New Mexico · Contractor dispute
Contractor dispute in New Mexico small claims
Contractor didn't finish or won't refund? Sue in small claims.
When a contractor takes a deposit and disappears, leaves a job unfinished, or does work that causes damage, small claims court is often the right venue to recover your money. You do not need a lawyer. Your case rests on your contract or estimate, proof of payment, documentation of what was promised, and evidence of what was actually delivered — or not delivered.
In New Mexico, small-claims cases are heard in the Magistrate Court (Metropolitan Court in Bernalillo County) and you can sue for up to $10,000.
Good to know: New Mexico has no court named small claims court. Civil money claims up to $10,000 go to the Magistrate Court (in 32 of 33 counties) or, in Bernalillo County, the Metropolitan Court. Both use the same statewide civil forms (Civil Complaint 4-201 for magistrate, 4-202 for Metro).
Contractor dispute: steps that matter
- Gather your written contract, estimate, or text messages showing what was agreed, and keep all receipts and payment records.
- Document the incomplete or defective work with photos and, if possible, a written assessment from another contractor.
- Send a written demand to the contractor stating what you are owed and a deadline to respond, and keep proof you sent it.
- File in the court for the county where the contractor operated or where the work was done, and bring every document to the hearing.
- If the contractor holds a license, check your state's licensing board — a complaint there may run parallel to your court case.
Filing your Civil Complaint (Form 4-201) in New Mexico
- Complete the Civil Complaint. Fill out the Civil Complaint (Form 4-201 magistrate, 4-202 Metro) stating proper venue, the amount claimed (up to $10,000), and a brief description of the event. Forms are free at nmcourts.gov.
- File with the clerk and pay the fee. File with the magistrate or metropolitan court clerk for the county where the defendant is or the claim arose, and pay the $72 docket fee (NMSA 35-6-1; Metro adds a $5 mediation fee). A fee waiver is available for indigency.
- Have the summons issued and served. Get a Civil Summons (Form 4-204) from the clerk. The summons, complaint, and answer form are served on the defendant by a sheriff or any uninvolved adult over 18. File the return of service.
- Wait for the defendant's response. The defendant has 20 days after service to file an answer. If none is filed, you may ask for a default judgment.
- Attend the trial. If the defendant answers, the court sets a trial. Bring your evidence, documents, and witnesses.
Filing fees: The civil docket fee is set by statute at $72 (NMSA 1978, 35-6-1), the same in magistrate and metropolitan courts and not county-set. The Metro Court adds a $5 small-claims mediation fee. A fee waiver is available on a showing of indigency.
Deadline that applies to your contractor dispute
A contractor dispute is typically a contract claim — you hired someone, paid them (or they want payment), and the work was not done or not done properly. The contract statute of limitations is the usual deadline to file, though some claims may also involve property damage. Confirm which category applies to your situation with the court.
Written contract: 6 years (NMSA 1978, Section 37-1-3)
Answering a lawsuit: 20 days after the summons is served.
Serving the defendant: The Civil Summons, complaint, and answer form are served by a sheriff or any non-party adult over 18, by personal delivery, by leaving them with someone over 15 at the defendant's home, or by posting plus mailing. A signed return of service is then filed.
Appeals: Either party may appeal to the district court within 15 days of the judgment being filed. The appeal is a trial de novo; the district court filing fee is $132.
All New Mexico small-claims deadlines
The table below lists the filing deadlines Magistrate Court (Metropolitan Court in Bernalillo County) applies by claim category. Confirm the exact rule that applies to your contractor dispute claim with your court before relying on any figure.
| Claim type | Filing deadline |
|---|---|
| Written contract (NMSA 1978, Section 37-1-3) | 6 years |
| Oral contract / debt (unwritten contract or account) (NMSA 1978, Section 37-1-4) | 4 years |
| Property damage (NMSA 1978, Section 37-1-4) | 4 years |
| Personal injury (NMSA 1978, Section 37-1-8) | 3 years |
New Mexico small-claims forms for your contractor dispute case
These forms are published by the Magistrate Court (Metropolitan Court in Bernalillo County). Download and complete them before filing.
- Form 4-201 Civil Complaint (Magistrate Court): The complaint that starts a small civil claim in magistrate court; states the parties, amount claimed, and basis of the claim.
- Form 4-204 Civil Summons: Notifies the defendant of the lawsuit and the 20-day deadline to respond; served with the complaint and answer form. Includes the return-of-service section.
- Form 4-301 Answer to Civil Complaint (Magistrate Court): The defendant's response form; plaintiffs should be familiar with it since a copy must accompany the summons served on the defendant.
- Form 4-202 Civil Complaint (Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, CV-001): The complaint used to start a small civil claim in Bernalillo County (Albuquerque) Metropolitan Court instead of magistrate court.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and CaseBySelf is not a law firm. Rules, fees, and deadlines change and vary by court: verify with the specific court where you file. Source: New Mexico Courts: Civil Forms and Files. Last reviewed 2026-06-24.