I. Psychologist Background
II. Process of a Custody Evaluation
Each family situation is unique, and therefore evaluations must often be customized. However,
the majority of evaluations follow the outline shown below.
a. Personal and family history forms are mailed out in advance for return at the first appointment.
b. An individual interview (usually 2 hours long) is held to discuss the history of the family as well as to understand the current issues.
c. Testing is done with each parent or parent figure. Each adult must complete the Millon Multiaxial Clinical Inventory. In some situations other tests are requested.
d. A second interview is used to finish history gathering and discuss the parent's ideas about what future parenting plan will be in the child(ren)'s best interests.
e. Relevant collateral sources such as therapists or previous spouses, are contacted. Character witnesses, like personal friends, are not interviewed.
f. In some cases durign the later stages of the evaluation, both parents are interviewed together to assess their future ability to communicate and cooperate.
a. For each child the parents complete a history form and a behavioral rating scale.
b. Each household is visited to initially meet the child(ren) and observe the family interacting. For families living outside central New Mexico, other arrangements for meeting the child(ren) and observing the family are made.
c. Each child, usually age 6 and older, is seen in the office for age-appropriate interviewing, and observation.
d. Major adults who see the children daily, such as teachers and daycare providers, are interviewed or asked to complete behavioral rating scales.
III. Parenting Plan Recommendations
a. A Family Psychological Evaluation report which gives a summary of the findings and conclusions about the family and the child(ren)'s needs
b. A Recommended Parenting Plan which outlines recommendations to the Court and parents regarding legal custody, timesharing and parental communication. Note that the parenting plan never addresses financial issues such as child or parental support.
a. Once the evaluation is completed, the attorneys and Dr Zieman meet. Copies of the reports are given to each attorney. Usually the attorneys provide copies to the Court.
b. If parents wish to hear the results of the evaluation directly, a conference with both parents is set up.
c. After the reports are given to the attorneys, questions by parents about the evaluations and recommendations are answered, with the questions and answers shared with all parties.
IV. Fees (all subject to NM Gross Receipts Tax)
a. Each Parent - $1,800 ($2,000 if without a lawyer and representing themselves Pro Se)
b. Each Stepparent/Stepparent Figure - $1000
c. First Child or Adolescent - $1,400, each additional child $1100
d. First Infant/Preschooler (not yet in kindergarten) - $1100, each additional Preschooler - $900
a. Families living outside Albuquerque but in central New Mexico (for example: Los Lunas, Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Rio Rancho) to cover the added driving costs and time to the home visit
b. Services (especially home visits) on Saturday, Sunday or after 6:00 pm
c. When an interim timesharing plan must be developed during the evaluation
d. Document pages to review are greater than 50 pages per parent
e. Sources to telephone interview are greater than 1.5 times the number of family members in the evaluation
f. There is a Guardian ad Litum (GAL) appointed for the children
g. Appointments canelled or missed without 24 business hours notice for 30-60 minute appointments, and without 48 business hours notice for appointments of 90 minutes or longer.
Fifty percent of each parent's financially responsible portion is due at the first appointment. At the last appointment the remaining 50% is due. Reports and conclusions are delayed pending full payment. MasterCard, Discover and VISA credit cards are accepted.
After the completion of the evaluation, if consultations, depositions, or a court appearance are needed, they are billed as follows with payment due in advance:
$190/hr., $95/half hr., $55/qtr hr.
a. $500 for 2 hrs or less, $1000 for half day ( 4 hrs or less), $2,000 for full day (4 to 8 hrs); includes preparation for testimony, but not pre-testimony meetings with attorneys
b. Travel time, mileage nad parking fees are due in addition for court outside Bernalillo County
c. Court appearances/ depositions are usually paid for by the parent requesting them.
d. Fifty percent is due if a deposition or court appearance is canceled with less than 2.5 full business days notice.
All Information effective as of 1 September 2009.