Call Mike at 941-315-2727 to talk through your situation confidentially.

Why an Independent Appraisal Matters in a Divorce

In Florida, marital property is divided under the equitable distribution statute, and real estate is frequently the asset that drives the outcome. Online estimates, tax-roll values, and broker opinions can vary widely, and none of them are built to hold up under scrutiny. A credentialed appraisal gives everyone a common, evidence-based starting point and can reduce the back-and-forth that drives up time and cost.

Mike Petrone (State-certified general real estate appraiser RZ3609) holds an MBA and has over 30 years of valuation experience. Every report is prepared in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), which requires the appraiser to be impartial and to have no stake in the result. That independence is what makes the report useful whether you are negotiating at the kitchen table, with your attorneys, or in mediation. Our fee is never contingent on the value reached or the outcome of the matter.

What We Appraise

• The marital home, whether a single-family house, condo, or villa
• Second homes and vacation properties, including waterfront and golf-community homes
• Rental and investment properties, with market rent and income analysis where relevant
• Small commercial properties such as office, retail, flex/warehouse, and mixed-use buildings. We value the real estate only, not a business or its goodwill; a business appraiser handles that.
• Vacant land and lots

Because Mike holds a State-certified general real estate appraiser license (RZ3609), a single appraiser can handle both residential and commercial holdings in the same case, which keeps methodology consistent across the case.

Current and Retrospective Valuation Dates

Divorce cases do not always call for today's value. Depending on your case, your attorney may need a value as of the filing date, the date of a separation agreement, or another date set by agreement or by the judge. Under section 61.075, Florida Statutes, the cut-off for classifying marital assets is the earliest of a valid separation agreement, a date set in that agreement, or the filing date, and the judge sets the valuation date or dates that are just and equitable. We regularly prepare retrospective appraisals that analyze the market as it stood on a specific past date, using sales and listings that were available at that time.

Tell us the effective date your attorney needs before the assignment begins, and we will build the report around it. If more than one date matters, we can discuss how to address that in the scope of work.

Local Market Knowledge

In a divorce, the marital home is rarely the only property. Couples often own a primary home in Lakewood Ranch or Sarasota plus a rental in Bradenton, a vacation condo on Siesta Key, or a lot in North Port. Each of those markets has moved differently in recent years, especially for retrospective dates, so the comparables have to come from the right neighborhood and the right time. We work throughout Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties, including Venice, Osprey, Nokomis, Port Charlotte, and Englewood.

Our Process

1. Confidential consultation. Call or submit a request. We will discuss the property, the effective date, who the intended users are (for example, both spouses and both attorneys), and any deadlines.
2. Engagement. We confirm the scope of work and the report type in writing.
3. Inspection. Mike inspects the property and notes condition, updates, and features. If access is limited, we will discuss options.
4. Analysis. We research comparable sales, market trends, and any factors specific to the property. All analysis and conclusions are Mike's.
5. Report delivery. You receive a clear, USPAP-compliant report that explains how the value was reached.

Turnaround

Turnaround depends on the property type, the effective date, the complexity of the assignment, and any filing or mediation deadlines. Your delivery date is typically quoted at engagement, once we understand the scope. If you have a mediation or filing date approaching, tell us up front so we can confirm whether the timeline works before you engage. We respond to all inquiries within 1 business day.

Divorce Appraisal FAQ

Can one appraisal be used by both spouses?

Yes. Many couples or their attorneys agree on a single, jointly engaged appraiser to save time and cost. The report can name both parties and their counsel as intended users. That arrangement is set at engagement. If only one spouse engages us, the report is still independent; whether the other side is added as an intended user is decided at engagement.

Can you appraise the home as of a past date?

Yes. Retrospective appraisals are common in divorce cases. Your attorney should confirm which date applies to your case, and we will value the property as of that date.

What if my spouse won't allow access to the house?

Contact us before engaging so we can discuss options. In some situations an exterior-only inspection may be possible, and the report will disclose any limitations. Access disputes are usually handled through counsel.

Do you also appraise rental and commercial property?

Yes. As a State-certified general real estate appraiser (RZ3609), Mike can value residential, income-producing, and small commercial properties, so all of the real estate in a case can be handled by one appraiser.

Will you speak with our attorneys?

Yes. We can discuss the scope of work with counsel at engagement. Our appraisals are prepared for negotiation, mediation, and marital settlement agreements; we do not provide court testimony, depositions, or expert witness services.

Is this report the same as a lender appraisal?

No. A divorce appraisal is prepared for your specific intended use and users, not for a mortgage lender. If you plan to refinance to buy out a spouse, your lender will generally require its own appraisal.

Talk to an Appraiser Who Understands What Is at Stake

A divorce is stressful enough without arguing over what the house is worth. Get an independent, defensible number from an experienced Southwest Florida appraiser.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Please consult your family law attorney about valuation dates and how property will be treated in your case.