couples cannot cash in on home equity when real estate prices have plummeted. Finally, in some housing markets it is near impossible to sell a home and even more difficult to get financing on another. Most families simply cannot take on the costs associated with running separate households.

There are many other issues as well that make divorce quite difficult in times of financial stress. Health insurance is a major issue. A divorce will often leave one party with no insurance which today can be quite disastrous. A division of property and debt is made more difficult in these financial times. The community debt in particular can be extremely problematic forcing one or both parties into bankruptcy. Then there is child support and alimony which for the paying party can simply put them over the financial edge. So while financial stress pulls couples apart, these same stressors actually bind them together for better and for worse.

The research appears to hold true. As the effects of the recession began to ease in 2010, statistics revealed an increase in divorce rates. This trend may be due to less financial uncertainty. Rebounds in employment rates and investment portfolios may alleviate the fears of those who want to go it alone. Others may find more creative ways to separate, continuing to share community property until the housing market bounces back.

Divorce can be a complex issue, particularly in today's unpredictable economy. Divorce has always been a highly stressful and uncertain time for couples. The recession has magnified the issues and often the complexities of a divorce. If you are considering divorce and the implications this may have on your financial future, it is important to consult an experienced divorce attorney. You can then better consider your options, having some certainty in uncertain times.

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys

In New Mexico, parents are held financially responsible for providing for the care of their children's needs. As such, the issue of child support is governed by mandatory state guidelines under the New Mexico Child Support Guidelines These guidelines include a formula based on a number of factors that help ensure children involved in either paternity or divorce proceedings receive the proper financial support.

Each parent is required to report their gross monthly income using a child support worksheet that can be found in the family law section of New Mexico Courts website. This worksheet is generally non-negotiable and most judges will not issue an Order Adjudicating Parentage/Order Establishing Paternity or Final Decree of Divorce without it.

After reporting gross income, credits are given to each parent for certain allowable expenses. Allowable expenses are restricted in nature, typically only covering childcare expenses and healthcare premiums, including medical, dental and vision care. In order for childcare to be considered allowable, the expense must be incurred during time that a parent is either working or is out looking for a job.

Extraordinary expenses related to mental or physical health care that are over $100 and uninsured are also allowed. This would involve things like counseling sessions or orthodontics. These types of expenses would be converted to monthly figures or handled outside the worksheet in the Parenting Plan or other Court Order.

The New Mexico Child Support Guidelines also provide credits for extraordinary educational expenses, as well as communication and transportation costs related to long distance time sharing or visitation. However, these items are typically addressed in a parenting plan, not the child support worksheet.

Likewise, additional expenses, which are not the same as allowable expenses, are not directly considered on the worksheet, nor are they defined by statute. However, these too may be addressed in a Parenting Plan or other Order outside the child support worksheet.

Keep in mind, the child custody and/or time-sharing arrangement will determine which New Mexico Child Support Worksheet to use. Worksheet A is used when one party has primary custody. Worksheet B is used when there is shared custody.

Once the parties determine the appropriate worksheet to use, all allowable expenses are entered into the worksheet along with gross income figures for both parties, and when appropriate time-sharing ratios. From these statutory entries of income, expense and time-sharing, the monthly child support figure will be determined. Unless there is a very good reason to deviate which there seldom is, this is the child support!

Collins & Collins, P.C.
Albuquerque Attorneys