A. The supreme court shall designate three judicial districts to participate in a court visitor pilot program. The administrative office of the courts shall randomly select cases from each judicial district designated to participate in the pilot program, and in each selected case, the court shall appoint a volunteer court visitor post-adjudication, who shall be provided by the office of guardianship.

Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 45-5-111

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.

B. The visitor shall review any reports filed by the guardian, visit the protected person where the person resides, fulfill all responsibilities outlined in the volunteer court visitor agreement executed with the office of guardianship and submit a written report to the court. The report to the court shall include:

(1)     any changes to the information provided in the guardian’s last report; (2)     any changes in the protected person’s needs since the filing of the guardian’s last report;

(3)     whether any grievances, as defined in Section 45-5-110 N.M. Stat. Ann., have been made, and resolutions of the grievances, if any;

(4)     whether the guardian adequately meets the protected person’s needs, including the protected person’s living arrangements, medical and health care needs, and, if not, the reasons why the needs are not adequately met;

(5)     a recommendation regarding the appropriateness of the guardianship, including whether the guardianship should be limited, increased or terminated; and

(6)     any other information the court deems appropriate.

C. The court visitor pilot program shall be implemented no later than July 1, 2022.