Overview
The Family Court Clinic has been providing services in the Second Judicial District Court for 30 years.
The mission of the Second Judicial Family Court Clinic is to provide court-ordered parties access to competent mediation, consultations and other dispute resolution alternatives with the primary goal of empowering parties to resolve conflict. Working within the context of the best interest of children, as dedicated and experienced professionals, the Court Clinic promotes integrity, respect, tolerance, fairness and cultural sensitivity within its service provision.
Under the leadership of Director Timothy Reed, LCSW, licensed mental health professionals and paraprofessionals provide services to families without any bias as to the race, ethnicity, sex or gender of parents or children.
Court Clinic Documents
Court Clinic Guide to Developing Time-Sharing Schedules (2021)
This guide is intended for use by parents, mediators, mental health practitioners, attorneys and judicial officers when developing time-sharing schedules. It includes sections that briefly discuss important factors to consider for every time-sharing schedule, as well as sections that are specific to age groupings. Additional information and references can be found at the end. This guide is the work products of the Court Clinic team at the Second Judicial District Court of New Mexico and as such, any use of it must be credited.
Mediation Questionnaire
For use after parties have been ordered for mediation services.
Court Clinic Parenting Plan Template
The Parenting Plan Template is an example of what is typically included in a Parenting Plan and can be used as a starting point for developing a parenting plan specific to the needs of parties and their child(ren).
Court Clinic Questionnaire for Consultations
For use after parties have been ordered for consultation services. Consultation appointments are scheduled after receiving questionnaires from all parties.
Court Clinic Referral Order – PDF (fillable)
A signed Court Clinic Referral Order (CCRO) is necessary to access Court Clinic services. Please see sections below for specifics regarding services, eligibility and referral.
Court Clinic Services Offered
Pursuant to NM Stat § 40-12-5 (2020), a “judicial district may establish a domestic relations mediation program by court rule approved by the supreme court. The district court may employ or contract with a counselor to provide consultations, evaluations and mediation in domestic relations cases involving children.”
Mediation
Mediation is a confidential process in which parties meet with a Clinician “in order to assist the parties in focusing on the needs of the children and to assist in reaching a mutually acceptable parenting plan regarding the child.”
Consultations
Eligibility and Referral to Court Clinic Services
Court Clinic services are available to parties with children who have cases open in the Second Judicial District Court. A Court Clinic Referral Order (CCRO) signed by a judge is required to participate in Court Clinic services.
Referrals for Mediation
Parties may stipulate to mediation services at the Court Clinic: Pursuant to LR2-401 (Court Clinic mediation program and other services for child-related disputes), “the parties may stipulate to or the court may order, for good cause shown, the parties to participate in confidential mediation in the court clinic.”
Referrals for Consultations
Parties may not stipulate to consultation services at the Court Clinic: Pursuant to LR2-401 “except for initial mediations the court will not order court clinic services simply on stipulation of the parties, and shall require a showing of good cause.”
Fees for Court Clinic Services
Court Clinic mediation services are offered free of charge.
There is a fee per party for consultations based on a sliding scale. Pursuant to LR2-401, “Court clinic services provided under the Domestic Relations Mediation Act shall be paid by the parties in accordance with the requirements of Rule 1-125(I) NMRA.”
For more information on fees, view the Court Clinic Fee Schedule (English).
Court Clinic Office Hours
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. (closed during the lunch hour)
Court Clinic Contact Information
Email Address
This is the preferred method of contact
albdcourtclinic@nmcourts.gov
Phone and Fax
Phone: 505-841-7409
Fax: 505-841-6768
Court Clinic Physical Address
400 Lomas Blvd NW
Room 210, 2nd Floor
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Court Clinic Director
Timothy Reed, LCSW