What Questions To Ask An Appraisal Firm During Divorce Proceedings?

During a divorce, you want to confirm that the appraiser is qualified, neutral, understands divorce-specific requirements, and produces a report your lawyer and the court can rely on. The questions below are grouped so you can use them as a checklist in consultations.

Credentials and Divorce Experience

• Are you licensed or certified in this state, and is your license currently in good standing?
• How many divorce or family-law-related appraisals have you completed in the past year or two?
• Do you hold any professional designations (for example, from state boards or national appraisal organizations)?
• How often have your appraisals been used in divorce cases that went to mediation, arbitration, or trial?

Neutrality and Role in the Case

• Have you worked for either my spouse, their lawyer, or their real estate agent before?
• Are you willing to act as a neutral, jointly engaged appraiser for both spouses if required by the court or our agreement?
• Are you comfortable testifying in court or at deposition about your valuation if the judge or attorneys require it?
• How do you handle disagreements if one side thinks the value is too high or too low (e.g., reconsideration, second appraisal, court-appointed appraiser)?

Scope, Methods, and Valuation Date

• What standard of value will you use (for example, fair market value) for this divorce appraisal?
• How do you select comparable sales and adjust for differences in condition, location, or upgrades?

Valuation Questions

Current Valuation

Will this be a current valuation, a retrospective valuation (e.g., value as of date of separation or filing), or both if my attorney asks?

Types of Property

What types of property can you value for our case (home, rental properties, business interests, personal property, etc.) and do we need multiple specialists?

Process, Timeline, and Access

• What is your process from inspection to final written report, and how long does each step typically take?
• What do you need from us before you start (prior appraisals, inspection reports, permits, list of improvements, access arrangements)?
• How will you handle access if one spouse is uncooperative or still living in the home?
• When and how will you communicate with the attorneys versus directly with each spouse?

Report Format and Court Use

• What will the written report include (photos, sketch or measurements, comparable sales grid, explanation of adjustments, market analysis)?
• Is your report prepared in a format commonly accepted by local courts and family-law practitioners?
• Are you willing and able to explain your methodology in non-technical terms for mediation or settlement discussions?
• If needed, what are your fees and procedures for providing testimony or responding to subpoenas?

Fees, Payment, and Logistics

• What is your fee structure (flat fee vs. hourly) and what does it cover (inspection, research, report, potential revisions)?
• Are additional charges likely for court testimony, travel, or supplemental reports, and how are those billed?
• Do you require payment upfront, and can the appraisal cost be split between spouses or paid from sale proceeds or settlement funds?
• If we later need a second appraisal or review, can you recommend how best to handle that without wasting money?

Using this list with your divorce lawyer's input helps ensure the appraiser's work is solid, fair, and aligned with your legal strategy.