Topics for Mediation & Arbitration
- Development of an initial parenting plan with timesharing and provisions for the working details such as: holiday timeshare, child exchanges, and travel with the children.
- Reworking of an existing parenting plan to account for changed circumstances such as: maturity of the children, changes in the parental homes, changes in child needs, or issues related to parent healthcare or behaviors.
- Dealing with or planning for unique issues in parenting or coparenting, such as: child special needs, parent or child health issues, special education accommodations, or unique child desires.
- Parent relocation outside central New Mexico.
- Dealing with a child’s rejection of a parent or other household members.
Engagement & Processes
- By email or telephone, the purpose of seeking mediation and/or arbitration is discussed with both parents (or the attorneys for both) to assure that mediation and/or arbitration are appropriate.
- Consent to mediate and/or arbitrate is obtained from both parents or their legal counsels plus a list of topics for mediation/arbitration must be agreed upon. Also acceptable is a court order specifying that mediation on a specified list of topics is to occur, with or without a stipulation for arbitration.
- Prior to any initial mediation session, Dr. Zieman will request documentation to review (such as the current parenting plan) and/or completion of one or more background forms.
- Mediation and arbitration sessions are typically held in set blocks of time with Dr. Zieman ranging from 2 to 4 hours. With advance notice, attorneys for each parent may be present and involved in the negotiations.
- Sessions may be done in-person or via video, but there is always a preference by Dr. Zieman for in-person sessions.
NOTE:
- Dr. Zieman does not mediate or arbitrate regarding topics of spousal support, tax-related matters, or joint property/debt settlement.
- Regarding child support, Dr. Zieman will assist parties in coming to agreements, but he will not calculate child support amounts for parents.
Fees
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
- All services are billed at the rate of $230 per hour.
- Mediation and arbitration services are not healthcare services, and therefore healthcare insurance is not applicable.
- Fee retainers for specific tasks or blocks of time may be requested, such as for the initial document review, blocks of planned service time, or document writing by Dr. Zieman.
- Acceptable are split fee arrangements, such as one parent paying X% and the other parent paying Y%.
- Cash, personal check, and card payments (debit and credit) are all excepted.
