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When to consider hiring help, what to look for in a probate attorney, and firms serving Mora County.
We found 20 estate law firms serving Mora County. Mora County is part of the North Central New Mexico region.
These firms handle estate administration, will contests, trust litigation, and other probate matters in Mora County Mora County Probate Court.
New Mexico allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Mora County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in New Mexico are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2%NMSA § 45-3-715(A)(21) (PR may employ attorneys and compensate them as admin expense); § 45-3-720 (expenses in estate litigation, incl. reasonable attorney fees); no statutory percentageVerified Jun 11, 2026 to 4%NMSA § 45-3-715(A)(21) (PR may employ attorneys and compensate them as admin expense); § 45-3-720 (expenses in estate litigation, incl. reasonable attorney fees); no statutory percentageVerified Jun 11, 2026 of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Mora County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Mora County Probate Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
The oldest law firm in New Mexico, founded in 1866 by Thomas B. Catron, who became New Mexico's first United States Senator in 1912. Fletcher R. Catron is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
Location
2006 Botulph RdSanta Fe, NM 87505
Phone
(505) 982-1947
Established
1866
Danelle J. Smith has over 50 years of legal experience serving San Miguel County and northeastern New Mexico. She previously served as assistant and chief district attorney for the 4th Judicial District (1977-1984) and city attorney for the City of Las Vegas (1984-1988). She also serves on the New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents.
Location
812 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 1Las Vegas, NM 87701
Phone
(505) 370-7119
Established
1988
Richard De Stefano has been practicing law for over 40 years, the first half in Beverly Hills, California, and since 1995 in Taos, New Mexico. The firm handles wills, living trusts, insurance trusts, charitable trusts, asset protection, probate and non-probate administration.
Location
411 Camino de la PlacitaTaos, NM 87571
Phone
(575) 751-7100
Founded by Kelan Emery in 1987, the firm serves clients in northern New Mexico in wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, estate administration, and business entity formation. One of the longest-established estate planning practices in Taos County.
Location
309 Salazar RdTaos, NM 87571
Phone
(575) 758-7997
Established
1987
Kate Fitz Gibbon is a Santa Fe attorney with a local practice focused on wills, trusts and probate. The firm handles planning for all families including minor children and special needs.
Location
460 Saint Michaels Dr, Suite 1203Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone
(505) 216-9349
Karen Holmes is a Los Alamos-based attorney providing estate planning services. She holds a J.D. from William & Mary School of Law and is licensed in both California and New Mexico. She brings a research and appellate law background from her judicial clerkship with Justice Ron Robie of the California Court of Appeals.
Location
Los AlamosLos Alamos, NM 87544
Eugenio S. Mathis has served San Miguel County and northeastern New Mexico since 1979 with estate planning as a core service area. Over 46 years of legal experience serving the Las Vegas, NM community.
Location
515 6th StreetLas Vegas, NM 87701
Phone
(505) 425-3204
Established
1979
Long-established Los Alamos firm with two members, Oliver H. Miles and Shay Burns Kendricks. Kendricks leads the firm's estate planning practice, regularly speaks on estate planning to local Rotary and the Los Alamos Community Foundation, and has been a member of the New Mexico bar since 1998.
Location
195 East Rd, Suite 102BLos Alamos, NM 87544
Phone
(505) 662-7025
Established
1992
Mary Lane Leslie has practiced law since 1979 with a focus on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, guardianships for minors and the disabled, and probating wills. She travels to small towns and villages throughout northern New Mexico for clients who cannot travel to Taos.
Location
P.O. Box 1568Taos, NM 87571
Phone
(575) 737-0555
Santa Fe Law Group has been practicing law in Santa Fe for over 30 years with 100+ years of combined experience. The firm offers comprehensive estate planning from simple wills to complex trusts, probate, and guardianship administration.
Location
123 E Marcy Street, Suite 200Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone
(505) 982-3610
Founded in 1953 by Joseph A. Sommer, Sommer Udall Law Firm has established itself as one of the preeminent law firms in Northern New Mexico. The firm has earned Best Lawyers recognition and Super Lawyers selections.
Location
2000 Old Pecos TrailSanta Fe, NM 87504
Phone
(505) 982-4676
Established
1953
Established in 2012, The Banner Firm provides reliable legal counsel in estate planning, probate and trust litigation, and real estate matters. Thomas Banner has experience as a former Assistant District Attorney and New Mexico Medical Board attorney.
Location
1512 Pacheco Street, Suite D203Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone
(505) 428-0523
Established
2012
These firms are based in other regions but serve Mora County.
These firms serve clients throughout New Mexico.
Cristy J. Carbon-Gaul leads a firm focused exclusively on estate planning and related matters with over 20 years of experience. The firm serves clients throughout New Mexico, from Albuquerque to Las Cruces.
Location
10143 4th St NWAlbuquerque, NM 87114
Phone
(505) 899-5696
Service Area
Statewide
Founded in Santa Fe in 1917, Cuddy & McCarthy has been a full-service law firm for over 100 years, providing comprehensive estate planning services to help individuals and families prepare for the future.
Location
1701 Old Pecos TrailSanta Fe, NM 87505
Phone
(505) 988-4476
Established
1917
Service Area
Statewide
Modrall Sperling has extensive experience representing clients through all stages of the estate planning process, from planning and drafting a will, or a trust in combination with a will, to the probate and administration of the estate. Two shareholders are Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
Location
500 Fourth Street NW, Suite 1000Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone
(505) 848-1800
Service Area
Statewide
New Mexico Legal Group has served New Mexico families with estate planning and probate administration for over 23 years. The firm maintains offices in both Albuquerque and Las Cruces, serving clients statewide.
Location
2701 Arizona Street NEAlbuquerque, NM 87110
Phone
(505) 843-7303
Service Area
Statewide
A probate litigation-focused firm that represents clients in contested and uncontested probate across all New Mexico courts. Kevin Holmes in Albuquerque and Eric Ortiz in Santa Fe bring over 40 years of combined trial experience. The firm represents personal representatives, heirs, creditors, and interested persons in probate-related disputes.
Location
AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque, NM 87102
Phone
(505) 370-1500
Service Area
Statewide
PBWS is a women-owned, women-led firm with over 170 years of combined experience. The attorneys focus on legal matters related to wills, trusts, probate, guardianships, and fiduciary litigation.
Location
2424 Louisiana Blvd NE, Suite 200Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone
(505) 872-0505
Established
2008
Service Area
Statewide
Rodey Law Firm provides a variety of estate planning and probate services, including representing clients in trust and estate litigation. One of New Mexico's most established law firms with 65+ lawyers. 34 lawyers listed in 2026 Best Lawyers in America.
Location
201 3rd Street NW, Suite 2200Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone
(505) 765-5900
Established
1883
Service Area
Statewide
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The New Mexico self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
New Mexico uses reasonable fees for probate. Typical Mora County rates run $200–$500/hour, with simple estates taking 20–40 hours. Flat-fee arrangements are available from some firms.
Files the petition, publishes required notices, helps with the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. The attorney represents the personal representative, not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if disputes arise.
Referrals from an estate planning attorney you already work with are the best source. Bar association directories are second. Avoid attorneys who won't quote a fee structure up front or who won't explain whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures.
Yes — by avoiding probate altogether. A revocable living trust removes the estate from court jurisdiction, which removes the need for a probate attorney at settlement time. Create a revocable trust online for about what one hour of probate-attorney time costs.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability. Information last verified: June 2026.
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