Appraisal service
Divorce Appraisal in Los Angeles
Randy M. Sonns prepares a divorce appraisal in Los Angeles that gives spouses, attorneys and mediators one written value of the family home, tied to a stated valuation date. Use it when a home must be bought out, sold or divided and both sides need the same number to work from.
Who it helps
Who needs a divorce appraisal
A divorce appraisal fits the moment a home stops being a shared residence and becomes an asset to divide. The usual situations are:
One spouse buying out the other
and needing a documented value to discuss as a starting point, whether or not both sides accept it.
A couple selling the home
and wanting a documented value before choosing a list price.
An attorney
who needs a neutral value to bring into negotiation.
A mediator
who wants one dated written value to discuss. It is evidence for the conversation, not a guarantee that the spouses agree.
Randy describes his role on the divorce page as a reliable third party who works with the attorney. The report states a value and a date. It does not decide who keeps the home, and it says nothing about how a court will rule.
At a glance
What the appraisal includes
| Element | What it states |
|---|---|
| Valuation date | The date the value applies to, agreed in advance |
| Parties and counsel | Who ordered the report and who receives it |
| Property access | How and when the property was inspected |
| Comparable sales | Recent sales of similar homes and how they differ |
| Limiting conditions | What the conclusion depends on |
Agreeing the valuation date and the recipients before the visit is the most useful step you can take. It prevents the common problem of two parties holding values for different dates.
How it works
How the process works
Either spouse or an attorney can start the request. You agree the valuation date and who will receive the report, then arrange access to the property. Randy inspects the home's condition, upgrades, layout and site, reviews recent comparable sales and trends, prepares the written report, and delivers it electronically. Questions about the report can go to Randy through the contact details, so ask at ordering what follow-up is included.
Because the value may be discussed in mediation, keep the information you give him factual and complete. A dated list of improvements and repairs saves time and keeps the discussion on the evidence.
Official guidance
What the sources say
California Family Code section 2550 provides that, absent agreement or a stipulation, the court divides the community estate equally. Section 2552 provides that the court values assets and liabilities as near as practicable to the time of trial, and that on 30 days' notice and good cause it may value them at a date after separation and before trial. In practice this means the valuation date is a decision to settle with counsel before you order. The appraisal fits into that choice, and none of this is legal advice.
Who pays for the appraisal in a divorce?
The engagement terms decide who pays for a divorce appraisal, and they are usually agreed between the spouses or set by their attorneys before the order is placed. Ask Randy about the arrangement when you request a quote, and settle it before the visit so neither side is surprised by the fee.
Who chooses the appraiser?
Often both sides agree on the appraiser, or their attorneys do. A jointly accepted choice is easier for both spouses to rely on than a value only one of them requested. Raise the question with your attorney before you order a divorce appraisal, and tell Randy who has agreed.
What valuation date is used?
The date you agree with counsel, stated on the first page of the report. California Family Code section 2552 has the court value assets as near as practicable to trial or, on notice and good cause, at a date after separation, so settle the divorce appraisal date early.
Will both parties receive the report?
Delivery is agreed in the engagement. Intended users, who may rely on the report, and actual recipients can differ, so say who should receive a copy of the divorce appraisal when you order. In a divorce that often means both spouses and counsel, but the engagement decides.
How is a divorce appraisal different from a sale appraisal?
A sale appraisal states a current value for a transaction. A divorce appraisal states a value at an agreed date for people on both sides of a dispute, so the date and the recipients matter more. Tell Randy it is a divorce appraisal so the report names the right users.
Do you work with attorneys and mediators?
Randy's divorce page says he works closely with your attorney. If a mediator should see the divorce appraisal, say so when you order, because delivery is agreed in the engagement. Ask what follow-up questions about the report are included before you decide to order.
Next step
Get a divorce appraisal quote
Get a Divorce Appraisal Quote and give Randy the property address, the valuation date and who should receive the report. Call (310) 429-3569 Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Closed on Sunday.