When the value of a home is at the center of a lawsuit, the appraisal has to survive cross-examination as well as review. Brian Ward provides litigation-grade residential appraisals and testifies about them in depositions, mediations, arbitrations and trials.
Matters we support
Family-law property divisions, probate and trust disputes, partition actions between co-owners, bankruptcy valuation hearings, insurance and construction-defect claims, and real estate disclosure cases all turn on residential market value. Retrospective dates are routine in this work.
Building a report for scrutiny
A litigation appraisal anticipates the questions opposing counsel will ask: why these comparables, why these adjustments, what the market was doing on the effective date. Our reports answer those questions in the document itself, with exhibits a judge or arbitrator can follow.
Consulting and rebuttal
Attorneys also retain us to review an opposing expert's appraisal, identify errors in data or method, and help prepare cross-examination. Review assignments follow the appraisal review standards in USPAP and can be performed with or without a separate opinion of value.
Engagement
Testimony, preparation and consulting time are quoted individually based on the matter and its deadlines. Describe the case in the request form and we will respond with a written proposal.
Report options
These report types are most often used for this purpose. The quote you receive will confirm which one fits your situation.
Requesting this appraisal
Use the request form to share the property address, the purpose and the effective date you need. You will receive a written quote and delivery date by email — usually within one business day — with no obligation until you approve it.