Estate & Legal
Business vs. Personal Residence: Valuation Boundaries
Two very different valuation disciplines can come up in the same divorce or estate matter — here's where the line is.
In divorce and estate matters, it's common to need more than one kind of value — but a residential appraiser's scope stops firmly at real property.
Where the Scope Draws the Line
What a Residential Appraiser Values
A licensed residential appraiser develops an independent opinion of a home's market value — the real property itself, including the land and improvements.
What a Business Valuation Covers
A business's value involves entirely different methods — earnings, cash flow, goodwill, market comparables for businesses — and requires a business valuation specialist (such as a CVA or ABV-credentialed professional), not a residential appraiser.
Where the Two Can Intersect
A property used partly for business (a home office, an accessory structure used commercially, or a mixed-use property) may need both a residential appraisal for the real estate and a separate business valuation for the business itself.
Why This Distinction Matters in Legal Matters
Attorneys building out a full picture of marital or estate assets often need to engage separate professionals for each asset type. Being clear about which value comes from which professional — and what each one is (and isn't) qualified to say — keeps the overall valuation process credible.
What Georgia Valuation Source Provides
We provide independent residential real property appraisals only. We do not provide business valuation services — for a business, professional practice, or its goodwill, your attorney can refer you to a qualified business valuation specialist.
What This Does Not Mean
This isn't a claim that we offer, coordinate, or oversee business valuation services — we don't. It's a clarification of scope so you know what to expect from a residential appraisal versus what requires a different kind of professional entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Consult your attorney to identify the right professionals for your specific case.