San Miguel County Probate Judge
Judges in probate courts handle the procedures governing the distribution of a decedent’s property in less complicated cases. (More complicated cases are handled by state District Court judges.). Term: Four years; no term limits.
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DWIGHT JAMES TORRES
(Dem)
1. Describe the specific legal training and knowledge that have prepared you for the office of Probate Judge.
2. What changes, if any, would you make to the functioning of the Probate Court?
3. How can you educate the public about the court’s processes?
4. What other information would you like voters to know about you?
Campaign Phone
5054902618
Filing County
San Miguel
I did not have any legal training prior to being appointed Probate Judge for San Miguel County. I do have a degree in Mortuary Science which did include one semester class on what probate is, how it works and briefly discussed some legal terms and processes of probate. After being appointed Probate Judge, I have taken various trainings in filling out and guiding constituents on the probate forms and process. We are also required to take an annual training once a year to keep abreast of all probate rules and law.
I have worked on previous legislation to change a few state statutes within probate to stop legislation from doing away with all probate judges in New Mexico. Worked on legislation that allows probate judges to cover for other probate judges in another county when that judge is unavailable or unable to perform their duties. Currently I am working with other county elected officials from throughout the state to review and update state statutes for all elected county seats. Any changes to the state statutes will be presented in the 2027 legislative session.
The best way to educate the public in probate, is by hosting annual or semi-annual workshops, where the probate judge and others explain the process, the rules and laws of probate, and provide guidance in filling out the probate forms. This can be done in coordination with the local senior centers, or other locations throughout individual counties.
I have served as San Miguel County Probate Judge since January 1, 2019, and have worked hard to serve and guide the constituents of San Miguel County in the probate process. This guidance has come in handy especially with the recent uptick in FEMA claims filed in San Miguel County in the past 3 years. I am one of about less that 10 out of the 33 probate judges in New Mexico that is in the office 4 mornings per week. In the past 3 years I have helped well over five hundred constituents with probate in order to help get their FEMA claims processed. I collaborated with FEMA in providing five probate workshops. I am easily accessible by appointment to help guide individuals in the probate process.
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