Section 42-5-8 - Allocation of costs of partition; definition. - New Mexico Statutes

42-5-8. Allocation of costs of partition; definition.

A.     In the event partition of the cotenancy is made by the commissioners appointed, the costs of partition shall by the court be apportioned among all the cotenants, and the proportion of the costs assessed against each cotenant shall be a lien upon the share of the cotenancy assigned by the commissioners to the cotenant. If partition cannot be made without manifest prejudice to the cotenants and sale of the estate is ordered, the costs of the action shall be apportioned among all the cotenants, and the proportion of the costs assessed against each cotenant shall by the court be deducted and withheld from the distributive share of the proceeds of the sale assigned to the cotenant.   

B.     As used in this section "costs" includes expenses incurred by commissioners, expenses incurred by agents or masters appointed by the court to conduct a sale, costs of survey and other costs incurred in physical partition or in sale which to the court seem just and proper.   

C.     The reasonable attorney fees of a party to an action for partition of a cotenancy may be awarded in the court's discretion, as it may deem just and equitable.