Use This County Probate Reference Before You File
This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, Probate Court (informal) or District Court (formal) contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Valencia County.
Local Fee Schedule
Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.
Court Rules and Orders
Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.
Clerk and Filing Logistics
Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.
Valencia County Probate Court (informal) or District Court (formal) Guide
Thirteenth Judicial District of New Mexico · Probate Court (informal) or District Court (formal) information · Updated June 2026
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Filing & Fees
Fee Schedule Signals
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
Formal Administration Standard probate for larger estates | $132 |
Small Estate Affidavit For estates under threshold (no court filing needed) | $30 |
Note: New Mexico sets probate filing fees statewide. The county Probate Court charges a flat $30 docket fee for informal, uncontested probate and appointment (NMSA 1978, Section 34-7-14); this is the petition_probate amount. The District Court charges the standard civil docket fee of about $132 for formal, supervised, or contested administration (NMSA 34-6-40); this is the formal_administration amount. A small estate that is summarily distributed and closed (NMSA 45-3-1203) is handled within an already-opened informal probate, so no court fee beyond the $30 docket fee applies, and the small-estate affidavit under NMSA 45-3-1201 is presented directly to the asset holder and has no separate court filing fee. New Mexico imposes NO value-based probate tax and NO state estate or inheritance tax. Many county probate courts also sell an optional printed will/no-will information packet for a small additional fee (commonly $5-$10). Verify current amounts with the court before relying on a figure.
New Mexico sets probate filing fees statewide. The county Probate Court charges a flat $30 docket fee for informal, uncontested probate and appointment (NMSA 1978, Section 34-7-14); this is the petition_probate amount. The District Court charges the standard civil docket fee of about $132 for formal, supervised, or contested administration (NMSA 34-6-40); this is the formal_administration amount. A small estate that is summarily distributed and closed (NMSA 45-3-1203) is handled within an already-opened informal probate, so no court fee beyond the $30 docket fee applies, and the small-estate affidavit under NMSA 45-3-1201 is presented directly to the asset holder and has no separate court filing fee. New Mexico imposes NO value-based probate tax and NO state estate or inheritance tax. Many county probate courts also sell an optional printed will/no-will information packet for a small additional fee (commonly $5-$10). Verify current amounts with the court before relying on a figure.
Required Documents
E-Filing & Filing Methods
Records portal
Use this county-linked source to check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.
NM Case Lookup is the statewide public case-search portal for New Mexico District, Magistrate, Metropolitan, and Municipal courts (no registration required). Document images are not available, and personal identifying information is redacted. Informal probate filed in the county Probate Court may not appear; confirm probate case details directly with the county Probate Court or the district court clerk.
Timelines & Proceedings
Deadlines & Creditor Claims
Key Deadlines
- Will Deposit
- Verify locally
- Creditor Claims
- 4 months
- Known Creditor Notice
- 60 days
Creditor Claims
- Period Starts
- first publication of notice to creditors
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Sources (8)
- https://www.co.valencia.nm.us/249/Probate-Judge
- https://thirteenthdistrictcourt.nmcourts.gov/
- https://nmcourts.gov/forms-files/probate/
- https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4359/index.do
- https://caselookup.nmcourts.gov/caselookup/app
- https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/new-mexico/nm-statutes/new_mexico_statutes_45-3-1201
- https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/new-mexico/nm-statutes/new_mexico_statutes_45-3-801
- https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/new-mexico/nm-statutes/new_mexico_statutes_45-2-516