Some valuations exist to serve a specific legal or financial event, where the standard of value, the valuation date, and the documentation requirements are dictated by the situation rather than by a sale. These engagements demand an appraiser who understands what the report must accomplish and who can defend it under pressure.
Situations we serve
Divorce and marital dissolution, where the business is often the largest and most contested asset. Partner and shareholder disputes, including buyouts under a buy-sell agreement (and drafting-stage valuations that prevent those disputes). Estate and gift tax matters requiring IRS-defensible conclusions. Damage calculations and litigation support. Conversions, recapitalizations, and other corporate events that require a value as of a specific date.
What makes these different
A sale valuation asks what a buyer would pay. A special purpose valuation asks a narrower question defined by statute, case law, or contract: fair market value, fair value, or investment value, as of a precise date, sometimes with discounts for lack of control or marketability that must be individually supported. Getting the standard wrong is the fastest way to get a report thrown out. We get the standard right first, then do the math.
Working with your attorney
These engagements almost always involve counsel. We work alongside your attorney from scoping through, when needed, explaining the conclusions. Every report is written knowing that someone whose job is to disagree with it will read it.
Pricing: quoted by engagement.
Common questions
Can you update an old valuation for a new dispute?
Usually a new engagement is required, because the purpose and date define the work, but prior reports speed the process.
Do you testify?
Ask about the specifics of your matter during the consultation.
My buy-sell agreement has a formula. Do I still need this?
Formulas age badly. A current appraisal tells you whether the formula still reflects reality, ideally before anyone triggers it.
Tell us what the valuation needs to accomplish. Set a Free Consultation
Jeff Kalil, BCA, CM&AP, CEPA — Business Certified Appraiser, Certified Merger & Acquisition Professional, Certified Exit Planning Advisor. Veteran-owned. Member: IBBA, M&A Source, AMAA, NACVA. Meet Jeff.