New Mexico Statutes 45-1-303. Venue; multiple proceedings; transfer
A. Subject to the provisions of Sections 45-1-302 and 45-3-201 N.M. Stat. Ann. and N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 45, Article 5 and the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act [N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 45, Article 5A], if a proceeding under the Uniform Probate Code could be maintained in more than one place in New Mexico, the court in which the proceeding is first commenced has the exclusive right to proceed.
Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 45-1-303
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Probate: Proving a will
- Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
B. If proceedings concerning the same estate, protected person or trust are commenced in more than one court of New Mexico, the court having jurisdiction in which the proceeding was first commenced shall continue to hear the matter and the other courts shall hold the matter in abeyance until the question of venue is decided. If the ruling court determines that venue is properly in another court having jurisdiction, it shall transfer the proceeding to the other court.
C. If a court finds that in the interest of justice a proceeding or a file should be located in another court of New Mexico having jurisdiction, the court making the finding may transfer the proceeding or file to the other court.