If you had a crystal ball, what would you hope to see in your future? It’s not a question you may have considered before seeking the assistance of a family law attorney. But perhaps it should be.
Knowing where you want to be. What you want your next chapter to look like. And thinking about who will be standing by your side, can help you navigate even the most challenging divorce, child custody dispute, or break-up of your family business.
As an experienced family lawyer, former family business owner, and divorcee, Albuquerque area Attorney Bob Matteucci is better prepared than most to help you figure out what the future holds and how to build a foundation to get you to that point.
Finding a Path Forward that Fits Your Family’s Needs
Divorce is never in your plans when you say “I do.” It’s something that you figure out when you get to, not something you plan for. But that doesn’t mean you need to rush through your decision-making or settle for some Hollywood version of divorce that has you picturing a bunch of people in suits fighting at the courthouse when your relationship is at an end.
While New Mexico used to be a fault-based state that required couples to air their dirty laundry in public, today we are a no-fault state that only requires couples to state they are incompatible with one another. This gives you great flexibility when it comes to the actual divorce process.
Attorney Bob Matteucci can help you weigh the pros and cons of different types of divorce, and find one that fits your family’s needs. This is an especially important decision if you have young children, or you and your former partner share significant assets or own a business.
- Self-Help Divorce – If you have only been married a short amount of time, you don’t have any children or significant assets or debts, and you agree with your soon-to-be-former partner on all aspects of your separation, you can use the New Mexico court system’s self-help forms to divorce without the assistance of an attorney.
- Uncontested Divorce – New Mexico couples seeking an amicable split can together file for an uncontested divorce. Attorney Bob Matteucci assists couples who want to take this route. He can counsel you as you make decisions about your split, and draft and file all of the documents required by the state to formalize your agreement.
- Traditional Divorce – The majority of divorces filed by people in the Albuquerque area are traditional divorces. One party files for divorce, and serves the other with divorce papers, and each spouse hires an attorney to represent their interests. The attorneys will negotiate the terms of the divorce, and draft all the documents that need to be filed with the court — like a marital settlement agreement, parenting plan, and petition for dissolution. Sometimes it is also necessary to hire a third party settlement facilitator to smooth the negotiation process. The vast majority of couples reach an agreement that avoids the need to litigate their divorce in open court.
- Mediated Divorce – Mediation is the preferred choice of couples who generally agree on the terms of their divorce but need assistance resolving a few high-stakes conflicts or fairly dividing complex assets. The mediator, a neutral third party, works towards steering both sides to a mutually acceptable resolution, and drafts all the paperwork necessary to formalize the divorce.
- Collaborative Divorce – Couples in the Albuquerque area who still trust and respect one another, but no longer want to be married to each other, are increasingly opting for collaborative divorces. Attorney Bob Matteucci is one of a handful of lawyers in New Mexico who are certified to guide couples through this process, which relies on the assistance of professionals like financial planners and counselors.
- Military Divorce – Like many aspects of life when one or both partners is serving in the military, divorce is not as straightforward as it is for civilian couples. Whether you are stationed at Cannon, Holloman, Kirtland, White Sands, Los Alamos, or have some other link to New Mexico, he is ready to help guide you through the divorce process.
- Same-Sex Divorce – Same sex couples who are splitting up face many of the same issues upon divorce that heterosexuals do. However, there are some additional hoops that some same sex partners must jump through if they want to ensure they enjoy the same rights and protections as heterosexuals post-divorce.
This list of options is not here to overwhelm you. It’s here to let you know that Attorney Matteucci isn’t going to push a cookie-cutter divorce on you. He’s going to work with you to find a way forward that truly fits you and your family’s unique needs.
Someone Who Appreciates Your Family’s Unique Needs When it Comes to Child Custody & Support
Every parent wants what’s best for their children. That’s why negotiating a custody agreement—or modifying an existing one—is one of the most sensitive and critical parts of any family law case.
In New Mexico, the courts typically favor joint legal custody, which means both parents share in making major decisions about their child’s education, health care, religion, holidays, and other important matters. This remains true even when one parent has primary physical custody.
No two families are alike, and no two custody plans should be. Bob Matteucci helps his clients in the Albuquerque area craft co-parenting agreements that prioritize quality time, work around demanding professional schedules, and reflect what’s truly best for the children—including those with special needs—instead of defaulting to a rigid 50/50 split. He then drafts a parenting plan that formalizes the agreement so it has the weight of the court behind it.
Once custody is settled, New Mexico law uses a formula to calculate child support. However, there’s still a little room to negotiate based on how custody is shared and each parent’s financial circumstances.
Whenever possible, Bob helps parents reach child custody and support agreements outside of court. Judges usually approve reasonable, well-drafted plans, saving everyone time, stress, and money—and sending a powerful message to your children that they are not the reason you’re fighting.
Figuring Out if Spousal Support or Alimony is Appropriate in Your Case
Spousal support, also known as alimony, is money paid by one ex-spouse to the other to help the recipient smooth their path to post-divorce life. It can also be used as a bargaining chip in situations where a couple’s assets cannot be evenly split without destroying the value or utility of the assets in question.
Spousal support is not paid in every divorce, but it is something that all divorcing couples must consider. Attorney Bob Matteucci has helped many couples in the Albuquerque area negotiate spousal support agreements that are fair and equitable in their specific circumstances.
Protecting Your Family From Domestic Abuse or False Allegations of Abuse
Domestic violence and abuse impact thousands of New Mexico families, regardless of the age, sex, marital status, or income of the people involved. In fact, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been abused by an intimate partner.
Attorney Bob Matteucci is ready to help if you need to take civil legal action to legally distance yourself or your children from an abusive family member by seeking an Order of Protection (aka restraining order). Any contact you make with Bob will be held in the strictest confidence. Bob handles these cases quietly and confidentially to protect your privacy and keep you safe.
At the same time, Bob understands that not all allegations are made in good faith. In highly contentious divorces, false or exaggerated claims of abuse may arise. That’s why Bob listens carefully to each client’s story and ensures that your voice is heard, whether you’re seeking protection or defending against a wrongful accusation.
Navigating New Mexico’s Asset Division Law
While the personal side of family law gets top billing, the financial and business impact a divorce or other dispute can have on your life is just as profound.
New Mexico is a community property state, which means there is a legal presumption that any property acquired during the marriage, or that increases in value during the marriage, is owned equally by both spouses (regardless of who has the title on it). At divorce, the value of all this community property must be divided equally between the spouses.
Thanks to his MBA degree and business background, Attorney Bob Matteucci is often asked to counsel couples who have high-value or complex assets like businesses, real estate, retirement accounts that must be divided at divorce.
Protecting Family-Owned Businesses During Divorce
Going through the divorce process as a business owner is what inspired Bob to head back to school and become a lawyer. Before earning his J.D. with a concentration in Business Law from the University of New Mexico, Bob graduated from Tulane University with an MBA and was the fourth-generation owner of a profitable shoe store chain. He then established and grew his own business that in 13 years generated more than $5.5 million in annual sales.
Bob’s past experiences mean he knows exactly how difficult it can be when family and business disputes become intertwined. He works closely with clients to:
- Identify ownership interests across generations
- Avoid forced sales or operational disruptions
- Evaluate business valuations fairly
- Develop solutions that protect future income streams and family involvement
- Protect intellectual property and goodwill
- Structure buyouts or long-term agreements that preserve the business while settling the divorce fairly
Whether your business is a local retail shop, a multi-generational farm, or a professional practice, Bob can provide thoughtful legal guidance that keeps the business intact and the future in focus.
Serving Families in Albuquerque with Dignity & Compassion
When your family and finances are on the line, you need more than just legal advice—you need a trusted advisor who truly understands what’s at stake and is ready to help you plan for the future.
Attorney Bob Matteucci combines legal knowledge, business insight, and a deep understanding of New Mexico family law to guide clients through complex divorces, custody disputes, and financial separations with strategy and dignity. Contact him today to start moving forward.