N.M. Stat. § 40-3-10
Priorities for satisfaction of separate debts.
A. The separate debt of a spouse shall be satisfied first from the debtor spouse's
separate property, excluding that spouse's interest in property in which each of the
spouses owns an undivided equal interest as a joint tenant or tenant in common. Should
such property be insufficient, then the debt shall be satisfied from the debtor spouse's
one-half interest in the community property or in property in which each spouse owns an
undivided equal interest as a joint tenant or tenant in common, excluding the residence
of the spouses. Should such property be insufficient, then the debt shall be satisfied
from the debtor spouse's interest in the residence of the spouses, except as provided in
Subsection B of this section or Section 42-10-9 NMSA 1978. Neither spouse's interest
in community property or separate property shall be liable for the separate debt of the
other spouse.
B. Unless both spouses join in writing in the creation of the underlying debt or
obligation incurred after the marriage, a judgment or other process arising out of such
post-marital debt against one spouse alone or both spouses shall not create a lien or
otherwise be subject to execution against the interest of the nonjoining spouse in the
marital residence, whether held by the spouses as community property, joint tenants or
tenants in common.
C. The priorities or exemptions established in this section for the satisfaction of a
separate debt must be claimed by either spouse under the procedure set forth in
Section 42-10-13 NMSA 1978, or the right to claim such priorities or exemptions is
waived as between a spouse and the creditor.
D. This section shall apply only while both spouses are living and shall not apply to
the satisfaction of debts after the death of one or both spouses.