A. In determining under Subsection A of Section 8 [42-5A-8 NMSA 1978] of the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act whether partition in kind would result in manifest prejudice to the cotenants as a group, the court shall consider the following:

(1) whether the heirs property practicably can be divided among the cotenants, including whether portions of the property once divided would be of sufficient size, and have adequate access and legal rights, to serve intended uses;

(2) whether partition in kind would apportion the property in such a way that the aggregate fair market value of the parcels resulting from the division would be materially less than the value of the property if it were sold as a whole, taking into account the condition under which a court-ordered sale likely would occur;

(3) evidence of the collective duration of ownership or possession of the property by a cotenant and one or more predecessors in title or predecessors in possession to the cotenant who are or were relatives of the cotenant or each other;

(4) a cotenant's sentimental attachment to the property, including any attachment arising because the property has ancestral or other unique or special value to the cotenant;

(5) the lawful use being made of the property by a cotenant and the degree to which the cotenant would be harmed if the cotenant could not continue the same use of the property;

(6) the degree to which the cotenants have contributed their pro rata share of the property taxes, insurance and other expenses associated with maintaining ownership of the property or have contributed to the physical improvement, maintenance or upkeep of the property; and

(7) any other relevant factor.

B. The court shall not consider any one factor in Subsection A of this section to be dispositive without weighing the totality of all relevant factors and circumstances.

C. The court shall not partition property in a manner that would result in subdivision of the property that would not otherwise be allowable under valid covenants and restrictions or applicable law.

History: Laws 2017, ch. 41, § 9.

Effective dates. — Laws 2017, ch. 41, § 21 made Laws 2017, ch. 41, § 9 effective January 1, 2018.