In divorce, an appraisal is used to put a credible, third-party value on assets (most often real estate) so you can negotiate a buyout, plan a sale, or present evidence to the court.
What an appraisal means
A divorce appraisal is an independent opinion of a property's fair market value prepared for negotiations, mediation, or court use. It's commonly requested when one spouse will buy out the other, the home will be sold and proceeds divided, or real estate is part of a larger settlement.
How the appraisal is done
The process generally mirrors a standard appraisal: the appraiser inspects the property, reviews its condition/features and upgrades, then analyzes comparable local sales ("comps") to estimate value. In some divorces, a "retrospective" appraisal is needed to value the property as of a specific past date (often the separation date), especially if the market has moved a lot. The appraiser then produces a written report intended to stand up in negotiations or, if needed, court proceedings.
How courts and settlements use it
Appraisals help assign a value to an asset so it can be divided fairly—e.g., one spouse keeps the home and refinances to pay the other spouse's share, or the home is sold and proceeds are split. If spouses can't agree on value, a court may consider competing appraisal evidence and decide what value to use, and in some cases the court can appoint an expert to assist. For a business, a valuation can be used so one spouse keeps the company while the other spouse receives other assets as an offset (or, less commonly, the business may be sold and proceeds split).
If you disagree with the value
One common approach is to get a second appraisal; some couples then average the two values, use mediation to settle on a number, or ask a judge to decide (sometimes after a court-appointed appraisal).
Because the chosen valuation date can materially affect the result, disagreements sometimes focus on when the asset should be valued as well as the number itself.
Practical tips
Expect the appraiser to consider things like renovations, damage/condition, and current market conditions, so share documentation (permits, receipts, a repair list) early.
Costs are often split between spouses by agreement (commonly 50/50), but confirm this with your lawyer or mediator and make sure the appraiser understands the required valuation date and purpose.