By Eagle Home Appraisal Birmingham
Published · Updated
Who pays for the appraisal in a divorce is one of those small questions that can start a big argument. There is no single answer. It depends on the arrangement and the instructions in your particular case, so settle it before anyone orders the report.
Typical ways appraisal costs are paid
- If the two of you are thinking about a shared appraisal, decide up front who will hire the appraiser, who will receive the report, and how the fee will be paid.
Negotiating who pays
- Talk it through with your attorney, including any idea of splitting the fee or reimbursing one side later, and write the arrangement down clearly.
- If you and your spouse disagree about who should order or pay for the work, let the attorneys sort that out first, before an appraiser is engaged.
Practical tips
- Ask the appraiser for a written estimate, and find out whether the fee is flat or hourly so both sides know what to expect.
- Put the agreement in writing, including who is responsible for the invoice and any reimbursement you have agreed on separately.
In Birmingham
Divorces in the Birmingham Division of Jefferson County are heard by the Tenth Judicial Circuit’s Domestic Relations Division, which has its own building at 2124 Seventh Avenue North. Ask your attorney how that court expects the cost of an appraisal to be handled in your case, and get the answer in writing before the work is ordered. If you are weighing next steps, a call to (205) 732-7383 is an easy way to start.
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