Sergio Pareja (New Mexico School of Law) and Sophie Rane recently published Uneven Ground: a New Mexico Case Study of Rural Estate Planning and Probate Inequity, 2026. Provided below is the Abstract:
While existing scholarship has explored the general access-to-justice gap in rural areas, and other empirical studies have examined estate planning and probate trends at the national or urban level, little research has focused specifically on the intersection of these issues. This grant-funded empirical study takes a step towards addressing that gap. Drawing on a comprehensive dataset of probate and property records across three New Mexico counties, we examine the functions probate serves in rural communities, assess the effects of limited access to estate planning and probate services, and consider potential reforms to promote the effective transfer of wealth for rural community members.
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