What a divorce appraiser does
A divorce appraiser values the family home and states the value, the date it applies to and the evidence behind it. Randy M. Sonns describes the role on his divorce page as a reliable third party who works with your attorney. The report does not decide who keeps the home. It gives the spouses and their counsel a common starting point.
Who chooses and who pays
The engagement terms decide, and they are usually agreed between the spouses or set by their attorneys. A jointly agreed order is easier for both sides to rely on than a value that only one side requested. Raise the arrangement before you order.
What each party receives
Intended users, who may rely on the report, and actual recipients are agreed in the engagement and are not always the same. Decide in advance whether both spouses and both attorneys will receive a copy.
Have ready
An ordering checklist
Checklist
- The property address and how access will be arranged.
- The valuation date, agreed with counsel or set by the court.
- The intended users and the recipients.
- The purpose, such as negotiation, buyout or mediation.
- Any documents about improvements or earlier appraisals.
Official guidance
Why the date comes first
California Family Code section 2552 has the court value assets and liabilities 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. Because the date can be chosen, settle it before the visit. This is general information, and your attorney can tell you how it applies.
For the service, see divorce appraisal in Los Angeles. To see why timing matters, read why you need an appraisal before a divorce settlement, and to see how attorneys use the report, read how family law attorneys use a divorce appraisal.
Frequently asked questions
Can one spouse order the appraisal alone?
Yes, but the other side may not accept a report they did not help arrange. Ask counsel.
Does the appraiser take sides?
The role as Randy describes it is a third party. Ask any appraiser how independence is handled in the engagement.
How long before the settlement should I order?
Early enough that the report is ready for negotiation. Ask the appraiser for the schedule.
What does the report cost?
It depends on the property. Ask for a quote with the property details.