Divorce & Partner Dissolution Appraisals in Los Angeles

Counsel defines the division question

Family Code section 2550 provides for equal division of the community estate in dissolution or legal separation, with the exceptions stated in the section. It does not itself require an appraisal or direct how this particular building must be divided. Partnership dissolution is a separate matter; provide the relevant ownership agreement.

Separate the property from each owner's interest

For a Glendale medical office building with multiple owners or leased shops, identify the title interests, leases, debts described by counsel, and the effective date requested. A report on the entire real estate is not automatically an appraisal of each party's entity interest. Confirm who may receive the report in the engagement.

Confirm the valuation date with counsel

Family Code section 2552(a) directs valuation as near as practicable to trial. Under subsection (b), on 30 days' notice and good cause, the court may use a date after separation and before trial. The section does not automatically set the date at separation or itself require an appraisal.

Divorce & Partner Dissolution Appraisals in Los Angeles

Neutral, independent commercial property valuations for equitable distribution

Independent Valuations for Fair Property Division

When significant commercial real estate is at stake, the quality of the appraisal matters tremendously. Our USPAP-compliant valuations provide the credible, well-documented evidence of value that supports settlement negotiations, mediation proceedings, and court determinations. We understand the sensitive nature of these matters and conduct our work with discretion and professionalism.

Our Role in Divorce and Dissolution Matters

The Benefits of a Single Neutral Appraiser

In many divorce and dissolution cases, the parties agree to retain a single appraiser who will serve as a neutral expert. This approach offers several advantages: it reduces overall costs by avoiding duplicate appraisals, it eliminates the battle of competing experts, and it provides a single opinion of value that both parties have agreed to accept. Courts often encourage or require this approach for property valuation.

When engaged as a neutral appraiser, we are equally accountable to both parties and completely independent from either side's interests. We communicate evenhandedly with both parties and their counsel, and we provide the same information to both sides. Our sole objective is to determine the fair market value of the property as of the specified valuation date.

Party-Retained Appraisals

In contested cases, each party may retain their own appraiser. When we are engaged by one party, we maintain our objectivity and independence while serving as an advocate for our opinion of value. We prepare thoroughly documented appraisals that can withstand scrutiny from the opposing party's expert and cross-examination at trial if necessary.

We understand that in adversarial proceedings, our work product will be carefully reviewed by sophisticated opposing experts. We prepare every appraisal with this understanding, ensuring that our methodology is sound, our data is accurate, and our conclusions are well-supported. We never sacrifice our professional standards to reach a value that favors the retaining party.

Partnership Dissolution Valuations

Business partnership dissolutions involving commercial real estate require the same careful, independent valuation approach as divorce matters. Whether partners are amicably separating, one partner is buying out another, or disputes have escalated to litigation, our appraisals provide the objective evidence of value that fair resolution requires.

Partnership agreements sometimes specify valuation procedures, methodologies, or specific provisions that must be followed. We review applicable agreements and ensure our appraisals comply with any specific requirements. When agreements are ambiguous or silent on valuation matters, we apply standard appraisal methodologies that courts recognize and accept.

Valuation Dates and Retrospective Appraisals

Retrospective appraisals require researching market conditions, comparable data, and economic factors that existed on the valuation date. We maintain access to historical data sources and apply the same rigorous methodology to retrospective assignments that we use for current valuations.

Expert Witness Services

Effective expert testimony begins with a thorough, well-documented appraisal. We prepare for potential testimony from the outset, ensuring that our work files contain the data, analysis, and documentation that support our conclusions. When testimony is required, we prepare carefully and present our opinions with confidence.

Confidentiality and Discretion

We understand that divorce and partnership dissolution matters involve sensitive personal and financial information. We maintain strict confidentiality regarding all assignment details, communicating only with authorized parties and their counsel. Our procedures protect client privacy while meeting professional and legal requirements for documentation and disclosure.

Need a Divorce or Dissolution Appraisal?

Contact us today to discuss your valuation needs confidentially.

What to gather before calling

You do not need every document to start. Use the Los Angeles County Assessor mapping guidance to identify the AIN and reconcile address aliases. The Assessor's maps are not surveys or legal descriptions, and an assessed value is not an appraisal conclusion.

From the first call to the report

1. Describe the commercial asset and the divorce or partnership context.
2. Confirm with counsel the interest, date, client, and intended users.
3. Agree on scope and engagement terms and arrange records and access.
4. Kevin develops the independent value analysis for the agreed assignment.
5. Receive the report; counsel and the parties address its use in the proceeding.