Rule 1-144.Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings; mandatory viewing of New Mexico Courts’ Guardian and Conservator Orientation Program videos

Last verified June 26, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1-144 requires a proposed guardian or conservator to view the New Mexico Courts’ orientation program videos and certify it before being appointed.

Full Text of Rule 1-144

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A. Scope. This rule establishes the requirement that any proposed guardian or conservator of an alleged incapacitated person must view the New Mexico Courts’ Guardian and Conservator Orientation Program videos prior to being appointed guardian or conservator.

B. Applicability. This rule applies to proposed guardians and conservators and to proposed professional guardians or conservators.

C. Definitions. For the purpose of this rule, a “professional guardian or conservator” means an individual or entity that serves as guardian or conservator for more than two individuals who are not related to the guardian or conservator by marriage, adoption, or third degree of blood or affinity.

D. Required videos for proposed guardian. Prior to the Court appointing a guardian, the proposed guardian must view the following videos of the New Mexico Courts’ Guardian and Conservator Orientation Program:

(1) Introduction;

(2) Guardian Orientation;

(3) How to Complete the Guardian’s Report;

(4) Guide to Filing and Distributing Guardian and Conservator’s Reports;

(5) Abuse and Neglect; and

(6) How to File a Grievance.

E. Required videos for proposed conservator. Prior to the Court appointing a conservator, the proposed conservator must view the following videos of the New Mexico Courts’ Guardian and Conservator Orientation Program:

(1) Introduction;

(2) Conservator Orientation;

(3) Overview of Conservator’s Report and Bonding Requirements;

(4) How to Complete the Conservator’s Inventory;

(5) How to Complete the Conservator’s Report;

(6) Guide to Filing and Distributing Guardian and Conservator’s Reports;

(7) Abuse and Neglect; and

(8) How to File a Grievance.

F. Proof of viewing. No later than five (5) calendar days before the hearing on a petition to appoint a guardian or conservator, the proposed guardian or conservator shall file a certificate with the court stating that the required videos have been viewed.

End

Rule History

[Adopted by Supreme Court Order No. 21-8300-001, effective for cases pending or filed on or after February 1, 2021.]

Plain-English Summary

This rule builds training into the appointment process. Before the court appoints a guardian or conservator—including a professional one—the proposed appointee must view the New Mexico Courts’ Guardian and Conservator Orientation Program videos. A proposed guardian watches a defined set (introduction, guardian orientation, completing the guardian’s report, filing and distributing reports, abuse and neglect, and filing a grievance), and a proposed conservator watches a corresponding set that adds the inventory, report, and bonding videos.

No later than five calendar days before the hearing on the petition, the proposed guardian or conservator files a certificate stating the required videos have been viewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must a proposed guardian complete training before appointment?

Yes. They must view the New Mexico Courts’ orientation videos and file a certificate—no later than five calendar days before the hearing—stating the required videos were viewed.

Source & verification. Rule text and Committee commentary reproduced verbatim from the New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts (Rule 1-144 NMRA), published by the New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of New Mexico. The plain-English summary is original and draws on the official annotations. Last verified June 26, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: orientation videosguardian orientationconservator orientationmandatory training