Ensuring every asset is fairly valued, whether it’s a luxury item, a collectible, or an investment, requires a meticulous—and transparent—approach. It is crucial that your Family Law Attorney is familiar with high net income cases, but also has trusted appraisers, forensic accountants, and other experts who can assess the true value of your assets. The goal is always to make the process as collaborative and unbiased as possible.

When possible, it is wise to advocate for using a joint expert to streamline the valuation process and avoid conflicting appraisals. Selecting a neutral expert reduces the likelihood of unnecessary disputes and saves time and money.  While your attorney should have preferred professionals, it should be clear that their role is to provide an accurate and impartial valuation—not to favor one party over the other. This goes far to make the process fair and credible.  When the evaluation is unbiased, settlement is not only possible, but likely.

However, sometimes the nature of the assets demands particularly specialized knowledge and experience. For example, a case involving rare stamps and coins, which can easily be valued in the millions.  In such a case the family law attorney will need to seek out a specialized appraiser with a deep understanding of the market.

In situations where both parties insist on hiring their own appraisers, the aim is to keep the dialogue constructive. If discrepancies arise between the valuations, the attorneys and parties work together to understand the methodology behind each assessment. The underlying key is ensuring that both sides feel their interests are represented while maintaining a focus on accuracy and fairness.

When a client isn’t familiar with the specifics of a particular asset—perhaps they were not the one managing the collection or investment—it can be arranged for the appraiser or expert to explain their findings directly to the client. This not only helps the client better understand the value of the asset but also builds their confidence in the fairness of the process.

If you are looking at a high net worth divorce, call one of our experienced attorneys at 908-529-0353 .