Rule text
[For use with Rules 1-065.1, 2-801, and 3-801 NMRA]
STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF ______________________ [IN THE [DISTRICT] [MAGISTRATE] [METROPOLITAN] COURT] [____________________ JUDICIAL DISTRICT]
__________________________________, Plaintiff
v. No. ______________
__________________________________, Defendant
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CLAIM EXEMPTIONS FROM EXECUTION
1. THE JUDGMENT CREDITOR (IS SEIZING) (HAS A RIGHT TO SEIZE)1 YOUR PROPERTY
A ruling has been made in this case that you owe money to the judgment creditor. The judgment creditor may collect that money from seizure and sale of your property. (Before the judgment creditor has the sheriff seize your property, you may have a right to claim exemptions of certain property.)
2. PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE:
This notice is to tell you that some kinds of property or money may NOT be taken from you even after the court has ruled that you owe the judgment creditor money. This property is protected under state law. The property which may not be taken is called "exempt property."
YOU MUST FILE A CLAIM OF EXEMPTION FORM TO CLAIM ANY EXEMPT PROPERTY. YOU MAY WISH TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE COMPLETING AND FILING THE CLAIM OF EXEMPTION FORM.
Here is a list of some exempt money and property. Other kinds of money or property not listed may also be exempt. 3. PARTIAL LIST OF EXEMPTIONS FROM EXECUTION.
Part I. Homestead exemption.
(This exemption may only be used in the district court.)
A judgment debtor who owns, leases, or is purchasing a dwelling occupied by the judgment debtor is entitled to hold as exempt property a homestead in the amount of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) under NMSA 1978, Section 42-10-9.
Part II. Exemption in lieu of homestead exemption.
(Parts II and III are for use in the district court, magistrate court, and metropolitan court.)
Residents of this state who do not claim a homestead exemption are entitled to an exemption of real or personal property in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) under NMSA 1978, Section 42-10-10. You may not claim this exemption if you claimed a homestead exemption above.
Part III. Personal property exemptions.
In addition to the property claimed as exempt above, judgment debtors are entitled to claim certain personal property exemptions. Most of those exemptions are listed below:
a. your aggregate interest in household goods and furnishings, not exceeding a value of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000);
b. your aggregate interest in motor vehicles, not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in value;
c. your interest in a wedding band and an engagement ring, and your interest in additional jewelry held primarily for your use, the use of your spouse, or any dependent of yours, with an aggregate value not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) for that additional jewelry;
d. your aggregate interest in, or the interest of any relative of yours, in any artwork, with an aggregate value not exceeding a value of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in the aggregate;
e. your aggregate interest in tools, equipment, implements, professional books, instruments, inventory, supplies, and materials reasonably necessary for use in your trade, profession, or occupation, or that of your spouse not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000); f. pension or retirement funds;
g. not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in benefits from a benevolent association of which the judgment debtor is a member;
h. veteran's benefits;
i. building materials not financed by the judgment creditor in this action as provided by NMSA 1978, Section 48-2-15;
j. worker's compensation benefits subject to the limitations of NMSA 1978, Section 52-1-52;
k. occupational health benefits as provided by NMSA 1978, Section 52-3-37;
l. unemployment compensation benefits subject to the limitations of NMSA 1978, Section 51-1-37 for necessities furnished while the debtor was unemployed and child support;
m. public benefits such as medicaid, medicare, food stamps, or other aid from a government public assistance program;
n. cash surrender values and benefits of life insurance contracts;
o. payment from life, accident, and health insurance policies or annuity contracts;
p. crime victims' reparation fund payments;
q. fraternal benefit society benefits;
r. the minimum amount of shares necessary for certain cooperative associations subject to the limitations provided by NMSA 1978, Section 53-4-28;
s. the debtor's membership interest in the property of a club or association under NMSA 1978, Section 53-10-2;
t. oil and gas equipment not financed by the judgment creditor to be used for purposes for which it was purchased as provided by NMSA 1978, Section 70-4-12;
u. allowances to surviving spouse and children from estate of a deceased estate subject to the limitations of NMSA 1978, Sections 45-2-401 and 45-2-402;
v. a health savings account that would qualify for tax exemptions under 26 U.S.C. Section 223 or any similar health savings account; w. an educational savings account that would qualify for tax exemptions under 26 U.S.C. Section 529 or any similar educational savings account;
x. an individual retirement account that would qualify for tax exemptions under 26 U.S.C. Section 408 or any similar individual retirement account;
y. alimony, family, or domestic support or separate maintenance to the extent reasonably necessary for the support of the person or any dependent of the person;
z. any refundable tax credit payments from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department;
aa. exempt wages as defined by NMSA 1978, Section 35-12-7;
ab. any stimulus payment held by or payable to the person or the person's dependents in any form;
ac. the aggregate of not more than two thousand four hundred dollars ($2,400) held in any bank account by or for your benefit;
ad. interests in personal property worth up to fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), tangible or intangible, not otherwise specified in this subsection, including any deposits in financial or investments accounts or personal property that exceeds the monetary limits set forth in this section.
You may not claim an exemption for personal property which is subject to a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code given to the judgment creditor.
Part IV. Exemption from Execution of Judgment for Medical Debt.
If the underlying judgment in this case was a cause of action to recover a judgment for medical debt under the Patients' Debt Collection Protection Act, NMSA 1978, Sections 57-32-1 to 57-32-10, Section 57-32-4(A) bars collection actions, including writs of execution, against patients who are indigent at the time the collection action is brought.
4. HOW TO PROTECT EXEMPT PROPERTY.
The sheriff may not seize your personal clothing, furniture, and books or any jewelry unless the total value of each category exceeds the values specified above or in state law. For other property, you must claim an exemption or it may be seized and sold. A claim of exemptions on execution form is attached for you to complete and file with the court.
YOU MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN THE ATTACHED CLAIM OF EXEMPTIONS ON EXECUTION FORM TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS AFTER SERVICE OF THIS NOTICE ON YOU. YOU MUST ALSO SERVE A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND SIGNED CLAIM OF EXEMPTIONS ON EXECUTION FORM ON THE JUDGMENT CREDITOR.
If the judgment creditor disputes a claimed exemption, the clerk or the judge will notify you of the date and time for a court hearing on your claim. You must go to that hearing and explain why your money or property is exempt. You must bring to the hearing any proof that your money or property is exempt.
If you do not complete and file the claim of exemptions on execution form within ten (10) days and attend the hearing, your property may be seized and sold by the sheriff.
FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND FILE A CLAIM OF EXEMPTIONS ON EXECUTION FORM WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS AND SERVE A COPY ON THE JUDGMENT CREDITOR WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF YOUR RIGHT TO CLAIM AN EXEMPTION.
(The following proof of service may be used ONLY if the judgment debtor has entered an appearance in the case.)
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE
I declare, under penalty of perjury, that this notice, a claim of exemptions on execution form and a copy of the judgment in the above cause of action were mailed on the _____ day of _________________, ______ from ______________________ (street address or post office branch) in _________________, New Mexico.
________________________________ Signature ________________________________ Date of signature
(If the judgment debtor has not entered an appearance, personal service of this notice must be made on the judgment debtor and the following Return of Service must be completed and filed with the court.)
RETURN
STATE OF NEW MEXICO ) ) ss COUNTY OF ___________ )
(check one box and fill in appropriate blanks) [] I, being duly sworn, on oath, say that I am over the age of eighteen (18) years and not a party to this lawsuit, and that I served the notice of right to claim exemptions (executions) and a claim of exemptions on execution form (in said county) (in ________________ County) on the _____ day of _____________________, _______, by delivering a copy thereof, with copy of the judgment attached, in the following manner:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
(check only if service by sheriff or deputy) [ ] I certify that I served the Notice of Right to Claims Exemptions (Execution) (in said county) (in ________________________ County) on the _____ day of ___________________, _______, by delivering a copy thereof, with copy of judgment attached in the following manner:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
(check one box and fill in appropriate blanks) [] to defendant ________________________
[] to ______________________, a person over fifteen (15) years of age and residing at the usual place of abode of defendant _____________________, who at the time of such service was absent therefrom. Abode located at ____________________.
[] by posting a copy of the Notice of Right to Claim Exemptions in the most public part of the premises of defendant ________________________ (used if no person found at dwelling house or usual place of abode). Abode located at _______________.
[] to ____________________, an agent authorized to receive service of process for defendant _____________________________.
[] to ____________________________________, (parent) (guardian) of defendant ______________ (used when defendant is a minor or an incompetent person).
[] after due diligence I was unable to serve this notice.
Fees: _____________________ ______________________________________ Signature of person making service ______________________________________ Title (if any)
Subscribed and sworn2 to before me this ______________ day of ______________, _____
__________________________ Judge, notary or other officer authorized to administer oaths
______________________________ Official title
USE NOTES
1. Strike out the inapplicable alternative.
2. If service is made by the sheriff or a deputy sheriff of a New Mexico county, the signature of the sheriff or deputy need not be notarized.
3. Use this form only for actions filed on or after July 1, 2023.
[As amended, effective January 1, 1993; May 1, 1994; January 1, 1996; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. 09-8300-030, effective October 12, 2009; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-RCR-2024-00107, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after December 31, 2024; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-RCR- 2025-00174, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after December 31, 2025.]
Notes
ANNOTATIONS
The 2025 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-RCR-2025-00174, effective December 31, 2025, added a provision exempting medical debt from execution of judgment; in Paragraph 3, added Part IV.
The 2024 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-RCR-2024-00107, effective December 31, 2024, raised the amount of the homestead exemption from sixty thousand dollars to one hundred fifty thousand dollars, raised the amount of the real or personal property exemption for those residents of this state who do not claim a homestead exemption from five thousand dollars to fifteen thousand dollars, listed additional items of personal property that may be claimed as exemptions and listed the amount that may be claimed for personal property exemptions, added additional information under the section regarding how to protect exempt property, and revised the Use Notes; in Paragraph 3, Part I, after "in the amount of", deleted "sixty thousand dollars ($60,000)" and added "one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000)"; in Part II, after "in the amount of", deleted "five thousand dollars ($5,000)" and added "fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000)", in Part III, Item a, deleted "personal property worth up to $500" and added "your aggregate interest in household goods and furnishings, not exceeding a value of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000)", in Item b, deleted "tools of the trade worth up to $1,500" and added "your aggregate interest in motor vehicles, not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in value", in Item c, deleted "a motor vehicle worth up to $4,000 or that amount of equity in a more valuable vehicle" and added "your interest in a wedding band and an engagement ring, and your interest in additional jewelry held primarily for your use, the use of your spouse, or any dependent of yours, with an aggregate value not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) for that additional jewelry", in Item d, deleted "jewelry worth up to $2,500" and added "your aggregate interest in, or the interest of any relative of yours, in any artwork, with an aggregate value not exceeding a value of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in the aggregate", in Item e, deleted "clothing, furniture, books and medical health equipment being used for the health of the claimant or a member of the household of the claimant and not in a profession" and added "your aggregate interest in tools, equipment, implements, professional books, instruments, inventory, supplies, and materials reasonably necessary for use in your trade, profession, or occupation, or that of your spouse not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000)", in Item g, after "not more than", deleted "$5,000" and added "fifty thousand dollars ($50,000)", in Item h, deleted "building materials not financed by the judgment creditor in this action as provided in Section 48-2-15 NMSA 1978" and added "veteran's benefits", in Item i, deleted "a partner's interest in specific partnership property subject to the limitations of Section 54-1-25 NMSA 1978" and added "building materials not financed by the judgment creditor in this action as provided by Section 48-2-15 NMSA 1978", in Item m, deleted "public assistance and welfare benefits" and added "public benefits such as medicaid, medicare, food stamps, or other aid from a government public assistance program", and added Items v through ad; in Paragraph 4, in the first undesignated section, after "total value of", deleted "jewelry is more than $2,500" and added "each category exceeds the values specified above in state law"; and in the Use Notes, added Use Note 3.
The 2009 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. 09-8300-030, effective October 12, 2009, in the brackets at the beginning of the form, added "For use with district, magistrate and metropolitan court rules of civil procedure"; revised the caption of the form to add the blanks for "________ Judicial District Court" and "________ Court"; in Part I, changed the amount of the homestead exemption from thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) to sixty thousand dollars ($60,000); and in Part II, changed the amount of the exemption in lieu of the homestead exemption from two thousand dollars ($2,000) to five thousand dollars ($5,000).
The 1996 amendment, effective January 1, 1996, added the last sentence in Paragraph 2, deleted "state and local" preceding "pension" in Paragraph f of Part III, rewrote Paragraph 4, and substituted "a claim of exemptions on execution form" for "three copies of the claim of exemption form" in the Affidavit for Service form and in the first alternative in the Return form.
The 1994 amendment, effective May 1, 1994, amended the heading of the first paragraph to add "(HAS A RIGHT TO SEIZE)1", to change "plaintiff" to "judgment creditor", to rewrite the second sentence and to add the last sentence of the paragraph; amended paragraph 3, Part I to increase the exemption from $20,000 to $30,000 and to substitute "A judgment debtor who owns, leases or is purchasing a dwelling occupied by the judgment debtor is" for "Married persons, widows, widowers and persons who are supporting another person".
The 1993 amendment, effective January 1, 1993, deleted "(clerk) (judge)" adjacent to the signature line in the "Notice of Right to Claim Exemptions from Execution".