Divorce Appraisals In Manhattan

When dividing marital assets, you need neutral property valuations that support fair settlements and avoid prolonged litigation.

Why Divorcing Couples Need Independent Property Appraisals

Divorce is stressful enough without fighting over property values. Yet contested real estate valuations are among the most common sources of conflict in Manhattan divorce proceedings. When both parties hire competing appraisers whose values differ by hundreds of thousands of dollars, settlement becomes impossible and litigation costs spiral.

Independent appraisals from neutral third parties solve this problem. When a single qualified appraiser values the property objectively, following recognized professional standards, both spouses and their attorneys can accept the result. Courts strongly prefer this approach because it reduces conflict, speeds settlements, and ensures equitable distribution based on credible market analysis rather than advocacy.

Manhattan marital property presents unique valuation challenges. Co-ops with their proprietary leases and board restrictions. Condos with varying amenity packages and location premiums. Townhouses with development potential or landmark restrictions. Investment properties generating rental income. Each property type requires specialized knowledge that generic appraisers lack.

Equitable distribution laws in New York require fair market value determinations for all marital property. Not the value one spouse claims. Not the price someone hopes to get eventually. Fair market value as of the specific valuation date the court establishes. Professional appraisers understand these legal requirements and provide valuations that satisfy them.

Block Appraisals provides Divorce Appraisals In Manhattan that family court judges, divorce attorneys, and separating couples trust. We hold New York State Certified Residential licensing (License #45000045910) and follow USPAP standards rigorously. The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice provide the framework courts expect for equitable distribution purposes. Our appraisals have been accepted in New York Supreme Court cases, demonstrating judicial confidence in our methodology.

Designations and Affiliations

How Our Manhattan Property Appraiser Can Support Your Family

Balanced Assets

Our process involves assessing your property at its location and conducting thorough market research to ascertain its value accurately. With our unbiased evaluation, you can confidently allocate your property’s worth to your former partner, your children, or any other beneficiary, ensuring a fair distribution based on objective data.

Selling Your Home

Frequently, partners may opt to sell the properties they once jointly owned for their mutual benefit. Our team of expert appraisers in NYC offers comprehensive evaluations of your property, empowering you to capitalize on its full value in today’s competitive real estate market.

What Our Clients Say About Us

Based on 141 reviews

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AC Mathiot

Scott was very responsive and provided an informative, professional and fair value within an efficient and convenient timeframe. Thank you !

Gabe Leibowitz

Scott's the best appraiser I've worked with. He's incredibly knowledgeable, super thorough and really responsive. I've used him multiple times now on important projects and he's been a dream partner. I can't recommend him highly enough!

Jack Mondello

Scotts’ experience and professional demeanor was evident through the entire appraisal process. His responsiveness and attention to detail made me realize that choosing Block Appraisals was the right decision. I highly recommend them.

Jessica Christo

We had an excellent experience with our appraisal completed by Scott. The report was extremely thorough, detailed, and clearly well-researched. Every aspect of our unit was carefully evaluated and accurately documented. Communication throughout the process was professional, timely, and transparent. We truly appreciated Scott’s attention to detail and would highly recommend him to anyone in need of a reliable and accurate appraisal.

CAVA

After working with multiple appraisers, I can confidently say this experience truly stood out. Scott was extremely professional and meticulous, taking the necessary time to thoroughly research the market and select accurate, truly comparable properties. The final report was detailed, well-supported, and clearly reflected real effort and expertise. It was refreshing to work with someone who approached the appraisal with such care and attention to detail. I highly recommend Scott’s services.

Anthony Esposito

I had a great experience working with Scott for my property appraisal. He was professional, thorough, and incredibly knowledgeable about the local Staten Island market. He took the time to explain his process, answer my questions, and provide clear reasoning behind the valuation. The report was detailed, well-supported, and delivered quickly.

It’s clear he takes pride in his work and cares about accuracy and transparency. I’d definitely recommend Scott and Block Appraisals to anyone looking for a reliable, honest, and straightforward appraiser.

Highly recommended.

doris gardner

I had a fantastic experience with Fred during the appraisal of my home.they were incredibly professional punctual and communicated the entire process

Daniela Sabel

I highly recommend working with Block Appraisals. My husband and I worked directly with Scott and his associate to get a residential building appraised. He is super detail oriented, great with communication and was very patient with all our questions.

Jayron Nesbit

The appraisers evaluated our two-bedroom in Astoria efficiently and professionally. They understood the local market dynamics and recent development in the area. Got the report back in five business days which met our timeline perfectly.

Stephen Daly

Needed an estate appraisal for tax purposes after my father passed. Scott was professional during a difficult time and provided documentation that satisfied the IRS requirements. Their expertise with estate valuations made the process much smoother.

Nikk Simpson

Reliable service from experienced appraisers . Would recommend Block Appraisals

Neil

I contacted scott to get my parents house appraised to sell the property.He advised me to get a date of death appraisal as my parents has passed away.He completed the appraisal on time and kept in touch with me through the process.I would recommend him to anyone who needs his services.

Hungkyu Chun

Scott was very responsive and professional. I like his competence and attitude. I will work with him again and introduced him to my client.

Jenny Magbanua

Scott helped us get two appraisals done with attention to detail and patience as we are new to this experience. Thank you! We highly recommend Scott and his team!

Samina Roy

My mortgage broker recommended Block Appraisals for a private appraisal for a date of death, and they did a solid job. Scheduled quickly, showed up on time, and sent the report back in a timely manner. Would use again.

Show - In - Tube

Had to get an estate appraisal done for my aunt's property in Queens. Scott completed everything within the timeline our lawyer needed, and the valuation was well-documented. Helped us settle things without any complications.

Brian Dotson

Overall great experience with professionals. Solid appraisers and fair pricing.

john waga

It was easier to understand and was able to finish my task in a timely fashion

Sophia Batson

Solid appraisers, fair pricing

Dellquan Roy

Hired them to appraise my small commercial space in Brooklyn. Professional service from start to finish. The appraisers were familiar with the area and the valuation made sense.

Benefits: Why Neutral Appraisals Lead to Faster, Fairer Divorce Settlements

Contested property valuations prolong divorce proceedings, increase legal expenses, and create acrimony that harms everyone involved. Professional appraisals from truly independent experts prevent these problems.

Court Acceptance and Legal Recognition
Family court judges strongly prefer independent appraisals over competing valuations from appraisers hired by opposing parties. When both sides bring their own experts with values hundreds of thousands apart, judges question everyone’s credibility. A single neutral appraiser following professional standards eliminates this problem. Our appraisals have been accepted in New York Supreme Court cases, demonstrating judicial confidence in our work. That acceptance matters when courts must decide equitable distribution.

Both Parties Trust the Results
The greatest benefit of independent appraisals is mutual acceptance. When an appraiser has no connection to either spouse, no financial interest in the outcome, and follows recognized professional standards, both parties can trust the valuation. This trust facilitates settlement negotiations and prevents the need for expensive expert testimony at trial. Most divorce cases settle when property values are not in dispute.

Fair Market Value Based on Market Data
Our valuations reflect genuine market conditions, not wishful thinking or advocacy. We analyze what similar Manhattan properties actually sold for, adjust for differences systematically, and reach conclusions supported by market evidence. This objectivity protects both spouses. Neither party gets shortchanged, and neither party pays more than fair value in buyout situations.

Equitable Distribution That Satisfies Legal Requirements
New York law requires equitable distribution of marital property based on fair market value. Courts need credible valuations to divide property fairly. Our appraisals provide the documentation judges require for equitable distribution orders. When valuations meet legal standards, court proceedings move forward efficiently.

Reduced Legal Costs and Faster Settlements
Prolonged valuation disputes cost thousands in attorney fees and expert witness charges. When both parties accept a single independent appraisal early in the process, much of this expense disappears. Settlement negotiations focus on actual distribution rather than arguing about values. Most attorneys prefer this approach because it serves their clients’ interests better than prolonged conflict.

Documentation for Refinancing and Property Transfer
After divorce, properties often need refinancing to remove one spouse from the mortgage or facilitate buyouts. Lenders require appraisals for these transactions. Our divorce appraisals can often serve double duty, providing the valuation needed for equitable distribution and the documentation required for subsequent financing. This efficiency saves time and additional appraisal expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce Property Appraisals

Should we hire one neutral appraiser or should each spouse get their own?

One neutral appraiser is almost always better and more economical. When each spouse hires competing appraisers, values often differ significantly because each appraiser may unconsciously favor their client’s position. This creates conflict rather than resolution. Courts strongly prefer a single independent appraiser both parties agree on. The shared investment is modest compared to the cost of dueling experts and prolonged litigation.

What if we disagree with the appraisal value?

Professional appraisals based on solid methodology and market data rarely face successful challenges. However, if either party believes we made an error, we welcome questions. We can explain our methodology, show the comparable sales we analyzed, and clarify how we reached our conclusions. If we actually made a mistake, we correct it. If the disagreement is about methodology rather than error, the court can decide. Judges generally accept properly credentialed appraisals following professional standards unless opposing experts demonstrate clear problems.

Can the same appraisal be used for refinancing after divorce?

Often yes, though lenders have their own requirements. If the divorce appraisal is recent and meets the lender’s standards, many banks will accept it. This saves the additional expense of another appraisal. However, if significant time has passed or market conditions have changed substantially, lenders may require updated valuations. We can discuss with you whether the divorce appraisal will serve post divorce financing needs or whether separate appraisals make more sense.

Ten Common Divorce Property Situations Requiring Professional Appraisals

You and your spouse disagree about the value of your Manhattan apartment for equitable distribution purposes
You want to buy out your spouse’s interest but need an objective value both parties can accept
Your spouse hired an appraiser whose value seems unrealistically high or low
You are concerned your spouse is hiding the true value of investment properties you jointly own
You need valuation as of your separation date, not current market conditions months or years later
You own multiple Manhattan properties together and need consistent, credible valuations for all of them
Your divorce attorney recommends getting an independent appraisal before negotiations begin
You and your spouse are trying to settle without prolonged litigation but need neutral property values
The family court judge ordered an independent appraisal and you need a qualified professional
You refinanced or improved the property during marriage and need documentation of increased value

Get Professional Divorce Appraisals In Manhattan for Fair Property Distribution

Do not let property valuation disputes delay your divorce settlement. Do not waste resources on competing appraisers whose conflicting opinions prolong litigation. Contact Block Appraisals today for Divorce Appraisals In Manhattan that serve fairness, expedite settlements, and ensure equitable distribution based on credible market analysis.

Taking the Next Step Toward Fair Settlement

Contact Block Appraisals today to discuss your divorce property valuation needs. Whether you and your spouse are jointly seeking an independent appraisal, your attorney recommends getting objective values, or the court has ordered neutral valuation, we provide the impartial expertise Manhattan divorces require.