This week, I wanted to share a recent experience I had while completing a divorce appraisal. I was engaged by the wife’s attorney, which is pretty typical for me. In these cases, the spouse is usually my client, and the attorney is added as an intended user. Once the appraisal is complete, I send the report to both the client and their attorney.

 

Sometimes, attorneys request to be the client instead, likely to protect the appraisal as attorney work product. But in most cases I’ve handled, the spouse remains the named client.

 

So, the day before the inspection, I received a text from the wife letting me know her husband would be present during the appointment. That’s fine, not unusual at all. I’ve done 115 divorce-related appraisals this year alone. It’s a major part of my practice, and I’ve learned to expect just about anything.

 

But this particular visit was different. The husband was openly confrontational from the start. He questioned everything: my process, my credibility, and what I would do if the value range ended up between $1 million and $1.5 million. It was clear he was uneasy about the process and likely hoping for a lower value, as he was planning to buy out his spouse. On the other hand, the wife naturally wanted a higher value. Neither reaction surprised me.

 

I was direct with him. I explained that I’m neutral. I don’t care who the value benefits. My job is to analyze the property, collect accurate physical and market data, and support my conclusions in or out of court. I told him he’s free to disagree with my findings or even hire his own appraiser. That’s his right. But I also explained that my process is transparent. I measure the property, note its features and condition, and use recent comparable sales with appropriate adjustments to develop my opinion of value. That’s it. No games.

 

Divorce work often means dealing with two parties who may be at odds. Sometimes, one doesn’t want you there. Sometimes, neither do. A few months ago, I showed up for an inspection with the husband, only to find out he never told his wife I was coming. She was upstairs sleeping and understandably alarmed when a stranger was walking around her home. It created an incredibly uncomfortable situation that could have been avoided with basic communication.

 

These are the realities of family law appraisals. If you’re getting into this niche, be ready for unexpected scenarios. Stay professional, stay neutral, and don’t let tense moments rattle your focus. Your job is to provide credible, supportable analysis no matter the circumstances.

 

If you’re an appraiser looking to grow your non-lender business and gain confidence in the divorce niche, join the Appraisal Referral Network. It’s a space for professionals who want to expand, collaborate, and build a steady stream of private work

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