Getting Divorced in Santa Monica? Here's Why You Need a Real Estate Divorce Appraiser

A divorce raises a plain question: what is the home worth, and as of when? A written appraisal answers both. It states the value, the valuation date, the comparable sales and the reasoning, and it gives both spouses and their counsel the same evidence. It does not decide the division, and it says nothing about how a court will rule.

California Family Code section 2552 has the court value assets as near as practicable to the time of trial, or at a date after separation and before trial on 30 days' notice and good cause. Spouses and counsel often agree a date, so settle it before ordering. This is general information, not legal advice.

Attorneys use it as a documented starting point in negotiation. Mediators can use it as evidence for discussion, if the engagement provides for that. It does not guarantee that the spouses agree on the value or on the facts. Spouses can read the comparable sales and see what the value rests on. Randy M. Sonns describes his role on his divorce page as a reliable third party who works with the attorney.

Santa Monica is an incorporated city in Los Angeles County. The city explains how to view inspection history using a building permit number and a street number on its inspection history page. A record of past work helps an appraiser understand additions and repairs. It does not set a value, and an appraisal is not a certificate that a building meets code.

Prepare a dated list of improvements and repairs, access to every area, and any earlier appraisal. Agree who should receive the report before the visit.

For the service, see divorce appraisal in Los Angeles, and for the local page see divorce appraiser in Santa Monica. To understand the timing, read why you need an appraisal before a divorce settlement and why hire a divorce appraiser.