Real Estate Appraisers

The Importance of Appraisers Accurately Valuing the Marital Home in Dissolutions

In any property division proceeding, one of the most crucial steps is determining an accurate and reliable value of the marital home. Because the home is often the single largest asset a couple owns, its valuation plays a central role in shaping the entire property division process. Without a trustworthy appraisal, neither spouse nor the court can make informed decisions about how to divide marital assets fairly.

Most states follow equitable distribution laws, which require marital property to be divided in a manner that is fair—even if not strictly equal. When one spouse is awarded the marital home, the equity contained in that home can dramatically affect the allocation of other marital assets, such as investment accounts, retirement funds, vehicles, and personal property. An accurate valuation allows your attorney to advocate effectively for a distribution that protects your financial interests and reflects the true value of the marital estate.

Even in cases where the home will be sold, knowing the market value ahead of time is essential for negotiations, settlement planning, and determining each spouse’s expected share of the sale proceeds. In short, the valuation of the marital home serves as a foundation for the entire property division analysis.

Seeking the Best Professional Advice Regarding the Value of Your Home

Many lawyers rely on publicly available sources—such as county assessor records—to estimate a home’s value. However, these assessments often differ significantly from real-world market conditions. Assessor valuations may lag behind current trends, fail to account for recent improvements or structural issues, and rarely reflect what a buyer would actually pay in today’s market.

At Stange Law Firm, PC, we believe that clients deserve more than an estimate based on outdated or incomplete information. That is why we work with experienced, qualified real estate appraisers who provide professional, credible valuations of residential property. These experts evaluate comparable sales, market trends, property condition, unique features, and local demand. Their appraisals serve as reliable evidence in negotiations or court proceedings, helping ensure that the value assigned to your home accurately reflects its true worth.

This attention to detail becomes even more important in cases involving:

Very high-value homes
Homes located in competitive or fluctuating markets
Properties with unique or custom features
Disputes over improvements, additions, or repairs
Questions about separate versus marital contributions to the property

By obtaining a professional appraisal, we place our clients in a stronger position to negotiate or litigate effectively.

Valuation of Commercial and Agricultural Properties

While valuing a marital home is critical, many divorces involve additional real estate assets that require specialized expertise. Our firm regularly assists clients in cases involving:

Commercial properties, including office buildings, warehouses, retail spaces, and rental units
Agricultural properties, such as farms, ranches, and land used for livestock or crops
Income-producing properties, where valuation may involve both market value and capitalization of income
Multi-property estates, which require coordinated and consistent appraisal analysis

These types of properties often involve complex financial considerations, including business income streams, soil quality, zoning issues, land improvements, depreciation, and other factors not typically present in residential valuations.

Stange Law Firm, PC has access to a broad network of appraisal professionals who specialize in these specific categories of property. Whether your case involves a working farm, commercial portfolio, or a combination of real estate holdings, we work diligently to obtain accurate valuations that support a fair and equitable distribution of the marital estate.

How Accurate Valuation Strengthens Your Case

Obtaining a reliable appraisal can influence many aspects of your divorce, including:

Negotiating buyout amounts
Structuring settlements involving multiple assets
Determining whether to keep or sell certain property
Calculating each spouse’s equitable interest
Evaluating tax consequences associated with property transfers
Supporting or challenging expert testimony at trial

A strong, well-supported valuation can prevent disputes, limit surprises during the process, and help ensure that the final division of property reflects the true financial reality.