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Divorce & Marital Property Appraisals · St. Louis & Kansas City

The home matters.
So does knowing its value.

When a marriage ends, decisions about the house can feel overwhelming. A professionally prepared, independent appraisal gives you a clearer starting point for conversations about a buyout, sale, or property division.

ORDER A DIVORCE APPRAISAL →Confidential, professional communication
A clearer path forward

You have enough decisions to make. Your home's value shouldn't be a guessing game.

For many couples, the marital home is one of their most valuable shared assets. Whether one person hopes to stay or both are considering selling, a supported market-value opinion can help replace competing estimates with documented property and market analysis.

01 / BUYOUT

One spouse wants to keep the home

An appraisal helps establish the property's market value for discussions about a possible buyout. The amount owed to either spouse depends on more than the appraisal alone.

02 / PROPERTY DIVISION

You need a number both sides can review

An independent report supplies a documented value opinion for attorneys, mediators, and parties as they address real estate in a proposed settlement.

03 / DISAGREEMENT

You see different values online

Automated estimates and suggested listing prices may differ. An appraisal considers the specific property, its condition, and relevant comparable market evidence.

What is a divorce appraisal?

More than an online estimate. A value opinion built for your situation.

A divorce appraisal is a professional opinion of real estate value developed for a stated purpose and effective date. It may be used to inform negotiations, mediation, or legal proceedings, subject to the court's requirements and the report's intended use.

The appraiser evaluates relevant property characteristics, condition, location, market conditions, and comparable sales. Depending on the assignment, the analysis may address a current date or a past date requested by counsel.

Important: We determine real estate value, not who owns the home, how much each spouse should receive, or the terms of a legal settlement.

Keeping the home?

Understand the difference between home value and home equity.

A home's appraised value is not the same as the cash available to divide. Mortgage debt, other liens, potential transaction costs, agreements, and legal considerations can affect the final calculation.

ILLUSTRATIVE APPRAISED VALUE$300,000
ILLUSTRATIVE MORTGAGE BALANCE− $180,000
SIMPLIFIED EQUITY BEFORE OTHER FACTORS$120,000

Example only—not an estimate of your property's value or a buyout recommendation. A hypothetical 50% division of this simplified equity would be $60,000, but actual allocation may be different. Ask your attorney about debts, costs, title, and the applicable settlement terms.

Different cases, different needs

When might you need a divorce appraisal?

Current market value

Useful when the question is what the property is worth as of a current effective date, such as during a proposed buyout or property-division discussion.

Retrospective (past-date) value

Some cases require a value opinion as of a prior date. A retrospective appraisal researches market conditions and evidence relevant to that earlier effective date.

Property condition or renovations

Deferred maintenance, damage, renovations, and unfinished work can affect value. We establish the condition and assumptions relevant to the assignment.

Attorney, mediator, or court-related use

We can discuss the intended users, effective date, reporting format, and any special requirements before accepting the assignment. Court acceptance or testimony is not automatic.

Why True Value Appraisal?

You deserve a valuation process that adds clarity—not conflict.

A divorce can already bring uncertainty. Our role is to provide objective, market-supported real estate analysis and explain the appraisal process clearly—not to take sides.

LOCAL MARKET FOCUS

Knowledge of the area

We serve the St. Louis and Kansas City markets and research local sales, property characteristics, and neighborhood conditions relevant to your home.

INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS

Not a number chosen for either side

Our value conclusion must follow the evidence. Paying for an appraisal does not determine the result.

CLEAR COMMUNICATION

Know what to expect

We clarify the appraisal's purpose, effective date, access arrangements, scope, fee, and anticipated delivery schedule before proceeding.

True Value Appraisal's residential appraisal services are led by Missouri Certified Residential Appraiser Thevenot P. Jacques. Assignment acceptance depends on property type, location, licensing, independence, and scope.

Our simple process

Three steps toward a better-informed property decision.

STEP 01

Tell us about the property

Submit the address, purpose, intended users, and any attorney-requested effective date. We'll review the assignment details and provide a quote.

STEP 02

Inspection & market research

As required by the agreed scope, we inspect or research the property, verify relevant information, and analyze comparable market evidence.

STEP 03

Receive the appraisal report

We deliver the completed report to the identified client and authorized intended users as agreed. You and your attorney decide how to use it.

Common questions

Divorce appraisal FAQs

Straight answers to the questions we know can come up when the house is part of a separation.

Does each spouse need to order a separate appraisal?

Not necessarily. The parties or their attorneys may agree to use one independent appraisal, or they may obtain separate reports. The engagement should clearly identify the client, intended users, purpose, and who may receive the report. TVA cannot automatically share one party's confidential appraisal with the other.

Will the appraiser favor the spouse who pays?

No. The appraisal opinion must be independent and based on the property and market evidence. The fee is not contingent on reaching a particular value.

What if my spouse and I disagree about what the house is worth?

An appraisal gives you a documented opinion to evaluate with your attorneys or mediator. Different appraisals can still produce different conclusions, and a court is not required to adopt one particular opinion.

Can I use Zillow or a real estate agent's price estimate instead?

Online estimates and comparative market analyses may be helpful for context, but they are not equivalent to a property-specific appraisal prepared for an identified divorce-related use. Your attorney can advise what documentation is appropriate.

Does an appraisal tell us how much one spouse must pay the other?

No. The appraisal estimates real estate value. Equity and buyout calculations also involve mortgages, liens, settlement terms, and other financial or legal factors.

Can the appraisal value the home as of our separation date?

Potentially. This is a retrospective appraisal. Your attorney should confirm which effective date is relevant, and TVA will determine whether the needed historical information is available for a credible assignment.

What happens if one spouse will not allow the appraiser inside?

Tell us before ordering. The scope and feasibility depend on access and the intended use. An exterior-only or other limited-scope assignment may not be suitable or credible for every situation.

How much does a divorce appraisal cost, and how long does it take?

Pricing and turnaround depend on the property, location, complexity, requested effective date, inspection access, and report requirements. Contact us with your property address and deadline for a specific quote.

Will your appraisal automatically be accepted in court?

No appraiser can guarantee that. Evidence requirements, court orders, and decisions about admissibility or weight belong to the court. Please tell us about any attorney or court requirements before ordering, including any possible testimony or deposition needs.

Can I order before speaking with my divorce attorney?

Yes, you can contact us to discuss the service. Before an assignment begins, however, it is often helpful to confirm the correct valuation date, intended users, and report purpose with your attorney so the report matches the need.

General educational information only; not legal, tax, or financial advice. In Missouri, marital property division is governed by applicable law and court findings; the appraisal does not decide the allocation.

Take the next step

Moving forward starts with knowing what the home is worth.

Whether you're considering a buyout, preparing for mediation, or working with an attorney, request an independent appraisal with a clearly defined purpose.

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St. Louis & Kansas City, Missouri · Independent, professional property valuation