N.M. Stat. § 66-3-105
Transfer by operation of law.
A. Whenever the title or interest of an owner in or to a registered vehicle shall pass
to another by operation of law, as upon inheritance, bequest, order in bankruptcy or
insolvency, execution sale, repossession upon default in performance in the terms of a
lease or executory sales contract, or otherwise than by voluntary transfer, the transferee
shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
B. Notice of transfer by operation of law shall be signed by the executor,
administrator, receiver, trustee, sheriff or other representative or successor in interest of
the owner of the vehicle. The registration certificate and plate shall be delivered to the
registered owner upon such notification or shall be removed by the transferee upon
repossession, and submitted to the division for cancellation.
C. The transferee, except as provided in Subsection D of this section, shall secure a
transfer of registration to himself and a new certificate of title upon proper application
and upon presentation of the last certificate of title, if available, and such instruments or
documents of authority, or certified copies thereof, as may be sufficient or required by
law to evidence or effect a transfer of title or interest in or to chattels in such case.
D. When the transferee does not operate or permit the operation of such vehicle
upon the highways, or when the transferee operates such vehicle only for the purposes
of immediate delivery, demonstration or resale to another person, the transferee shall
display upon such vehicle a temporary permit issued to such vehicle by the division.
The transferee shall not be required to secure a transfer of registration or a new
certificate of title, but upon his transfer of title or interest to another person, he shall
execute an assignment and warranty of title upon the certificate of title previously
issued, if available, and deliver the same, along with the documents of authority or
certified copies thereof as may be sufficient or required by law to evidence the rights of
such person, to the person to whom such transfer is made.