Once upon a time—specifically, before the 1970s—if you wanted to get divorced in a hurry, you packed your bags and headed to Reno, Nevada. “The biggest little city in the world” became a divorce hotspot because Nevada law didn’t demand proof of fault, and only required you to live there six weeks before splitting up.
The popularity of Nevada’s “quickie divorce” law, and changing views on women’s rights, inspired other states to adopt similar policies. Today, it is relatively easy to get divorced in any state as long as you have the right attitude.
At Matteucci Family Law, we help people in the Albuquerque area and beyond navigate New Mexico’s divorce system as quickly and efficiently as possible.
New Mexico’s Quickie Divorce Law
While many New Mexico residents used to head west when they wanted a “quickie divorce,” our state effectively ended that practice when it amended our state laws in 1973 to allow for no-fault divorce.
Prior to that, couples who wanted to file for divorce had to prove to the court that their marriage had failed because their partner wronged them. The person seeking a divorce had to present evidence proving their partner had treated them cruelly, abandoned them, or committed adultery if they wanted to split up.
Today, New Mexico only allows residents to file no-fault divorces. You simply inform the court you and your former partner are incompatible and want to separate. Presenting evidence of misconduct or misbehavior won’t help you get divorced or speed up the process.
The only other requirement for divorce is New Mexico residency. Either you or your partner must have lived in the state for at least six months, and have plans to remain here in the future.
If you try to file before meeting the six-month requirement, or disclose the fact that you both plan to get the heck out of here as soon as the ink dries on your paperwork, the New Mexico courts will be unable to grant the divorce because they lack jurisdiction over you.
This isn’t just a local quirk, it’s a direct response to the old six weeks in Reno tradition. New Mexico wanted to be very clear about when it would grant a divorce, and ensure other states viewed its laws as legitimate. This is because some states were so mad about Nevada’s divorce laws that they refused to recognize any divorce granted by the state.
Eventually, the United States Supreme Court caught wind of this and ruled that the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 1) applies even in the family law context. As long as a state has thoughtful laws in place, all the other states have to honor what they say even if they disagree with them. That’s why one of the reasons why states like New Mexico take residency requirements as seriously as they do.
The Real Speed Factor: Your Mindset
Under our modern laws, the biggest barrier to quick divorce is your attitude. Divorces drag when people get stuck in the past, fight over every detail, or refuse to compromise. On the flip side, when both parties are emotionally ready and eager to move forward, things can move quickly.
A future-focused mindset doesn’t just speed up the legal process, it helps you heal. People who approach divorce as a turning point rather than a failure tend to feel more in control and less stuck. That doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine; it means making intentional choices about what comes next. Whether you’re hoping to rebuild financially, reconnect with your kids, or simply have peace of mind, progress starts with perspective.
Once you have that end goal in mind, Attorney Bob Matteucci can help you decide which method of divorce will work best for you and your family:
- 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, the quickest way to get divorced is to use the New Mexico court system’s self-help forms to divorce without the assistance of an attorney. If you get stuck during this process, Bob can help you get to the finish line.
- 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. As long as you and your soon-to-be-ex are on the same page when it comes to child custody and asset division, this can move quickly.
- 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. Mediation is often quicker than a traditional divorce because it is not an adversarial process.
- Collaborative Divorce – Collaborative divorce is growing in popularity with couples in the Albuquerque area because it solves a lot of problems all at once. Your financial planners and counselors get a seat at the negotiating table so all aspects of your split can be discussed and resolved together. Attorney Bob Matteucci is one of a handful of lawyers in New Mexico who are certified to guide couples through this process.
No matter which method of divorce you choose, you may be able to wrap things up in a matter of weeks if you and your former spouse have a positive, forward-looking mindset.
Serving Families with Dignity & Compassion
The days of heading to Reno for a quick divorce may be long gone, but New Mexico offers its own path to a fast and fair split if you come prepared with the right mindset. At Matteucci Family Law, we believe that efficiency and emotional clarity go hand in hand. Whether you choose self-help, traditional representation, mediation, or collaborative divorce, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence and peace of mind. Because the real secret to a “quickie divorce” in New Mexico isn’t in the law, it’s your attitude. Please contact Matteucci Family Law today if you are ready to move forward.