How to Collect Your Judgment in New Mexico

A New Mexico judgment is enforceable for 14 years, and can be renewed before it expires. Under NMSA 1978 Section 37-1-2, an action on a NM judgment may be brought within 14 years of entry, and a judgment may be revived. Execution may issue at any time within 7 years after rendition or revival of the judgment. The 2021 amendment caps ultimate enforceability at 14 years from the date of the original judgment (a revived/renewed judgment is not enforceable beyond 14 years from the original).

Yes. Garnishment in New Mexico can reach Lesser of 25% of disposable earnings, or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 40x the highest applicable minimum hourly wage at the place the wages were earned. Exemptions: 75% of disposable earnings (or 40x the highest applicable minimum hourly wage per week, whichever is greater) is exempt under NMSA 1978 Section 35-12-7.

Through Examination of Judgment Debtor (Rule 1-069 NMRA, district court; supplementary proceedings to discover assets) (Rule 1-069 NMRA) — the court orders the debtor to appear and disclose their assets under oath. After judgment, the creditor may use Rule 1-069 NMRA to examine the judgment debtor (or third parties) under oath about assets, and may serve a subpoena/subpoena duces tecum compelling the debtor to appear and produce records. In magistrate/metropolitan court the parallel garnishment and execution rules are 2-802 and 3-802 NMRA. Procedures and any fees are set per judicial district.

A money judgment from the supreme court, court of appeals, district court, or metropolitan court is docketed by the clerk, who issues a certified transcript/abstract of judgment on request. The creditor files (records) the transcript with the county clerk of each county where the debtor owns real estate. The judgment becomes a lien on the debtor's real estate in that county from the date the transcript is filed (NMSA 1978 Section 39-1-6).

You pay the court and sheriff their own filing/levy fees directly (usually modest, and recoverable from the debtor). Our Judgment Collection service is a flat $299 — we prepare your New Mexico-specific enforcement forms and a step-by-step filing playbook; you file them. Compared with collection firms that take 33–50% of what they recover, that's hundreds to thousands less on a typical judgment.

Some debtors are "judgment-proof" — no job, no bank account, no equity — and no tool can squeeze money that isn't there. The honest play is the debtor's exam to confirm what exists, then keep the judgment alive (it lasts 14 years and is renewable) and try again when their situation changes. We give you the tools, not a guaranteed payout.