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Don F. Harris
New Mexico Financial and Family Law
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Biography
After 30 years, my reputation is about caring for my clients and providing realistic expectations.
Only lawyer in the State of New Mexico who is a certified specialist in both consumer and business bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification.
Former Board Member, Family Law Section of New Mexico State Bar.
Selected by New Mexico State Bar to sit on several judicial selection panels.
Practice Areas
- Bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Family Law
- Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Estate Planning
- Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Fees
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Contingent Fees
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Colorado
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- Connecticut
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- New Mexico
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Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
- Owner / Attorney
- New Mexico Financial and Family Law
- - Current
Education
- University of Connecticut School of Law
- J.D. (1990) | Law
- -
- Honors: Cum Laude
- Activities: Connecticut Journal of International Law
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- University of Hartford
- B.A. (1987) | Music
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- Honors: Lead Tenor Saxophone, Concert Jazz Band, All Four Years
- Activities: Operations Director, Campus Radio Station, WWUH
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Awards
- AV Rated, Preeminent
- Martindale Hubbel
- Martindale-Hubbell rates only ten percent of attorneys as preeminent under their confidential peer review process. Selected: 2017 - 2020
- Client Platinum Champion
- Martindale-Hubbell
- This is the highest award for Client Satisfaction from Martindale-Hubbell based on reviews from satisfied clients. Selected: 2019 - 2020
- Selected as Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Organization
- Super Lawyers
- One of a small percentage of lawyers Selected by Southwest Super Lawyers. This is an independent, confidential, and patented process bases on nominations and reviews by other lawyers. Selected To Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2018, 2020
Professional Associations
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Member
- Current
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- National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
- Member
- Current
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- Albuquerque Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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- New Mexico State Bar - Family Law Section
- Member
- Current
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- New Mexico State Bar - Bankruptcy Section
- Member - Former President
- Current
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- New Mexico Collaborative Practice Group
- Member
- Current
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- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- Member
- Current
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- New Mexico State Bar
- Member
- - Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
- Intersection with Bankruptcy
- New Mexico Family Law Manuel
- Prepared Statements of Donald F. Harris
- US Congress, House Judiciary Committee
Speaking Engagements
- Bankruptcy and Commercial Leases, Commercial Real Estate 101, Albuquerque, NM
- National Business Institute
- Credit and Bankruptcy Issues, Real Estate Law: Advanced Issues and Answers, Albuquerque, NM
- National Business Institute
- Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, Consumer Bankruptcy 101, Albuquerque, NM
- Law Review CLE
Certifications
- Board Certified, Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Business Bankruptcy Law
- American Board of Certification
- Certified to Practice Collaborative Divorce Law
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
New Mexico Financial and Family Law - Bankruptcy Specialists
New Mexico Financial and Family Law - Divorce Specialists
Legal Answers
9 Questions Answered
- Q. I am married contemplating divorce. What are my rights as far as receiving any pension, social security benefits, etc.
- A: Pension rights that accrue during marriage are normally community property in New Mexico. Social Security is not. In any marriage over ten years, the ex-spouse can claim long term spouse benefits, from the Social Security Administration, without affecting the other ex-spouse. Go the the government website for more information.
- Q. my daughter is nearly 15 and wants to change her last name to her step-fathers. can her father object?
- A: The parents of a minor child have to be notified of a name change in New Mexico, and her dad can object. He may not bother, or the judge very well may overrule his objection if the child's reasoning is sound.
- Q. How will the following look to a judge.
- A: First, if he is in he military, he is likely required to support his spouse by the military so long as he is married. I have had my military male clients get reported by the separated wife to his chain of command for not supporting her, and it has caused my clients problems.
Second, I tell all my clients, especially men, to always wear the "white hat" when working through a divorce.
What your son is doing sounds like "white hat" behavior to me.
Finally, in all states, custody is determined by what is in the best interest of the children. The temporary arrangement should not matter particularly. In custody cases, the judge is usually only interested in what arrangement ... Read More
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