A. The person named in the will as personal representative or trustee is entitled to serve, if qualified, as personal representative or trustee.
B. If a qualified person is not named in the will as personal representative, or the named person is incapacitated, unwilling to serve or dead, and a qualified alternate is not named in the will, priority for appointment as personal representative is determined by the law of the state of decedent's domicile at death.
C. If a qualified person is not named in the will as trustee, or the named person is incapacitated, unwilling to serve or dead, and a qualified alternate is not named in the will, the personal representative may appoint, without court approval, a qualified person, including a person serving as personal representative, to serve as trustee.
D. If a personal representative or trustee resigns, is removed, becomes incapacitated or dies, the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse or the surviving spouse is unable or unwilling to act, a majority of the adult children of the testator may appoint a qualified successor personal representative or trustee.
E. In all other cases, personal representatives and trustees must be appointed by the court.
History: Laws 1991, ch. 173, ยง 13.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 45 - Uniform Probate Code
Article 2A - Uniform Statutory Will Act
Section 45-2A-1 - Short title.
Section 45-2A-2 - Definitions.
Section 45-2A-3 - Making statutory will.
Section 45-2A-4 - Incorporation by reference.
Section 45-2A-5 - Shares under statutory will.
Section 45-2A-6 - Share of spouse.
Section 45-2A-7 - Trust for spouse and issue.
Section 45-2A-8 - Shares of heirs when no surviving spouse.
Section 45-2A-9 - Trust if child under specified age.
Section 45-2A-10 - Effect of disability at distribution.
Section 45-2A-11 - Powers of appointment.
Section 45-2A-13 - Appointment of personal representative and trustee.
Section 45-2A-15 - Bond or surety.
Section 45-2A-16 - Uniformity of application and construction.