New Mexico · Custody and support · Updated Oct 2026
Child custody and support in New Mexico
Custody and child support in a New Mexico divorce: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, the official support calculator, custody mediation and the child support agency.
In short
New Mexico law uses the term “custody and time-sharing (parenting plan)” for custody. Parenting class: The judge may order both parents to attend a parent education workshop (NM Courts divorce page). New Mexico publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.
- Custody term
- Custody and time-sharing (parenting plan)
- Parenting class
- Depends on the court
- Child support calculator
- Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Child support agency
- New Mexico Health Care Authority, Child Support Services Division
Custody terms in New Mexico
Custody and time-sharing (parenting plan)
Mediation
In some districts you may be required to try mediation if you can't agree on custody (NM Courts divorce page).
Parenting class in New Mexico
The judge may order both parents to attend a parent education workshop (NM Courts divorce page).
Child support in New Mexico
- Child support calculator: Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Child support agency: New Mexico Health Care Authority, Child Support Services Division
Children in a New Mexico divorce: what the process includes
Custody
The court's orders use New Mexico's term for custody: custody and time-sharing (parenting plan).
Parenting class
The judge may order both parents to attend a parent education workshop (NM Courts divorce page).
Mediation
In some districts you may be required to try mediation if you can't agree on custody (NM Courts divorce page).
Child support
The official calculator or guidelines: Official child support calculator or guidelines
The child support agency
New Mexico's child support agency: New Mexico Health Care Authority, Child Support Services Division
Questions about custody and child support in New Mexico
What is child custody called in New Mexico?
New Mexico uses the term “custody and time-sharing (parenting plan)”.
Do parents have to take a class in a New Mexico divorce?
The judge may order both parents to attend a parent education workshop (NM Courts divorce page).
Is there an official child support calculator for New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico's official calculator or guidelines: Official child support calculator or guidelines
Which agency handles child support in New Mexico?
New Mexico Health Care Authority, Child Support Services Division.
Is mediation required for custody in New Mexico?
In some districts you may be required to try mediation if you can't agree on custody (NM Courts divorce page).
More about divorce in New Mexico
- All New Mexico divorce laws
- Serving divorce papers in New Mexico
- Divorce timeline estimator for New Mexico
- Divorce checklist for New Mexico
- How to file for divorce without a lawyer
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
Custody and support in nearby states
- Official child support calculator or guidelines
- New Mexico Health Care Authority, Child Support Services Division
- NM Courts Self-Representation: Divorce
- NM Courts form 4A-103 Petition for Divorce
- NM Courts Forms: Civil (free process forms 4-222, 4-223)
- NM Courts Forms: Child Support (calculator)
- NM Courts HelpLine
- IRS Publication 555, Community Property
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.