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Torrance County resolves money disputes up to $10,000 in the small-claims court: simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
Below is what you need for a small claims case in Torrance County: the limit, filing fees, which courthouse to use, how to serve the other side, your deadlines, and how to file. When you're ready, Squabble prepares everything and files it for you.
Torrance County hears small claims at the courthouse listed here, with the venue confirmed at filing from the defendant's address or the location of the dispute.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Confirm the courthouse before you file. The court's own small-claims page carries its current filing location and hours, and Squabble confirms the courthouse for your case when you file.
About 15,986 people live in Torrance County. Small claims filings from Torrance County are handled at Torrance County Magistrate Court: Moriarty in Moriarty.
This court takes small-claims filings on paper, in person or by mail. Squabble prepares everything so your packet arrives filing-ready.
Small claims are heard at the courthouse, in person.
Two sets of evidence are needed, one for the judge and one for the other side, and some courts also take it electronically in advance.
Residents of Torrance County, New Mexico, who wish to file a small claims case do so through the New Mexico Magistrate Court, which handles claims up to $10,000. The county has one location for these matters, the Torrance County Magistrate Court: Moriarty, located at 1100 U.S. Rt. 66 in Moriarty, 87035, and reachable at (505) 832-4476. The court is open Monday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and is closed Saturday and Sunday. This single courthouse serves a county population of 15,986 spread across communities including Cedarvale, Clines Corners, Encino, Estancia, Mcintosh, Moriarty, Mountainair, Torreon, and Willard, covering ZIP codes such as 87009, 87016, 87032, 87036, 87061, 87063, 87070, and 88321. Torrance County lies near Bernalillo County, Valencia County, and Santa Fe County. Electronic filing is not available for these cases, so filings are handled at the courthouse itself during the hours listed above.
A case filed here usually comes from one of these 9 communities:
Cedarvale, Clines Corners, Encino, Estancia, Mcintosh, Moriarty, Mountainair, Torreon, Willard.
ZIP codes:
Torrance County is the 22nd most populous of New Mexico's 33 counties, with about 15,986 residents. Torrance County Magistrate Court: Moriarty in Moriarty lies around 17 miles from the Bernalillo County courthouse in Albuquerque and 23 miles from the Santa Fe County courthouse in Santa Fe.
If the other side lives just over the county line, the case may belong next door:
Small claims handles money owed between ordinary people and businesses. Procedure is kept light, and claims are capped.
Maximum claim
The county where it happened and the county where they live are both generally available.
Splitting a single claim across multiple filings to dodge the ceiling is not permitted.
A small-claims judge generally orders one side to pay money; other kinds of orders belong in higher courts.
New Mexico allows attorneys at the hearing, but none is required. The procedures are designed for self-representation.
A claim involving a minor is brought by a court-appointed guardian.
Over the limit? A claim above the ceiling can be trimmed to fit, or filed in full in the ordinary civil court. Trimming generally means writing off the remainder.
They are the same across all 9 Torrance County ZIP codes, from 87009 onward. Torrance County Magistrate Court: Moriarty is the courthouse listed for Torrance County.
Small claims exists for money owed, up to $10,000. The categories below come up more than any others.
Torrance County takes in Cedarvale, Clines Corners and Encino and the rest of the county. Torrance County Magistrate Court: Moriarty is the Torrance County courthouse listed below.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Prepare the claim form, work out which court covers it, and pay the court's charge.
Papers are delivered to the defendant, who may answer them or settle the matter first.
A brief, informal hearing, in person or, where the court offers it, by video. The judge rules at the hearing or sends the decision after.
Torrance County Magistrate Court: Moriarty publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page. Torrance County Magistrate Court: Moriarty lists (505) 832-4476 as its number.
After you file, the other party must be formally notified. This is called service of process. You generally cannot serve the papers yourself.
Depending on the court: the sheriff or constable, a professional process server, the clerk by certified mail, or another adult who isn't part of the case. Methods and costs vary by county.
Every court fixes a minimum number of days between service and the hearing. The clerk will tell you what it is for your case.
After delivery, the server fills out a proof of service, and that goes on the court file before the hearing.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
Addresses in Torrance County include places such as Cedarvale, Clines Corners and Encino. Bernalillo County and Valencia County are the counties nearest to Torrance County.
You have a limited window to file, measured from when the dispute arose. File after it closes and your claim can be barred.
| Claim type | How long you have |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral contract | 4 years |
| Property damage | 4 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years |
Torrance County, population about 15,986, is covered by the table above. They do not change from one Torrance County ZIP code to another, 87009 included.
Money owed under a contract in New Mexico generally accrues interest at 8.75% per year before judgment (N.M. Stat. §56-8-4).
The Squabble interest calculator shows what the accrued figure comes to on top of the principal.
It is the same rate across all 9 Torrance County ZIP codes. The rate above is the one for Torrance County, population about 15,986.
Check that the amount is within the limit and that you're inside the statute of limitations for your claim type.
Use the other side's correct legal name, describe the dispute, and show how the money adds up.
File with the Torrance County small-claims court on paper, by mail or at the counter, and pay the $25–$75 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
After the hearing date is issued, arrange delivery of the papers and file the proof with the court.
Organize documents and exhibits so you can present them clearly at the hearing.
Attend the hearing, in person or by video if that is offered, make your case, and receive the outcome.
Describe the dispute to Eleanor. Squabble drafts the paperwork, puts it through a Triple-Check™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and lodges it with the court.
Start for FREE →Claim form starts the case · Proof of service shows the defendant was notified · Fee waiver if you qualify. Exact form names vary by court; Squabble prepares the right ones for your courthouse.
Torrance County has a population of about 15,986. Torrance County takes in filings from 9 ZIP codes, 87009 first in the list.
Hearings are short and plainly run. Questions come from the judge, and most parties appear without help.
Torrance County Magistrate Court: Moriarty sits at the 87035 address shown above. Cedarvale, Clines Corners and Encino are among the Torrance County places a hearing can draw parties from.
A judgment says what is owed. Getting hold of the money is the next stage, and the enforcement options open to you depend on the state.
Where the law allows, an employer can be directed to send part of the debtor's pay to the court.
Funds can be collected directly from the debtor's bank account through a court-ordered levy.
Lodging the judgment with the county can create a lien over property the debtor owns.
You can also ask the court to order the debtor to appear and disclose income and assets under oath. An unpaid judgment generally keeps accruing interest at the rate state law sets until it's satisfied.
Cedarvale, Clines Corners and Encino are among the Torrance County places a judgment debtor may live in. Bernalillo County and Valencia County are the counties nearest to Torrance County.
Last checked in August 2026. Court fees, limits and procedures move; verify them with the court first.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Torrance County case for you.
