McKinley County Probate Records Overview
McKinley County Probate Judge Monica Martinez is the local official named for county probate matters. The office address is 207 West Hill Ave., Gallup, NM 87301. The contact phone is 505-863-6866, with fax 505-863-1419. The judge is a part-time position, and the schedule varies by month, so call the Clerk's Office at 505-863-6866 for information or an appointment.
The McKinley County Probate Judge page is the official local source for probate judge duties, the appointment note, address, and phone.
The County Probate Judge page is the strongest source for informal probate routing because it names the local office and its contact path.
What McKinley County Probate Covers
County Probate Court activity includes admission of a will to informal probate and informal appointment of personal representatives. Upon verified application by a personal representative, the Probate Judge may sign an order granting and establishing the representative's rights to execute an estate. The county page also notes that the judge enables a personal representative to obtain a discharge of liens securing performance.
New Mexico Probate Courts have limited jurisdiction, no jury trials, and hear uncontested cases. There is one probate judge for each New Mexico county. Contested probate cases go to District Court, which means a dispute over a will, heir, personal representative, creditor issue, or other contested estate matter should not be treated as a simple county probate appointment. The District Court path also matters when a probate case appears in a court search tool rather than only through county office contact.
- Testator
- The person who made a will.
- Executor
- A person named to carry out the will. New Mexico materials also use personal representative for the person authorized to administer an estate.
- Intestate
- Dying without a will.
- Guardianship
- A court matter involving authority over a person, often with restricted access when minors or protected persons are involved.
- Conservatorship
- A court matter involving authority over property or finances for a person who needs legal protection.
Search McKinley County Probate Records
Probate access uses a channel sweep rather than one single database. New Mexico Case Lookup may show District Court probate cases and some probate case data, especially where the case is part of the court system. re:SearchNM is a registered-user platform that includes probate cases by profile and tier. County informal probate records may still require direct contact with the Probate Judge or Clerk, and contested estate cases should be handled through Gallup District Court.
Public-records contact may also be needed for county probate or county record documents that are not otherwise available online. County administrative records can use the county IPRA form, while court records are judiciary records requested through the court or New Mexico Courts channel. That means the record holder controls the path.
- Determine whether the estate matter is informal and uncontested or contested.
- For informal probate, call the Probate Judge or Clerk at 505-863-6866 for the current appointment schedule and forms.
- For District Court probate case data, search New Mexico Case Lookup by name or case number when the case is public.
- Use re:SearchNM if eligible and registered, especially when documents or tiered court access are needed.
- For contested estates, contact Gallup District Court at 505-863-6816.
- If the county office holds the record and no direct route is available, use the county public-records request process.
McKinley County Probate Court Contacts
The required contact depends on the probate posture. The County Probate Judge is the local contact for informal, uncontested estate work. Gallup District Court handles contested estate cases and related litigation. The County Clerk phone is also the contact line listed for Probate Judge schedule information and appointments.
McKinley County Probate Court
Probate Judge Monica Martinez
207 West Hill Ave.
Gallup, NM 87301
505-863-6866
Fax: 505-863-1419
Schedule varies by month; call the Clerk's Office.
Gallup District Court
207 W. Hill Ave., 2nd Floor Room 200
Gallup, NM 87301
505-863-6816
Contested probate and estate litigation.
McKinley County Probate Process
The probate walkthrough starts with the type of estate. If the estate is informal and uncontested, contact the McKinley County Probate Judge or Clerk for the current schedule, appointment details, and forms. If a will exists, submit it for admission to informal probate. The personal representative applies for informal appointment, and a verified application can lead to an order establishing authority to act for the estate.
Once appointed, the personal representative uses the letters or order to manage estate assets, notify creditors and heirs, prepare an inventory, and close the estate as required. If a dispute arises, the matter shifts toward District Court. New Mexico Courts probate forms include probate guides, proof of authority, informal probate and appointment orders, letters testamentary, notice to creditors, inventory, and Diné probate materials.
- Will admission - The will is submitted for informal probate when the case qualifies.
- Personal representative appointment - The applicant seeks authority to administer the estate.
- Letters or order - The court document proves representative authority.
- Inventory - A probate filing that lists estate assets.
- Contested issue - A dispute that can move the case to District Court.
McKinley County Probate Filing Fees
Official McKinley County probate filing fee line items are not listed in the cited probate office material. For that reason, the fee table does not state exact amounts for original probate filings, letters, certified copies, or guardianship applications. Those amounts should be confirmed with the Probate Judge or Clerk before filing or ordering copies.
| Item | Amount or Source |
|---|---|
| Original probate application | Confirm with McKinley County Probate Judge or Clerk at 505-863-6866. |
| Letters testamentary or administration | Confirm with McKinley County Probate Judge or Clerk. |
| Certified copy | Confirm with the office holding the record, County Probate Court or District Court. |
| Guardianship or conservatorship filing | Confirm with the correct court because access and venue may differ by case type. |
Note: The absence of a listed fee amount is not a waiver of fees; it means the official amount must be confirmed with the office.
What McKinley County Probate Records Show
Probate records may include an application, will, order, letters testamentary or administration, notice to creditors, inventory, final accounting, closing filings, and discharge documents. For informal probate, the key record is often the appointment and authority of the personal representative. For contested probate, the District Court case may include pleadings, motions, orders, hearings, and dispute records.
| Record Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Estate or Case Name | The decedent or estate name used to locate the probate matter. |
| Will | The document submitted for admission to informal probate when one exists. |
| Personal Representative | The person seeking or granted authority to administer the estate. |
| Order or Letters | The court-issued authority used to act for the estate. |
| Inventory | A list of estate assets when required in the probate process. |
| Closing or Discharge | Documents showing later estate administration steps. |
Restricted McKinley County Probate Records
Probate records are not all public in the same way. Rule 1-079 NMRA treats court records as generally public unless sealed by court order or otherwise protected. re:SearchNM includes probate cases in access tiers, but strict-confidentiality categories such as adoption and mental health are not ordinary public access. Guardianship and conservatorship records may include private medical, financial, or protected-person details, so public copies may be limited or redacted.
Protected personal identifiers may be redacted under New Mexico public-record rules. A record that contains protected identifiers is not automatically closed in full, but unredacted protected information is not made available through a public website. For sealed or restricted probate-related records, the route is the court or office holding the record, not a general search portal.
Probate Record Boundaries
Some public sources are useful for other legal questions but do not replace McKinley County probate records. Teen Court, federal inmate searches, and PACER are separate systems. They do not issue County Probate Court orders, letters, or informal appointment records.
The McKinley County Teen Court page describes a local court-related program, but Teen Court is not the County Probate Court.
That distinction keeps estate and personal representative questions with the probate contact rather than a youth diversion program.
The PACER federal records system is for federal court records rather than county informal probate files.
Use PACER only when the needed record is a federal court case, not a county estate appointment or will admission.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator is also separate from McKinley County probate records.
Federal custody information does not show who has authority to administer an estate in McKinley County.