New Mexico Forms Library

4A-511. Order appointing kinship guardian(s).

STATE OF NEW MEXICO

COUNTY OF ______________________

________________ JUDICIAL DISTRICT

______________________________, Petitioner(s)

No. _________

IN THE MATTER OF THE KINSHIP GUARDIANSHIP OF

____________________________,¹ (a) Child(ren) (use initials only), and concerning

____________________________, Respondent(s).

ORDER APPOINTING

KINSHIP GUARDIAN(S)

THIS MATTER came before the court on _________ (insert date) regarding the Petition to Appoint Kinship Guardian(s) for the minor child(ren). Petitioner(s) ________________________________ (name(s) of Petitioner(s)) appeared pro se. Respondent 1, __________________ (name of Respondent 1), [ ] appeared pro se [ ] did not appear. Respondent 2, __________________ (name of Respondent 2), [ ] appeared pro se [ ] did not appear. The court having reviewed the petition, heard testimony, and being sufficiently advised, FINDS:

1.   The court has jurisdiction under the Kinship Guardianship Act, Sections 40-10B-1 to -15 NMSA 1978.

2.   All necessary parties have been given adequate notice of the proceedings.

3.   The name and age of the minor child(ren) are as follows:

Child’s name	Birth year	Age
___________________________	________	______
___________________________	________	______
___________________________	________	______

4.   Petitioner(s) is/are the minor child(ren)’s ____________________ (relationship) and is/are proper person(s) to be kinship guardian(s) under the Kinship Guardianship Act.

5.   (Select all that apply)

[ ]   Respondent 1 is the minor child(ren)’s legal parent and

[ ]         consents to the appointment of Petitioner(s) as the guardian(s);

or

[ ]         the minor child(ren) has/have resided with Petitioner(s) for at least ninety (90) days prior to filing the petition to appoint kinship guardian(s), and Respondent 1 was not residing in the home during that time;

OR

[ ]   There are extraordinary circumstances in this matter as follows, which include that Respondent 1 is unable or unwilling to provide appropriate care, maintenance, and supervision for the minor child(ren)²: ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________.

[ ]   Respondent 2 is the minor child(ren)’s legal parent and

[ ]         consents to the appointment of Petitioner(s) as the guardian(s);

or

[ ]         the minor child(ren) has/have resided with Petitioner(s) for at least ninety (90) days prior to filing the petition to appoint kinship guardian(s), and Respondent 2 was not residing in the home during that time;

OR

[ ]   There are extraordinary circumstances in this matter as follows, which include that Respondent 2 is unable or unwilling to provide appropriate care, maintenance, and supervision for the minor child(ren):

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________.

6.   Petitioner(s) is/are providing appropriate care, maintenance, and supervision for the minor child(ren).

7.   The Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. §§ 1901-1963,

[ ]         does not apply to this matter or

[ ]         does apply to this matter.

8.   The requirements of Section 40-10B-8(B) NMSA 1978 have been proven by clear and convincing evidence.

9.   It is in the minor child(ren)’s best interests that Petitioner(s) be appointed as the minor child(ren)’s kinship guardian(s).

10. Other: ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

WHEREFORE IT IS ORDERED:

1.   Petitioner(s) is/are appointed as the kinship guardian(s) of the minor child(ren).

2.   The appointment of kinship guardianship shall remain in effect until the minor child(ren) reach(es) the age of eighteen (18) or until further order of the court, whichever comes first.

3.   Under Section 40-10B-13(A) NMSA 1978, Petitioner(s) has/have the legal rights and duties of a parent except the right to consent to the adoption of the minor child(ren).

4.   Respondents’ parental rights pertaining to the minor child(ren) are hereby suspended until further order of the court.

5.   Visitation shall be as follows:

[ ]         Under the Kinship Guardianship Act, Section 40-10B-13(B) NMSA, visitation between the legal parents and the minor child(ren), or any other persons shall be at the discretion of the guardian(s);

or

[ ]         Visitation shall be as follows: ___________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________.

6.   Child support shall be as follows:

[ ]         No child support is ordered because Petitioner(s) waive a request for child support at this time, but reserve his/her/their right to request child support at a later time;

or

[ ]         Child support is ordered as follows: ______________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

7.   This order allows the kinship guardian to apply for State programs and assistance on behalf of the minor child(ren) without reference to the kinship guardian(s)’s income.

8.   Other: ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________

District Court Judge

 

_______________________________

Signature of Petitioner 1

_______________________________

Printed name

_______________________________

Address

_______________________________

Telephone number and email address

 

_______________________________

Signature of Petitioner 2

_______________________________

Printed name

_______________________________

Address

_______________________________

Telephone number and email address

 

_______________________________

Signature of Respondent 1

_______________________________

Printed name

_______________________________

Address

_______________________________

Telephone number and email address

 

_______________________________

Signature of Respondent 2

_______________________________

Printed name

_______________________________

Address

_______________________________

Telephone number and email address

USE NOTES

1.   Insert the initials of each child listed in the Petition to Appoint Kinship Guardian(s).

[Provisionally approved, effective August 15, 2003 until August 31, 2004; approved, effective January 20, 2005; 4-988 recompiled and amended as 4A-511 by Supreme Court Order No. 16-8300-020, effective for all pleadings and papers filed on or after December 31, 2016; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. 22-8300-020, effective for all pleadings and papers filed on or after December 31, 2022.]