Legal / Estate
Divorce & Legal Appraisal
An independent, well-documented opinion of value designed to support both parties, their attorneys, and the court during asset division.
Situations We Support
Equitable Distribution
A neutral, well-documented opinion of value to support asset division discussions between both parties.
Litigation Support
Independent valuation and documentation prepared to help withstand scrutiny in a contested proceeding.
Retrospective Valuation
An opinion of value as of a specific past date, such as date of marriage or date of separation.
Property Disputes
Independent analysis to help resolve disagreements about a shared property's market value.
A Neutral Starting Point
One independent value both parties can reference — how it's used in equitable distribution is a legal decision.
Illustrative Ownership Split
An independent appraisal establishes one neutral value both parties and their attorneys can use — how any resulting equity is divided is a legal and financial decision, not one the appraiser makes.
Why These Details Matter Here
Getting the Assignment Scope Right
Divorce assignments often call for a specific past effective date — such as the date of marriage or separation — and identifying both parties and their attorneys as intended users up front, so the report is usable by everyone who needs to rely on it.
Intended Use
The purpose the assignment is being performed for — for example, litigation support, estate settlement, a tax appeal, or a private planning decision. It's identified before the work begins because it shapes the scope of the assignment.
Intended User(s)
The specific party or parties identified in the assignment as relying on the report — a client, their attorney, or another named party. A report prepared for one intended use and user isn't automatically appropriate for another.
Effective Date
The date to which the opinion of value applies. For a current-value assignment this is typically the inspection date; for a retrospective assignment (such as a date-of-death valuation) it's a past date, established using historical market data.
Inspection / Observation Date
The date the property is physically observed, when an inspection is part of the assignment. For a retrospective assignment, this is often a current date even though the effective date is in the past.
Report Date
The date the appraisal report itself is completed and signed — which can be well after both the effective date and the inspection date, particularly for retrospective or litigation-support assignments.
For Attorneys
Valuation That Stands Up
We prepare independent, standards-based appraisal reports intended to hold up to scrutiny — documenting our methodology, comparable selection, and reconciliation clearly for your case file.
For Individuals
A Neutral Third Opinion
Going through a divorce is difficult enough without disagreeing on what your home is worth. An independent appraisal gives both sides a fair, unbiased starting point.
Documented, Not Debated
How We Document a Defensible Value
General overview of typical report sections — the exact content and format of your report depends on the specific assignment.
See how property details, comparable sales, adjustments, analysis, and the final value conclusion come together in a professional appraisal report.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal advice, and does not guarantee any outcome in a legal proceeding. Please consult your attorney regarding your specific matter.