Last Monday, January 6th, marked “Divorce Day,” the unofficial start of divorce season. This time of year sees a noticeable uptick in divorce filings and consultations with family law attorneys. The reasons for this phenomenon are multifaceted: Many individuals use New Year’s resolutions as a chance for a fresh start, addressing unresolved marital issues or pursuing happiness outside of strained relationships. Others delay initiating divorce proceedings to avoid disrupting the holiday season for their families. Year-end financial and tax planning also play a role, as many people wait until January to begin the divorce process. Additionally, the new year serves as a psychological marker for change, motivating individuals to take action on decisions they’ve been contemplating. As an appraiser, understanding these trends can help you prepare for and capitalize on this busy season.

 

Building a niche in private appraisal work is crucial for growing your business, and divorce appraisals offer a unique opportunity. Over the years, I’ve found this niche to be my specialty, with divorce-related assignments accounting for over 30% of my appraisal work in 2024. These assignments are often needed when one spouse is buying out the other’s share of the marital home, when the home’s value becomes central to settling the case, or when the home was a premarital asset and multiple valuation dates are required. I’m typically hired either before mediation, to help parties reach a settlement, or after mediation, when disputes about the home’s value remain unresolved.

 

To succeed in the divorce niche, you need to understand the divorce process so you can communicate confidently with family law attorneys. Mastering the nuances of divorce-specific appraisals, including appropriate forms and how to handle assumptions and hypothetical conditions, is essential for ensuring your work is credible and defensible. Be prepared for challenges, such as clients stretching the truth to achieve their desired outcomes, and have a plan for maintaining integrity and professionalism in these situations.

 

Building strong relationships with family law attorneys is key to success in this niche. Most of my divorce appraisal work comes from attorney referrals. To build similar relationships, network proactively by sending emails, making calls, and scheduling coffee meetings to introduce yourself and your services. Once you’ve established a relationship with one attorney, they’re likely to refer you to others. Additionally, optimize your online presence by advertising divorce appraisal services on your website and leveraging Google to attract clients. When a spouse hires you, it’s also an excellent opportunity to connect with their attorney.

 

A common concern among appraisers is the possibility of their work being scrutinized in court. However, only a small percentage of divorce appraisals end up in court. Even if it happens, remember that you are the expert—your appraisal knowledge surpasses that of family law attorneys. Preparation is key: be thorough in your work and confident in presenting your findings to excel in court if called to testify.

 

Appraisers, the busy season for divorce appraisals is here. Embracing this niche is a fantastic way to diversify your business. If you’re looking for guidance, join the Appraisal Referral Network at ReferAppraisals.com. We offer both free and paid memberships to support your growth. Sign up today and receive a free engagement letter template and our “10 Steps to Grow a Non-Lender Business” guide—yours free just for joining. Don’t miss out on these valuable resources to elevate your appraisal business. Visit ReferAppraisals.com now and take the first step toward success. Prepare now and take advantage of the opportunities divorce season brings!

I recently worked on an appraisal for the marital home in a divorce case. This referral came from a family law attorney I collaborate with regularly. My client, the husband, planned to keep the house and buy out the wife’s share. The wife had already obtained an appraisal, and the husband wanted one to confirm its accuracy. It seemed straightforward: a simple ranch with plenty of comparable sales. However, I encountered an issue that surfaces from time to time—the client lied.

 

Private appraisals often carry the same pressure and external influences as lender work, just in different forms. In both cases, clients or third parties may attempt to influence the outcome to achieve their desired numbers. In lender work, it’s typically a seller or listing agent pushing to meet the sale price. In this case, the husband wanted the appraisal to come in as low as possible, reducing the amount he’d have to pay his wife in the buyout. Understanding client motivations is crucial in divorce appraisals: one party wants a high valuation to maximize their payout, while the other seeks a low number to minimize theirs. But how do you handle it when a client lies to manipulate the outcome—and you catch them in the act?

 

In this instance, I noticed water damage on the ceiling in the family room and breakfast area. When I asked the husband about it, he claimed the flat and main roof were nearly 20 years old and needed replacement. As part of my standard process, I reviewed available permits, which showed the roof had been replaced only two years ago. Initially, I thought this might be an error, but to confirm, I reviewed year-over-year aerial photos—a tool easily accessible through the county appraiser’s office. The photos clearly showed the roof had been replaced, with a visible color change, which was further corroborated by the assessor’s photos.

 

When I reported my findings to the client, he was almost speechless, claiming he didn’t remember replacing the roof. (I thought to myself, who forgets spending $20,000 on a roof just two years ago?) He reluctantly admitted that if the permit stated so, it must be accurate. His motivations were evident from the start. During the observation, he had insisted I classify the home as a two-bedroom, even though half the family room had been converted into a functional third bedroom with a door, window, closet, and appropriate layout. He justified this by saying he would remove the third bedroom after the divorce. His attempt to lower the appraisal value by claiming the roof needed replacement was unsurprising given this context.

 

When information cannot be verified, disclosure is key. For example, if a client tells me a home has foundation issues but provides no evidence, I include a statement in the report: “Ms. Smith indicated the home had foundation issues. No reports or repair bids were provided to support this claim. The appraiser is not qualified to determine foundation issues, and the report is subject to an inspection by a qualified third party.” I have no hesitation making a report subject to an inspection when necessary. In this particular appraisal, I didn’t mention the husband’s false claim about the roof. Instead, I stated the permits showed it had been replaced two years prior. Regarding the bedroom issue, I reported it as a two-bedroom home converted into three bedrooms.

 

With any type of assignment, the approach of trusting and verifying works well. If you’d like to learn more about private appraisal work and scenarios like this, the Appraisal Referral Network offers over 25 lessons. You can also unlock opportunities by connecting with colleagues, exchanging referrals, and growing your non-lender business. Visit ReferAppraisals.com to explore free and paid memberships tailored to your needs. Unlock your potential by connecting with other appraisers today!

Eighty percent of my business comes from non-lender work, and about 30% of that is related to divorces. While the diversification away from lender-based appraisals is beneficial, it also brings its own set of challenges. Sometimes, these cases can be emotionally taxing, and other times, they require you to provide more than just professional expertise—sometimes, you need to offer emotional support. That’s what I want to talk about today.

 

When I was a member of the National Association of Divorce Professionals, I learned a lot about the divorce process. One key takeaway was understanding how the brain works under stress and how to handle clients going through such intense situations. This knowledge has been invaluable because I often see these scenarios play out with my clients.

 

A few weeks ago, I met with a woman in her mid-50s going through a divorce. Her husband had moved out, and she shared with me that they had been married for over 25 years. She discovered through her Ring camera that her husband was bringing another woman to their home while she was away. This woman turned out to be his childhood girlfriend, with whom he had reconnected and had secretly been giving money to for years. By the time she got to this part of the story, she was in tears and visibly distraught. At that moment, my role as an appraiser took a backseat, and I had to be there as a supportive listener. All you can do in such situations is be present and let the client express their emotions until they’re ready to proceed.

 

It’s heartbreaking to hear these stories, and it can be tough to separate your feelings from your professional responsibilities. However, it’s crucial to remain impartial when determining the property’s value. It’s okay to empathize with a client, but you must set aside those emotions when providing an objective appraisal.

 

Despite the emotional challenges, I find divorce appraisals rewarding because they can bring resolution to a difficult situation. For many, the home is the most significant asset, and knowing its actual value—not relying on estimates from sites like Zillow or Redfin—can help expedite settlements. I’ve seen couples argue throughout my time at a property, witnessed a spouse physically assault the other, and, most painfully, seen families with young children go through the distress of divorce. While the diversity of non-lender work is valuable, it certainly comes with its own unique challenges.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about private appraisals and divorce assignments, consider joining the Appraisal Referral Network at ReferAppraisals.com. We offer both free and paid memberships, and it’s a great way to connect with fellow appraisers and grow your expertise in this niche field.

 

Daniel Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network