New Mexico · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in New Mexico: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for New Mexico, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in New Mexico

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$10,000
Court
Magistrate Court
Filing fee
$77
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in New Mexico

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
30 days
Security deposit limit
1 month's rent (with exceptions)
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
3 days
Notice before the landlord enters
24 hours

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in New Mexico

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
Minimum wage (2026)
$12.00
Final paycheck if fired
Within 5 days
Deadline to file a wage claim
3 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in New Mexico

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
12 months
What makes it a lemon
4 repairs · 30 business days
Covers used cars
Yes
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in New Mexico

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
30 days after notice (county assessor)
Where you appeal first
County Valuation Protests Board protest
Median effective tax rate
0.70%
Median yearly tax on a home
$1,731

Closed for 2026Closed. 2026 protest deadlines passed in spring (30 days after each county mailed notices; May 1, 2026 in Bernalillo County). The next window opens when 2027 notices of value go out, by about April 1, 2027. If you did not protest, you can still pay your 2026 taxes and file a claim for refund in district court, generally by early January 2027 (Bernalillo says January 10). (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in New Mexico

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
$2,000
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
See the rules

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in New Mexico

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
New Mexico Unclaimed Property
Held by the state
About $390 million (November 2025)
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in New Mexico

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
6 months
Waiting period
No statutory wait found
Filing fee
Check with your court

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in New Mexico

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in New Mexico
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement4 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage4 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit30 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent3 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim3 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedWithin 5 daysWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period12 monthsLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineFile suit within 18 months after original delivery, or within 90 days after the final decision of a manufacturer's dispute program if you used one, whichever is later (N.M. Stat. Ann. § 57-16A-8).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appeal30 days after notice (county assessor)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file6 monthsDivorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting periodNo statutory wait foundDivorce Law Map

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Other problems: free official help

RobinClaim doesn't cover debt collectors, scams, custody and child support, and other areas yet. These official and nonprofit services can help in every state:

Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.

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