In a Texas divorce, the family home is often the largest asset on the table, and everyone involved needs a number they can trust. A neutral, well-documented appraisal keeps the conversation about the facts instead of opinions from online estimates.
Why a divorce appraisal is different
A divorce appraisal is prepared for a specific purpose, usually to help divide property fairly or to set a buyout price. The intended use and the intended users are stated in the report, and the appraiser stays independent of both spouses. Our divorce appraisals follow USPAP and show the comparable sales and adjustments behind the conclusion, so attorneys and judges can see how the value was reached.
What the effective date means
The date the value applies to matters. Depending on the situation, your attorney may ask for the value as of today, as of the date of filing, or as of another date. If the value is needed for a past date, the appraiser prepares a retrospective appraisal. Confirm the date with your attorney before you order, so the report answers the right question.
What to have ready
- Access to the home for an interior and exterior inspection, scheduled with whoever occupies it
- A list of improvements, repairs and renovations with approximate dates and costs
- The most recent property tax statement and any survey or floor plan
- HOA information, if the home is in a deed-restricted community
- The names and contact details of the attorneys, so the report can be delivered to the right people
How to keep it neutral
Both sides can feel more comfortable when the appraiser is engaged through the attorneys or by agreement, and when the same report goes to everyone involved. Be honest about the home’s condition and let the appraiser see everything. A value built on incomplete information is easier to challenge later.
When one spouse keeps the home
If one spouse is buying out the other, the appraisal sets the starting point for the buyout. A lender may also require its own appraisal for any refinance, which is separate from the divorce appraisal. Your attorney and your lender can tell you which reports each needs.
Serving the Houston area
We prepare divorce appraisals for family law attorneys and spouses across Greater Houston, including Katy, Sugar Land and Missouri City, The Woodlands and Spring, and Pearland and Friendswood. Discretion and confidentiality are part of how we work.
Get a quote
Send us the property address and the effective date you need and we will reply with a fixed quote. Request a quote or call 713-955-8972. Reports are delivered in under 4 days.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Please consult your attorney about your situation.
Related reading: the divorce appraisal service and our guide to retrospective appraisals. We serve Sugar Land and Missouri City, The Woodlands and Spring and the rest of Greater Houston.