Business Valuation Update Yearbook, 2022 Edition
January 2022 PDF (454 pages)
BVR (editor)
Business Valuation Resources, LLC
Divorce Disputes: When Valuation Experts Disagree
Valuations performed in the context of divorce litigation encounter scrutiny and challenge from opposing counsel and their experts. This puts experts in the unique situation of defending their analyses and opinions. Utilizing proper valuation techniques encompassed with supporting documentation, facts, and statistical market and industry analyses will enhance credibility by increasing an appraiser’s confidence level in his or her opinion. Join expert valuator Josh Shilts and Jeff Robison as they discuss areas in valuation that ...
Asare v. Asare
In this marital dissolution appellate case, the appellate court must resolve a number of issues related to the equitable distribution of the marital estate. On most issues, the appellate court affirmed the trial court. However, the appellate court reversed the trial court on the issue of how much passive appreciation related to an investment account was includable in the marital estate.
North Carolina Appellate Court Reverses Trial Court on Amount of Passive Appreciation in an Investment Account
In this marital dissolution appellate case, the appellate court must resolve a number of issues related to the equitable distribution of the marital estate. On most issues, the appellate court affirmed the trial court. However, the appellate court reversed the trial court on the issue of how much passive appreciation related to an investment account was includable in the marital estate.
Letter to the Editor: A New Development in Personal Goodwil
Remarks and comments from BVR’s legal editor on a previous article that discussed Florida’s proposed legislation to clarify the value of goodwill in the marital interest of closely held businesses.
How to Explain Personal Goodwill to a Trier of Fact for a Divorce Valuation
This is an excerpt from the author’s upcoming sixth edition of Understanding Business Valuation, which will be available from BVR in early 2022.
Harvey v. Harvey (In re Michael S.)
In this divorce case, on appeal, the California appellate court rejected a discount for taxes not immediate and specific and allowed a DLOM regarding the value of the wife’s one-half interest in the jointly owned business. The court also determined that “the [trial] court impliedly made the factual findings necessary to support its ruling regarding Cynthia’s breach of fiduciary duty claim.” Finally, the appeals court determined that the trial court had the authority to set its own terms for payment of the equalization amount to the wife.
In a Divorce Case, the California Court of Appeal Rejects Discount for Taxes Not Immediate and Specific But Allows a DLOM
In this divorce case, on appeal, the California appellate court rejected a discount for taxes not immediate and specific and allowed a DLOM regarding the value of the wife’s one-half interest in the jointly owned business. The court also determined that “the [trial] court impliedly made the factual findings necessary to support its ruling regarding Cynthia’s breach of fiduciary duty claim.” Finally, the appeals court determined that the trial court had the authority to set its own terms for payment of the equalization amount to the wife.
New toolkit in development for active/passive appreciation
During a BVR webinar, Ashok Abbott (West Virginia University) discussed his recent peer-reviewed paper that explains his methodology for separating active from passive appreciation of business assets in a divorce context.
Personal goodwill likely in martial estate in Wyoming divorce case
In Wyoming, personal goodwill is not part of the marital estate, but it’s likely that some was included in a recent case.
Appellate court KOs unaccrued interest on dissipated assets
In a divorce case, an appellate court vacated the order of the trial court that erroneously charged the husband with over $4 million in unaccrued interest on marital assets that the husband fraudulently dissipated from the marital estate.
Florida’s Proposed Change to Goodwill Could Set a Precedent
The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar is proposing legislation to clarify the value of goodwill in the marital interest of closely held businesses. The authors envision that this proposed legislation could set a precedent for future family law matters throughout the United States.
Court Affirms Inclusion of Personal Goodwill in Marital Estate, Decides Trial Court Erred in Granting a Judgment Against Husband’s Business
In this divorce case, the Supreme Court of Wyoming allowed the valuation of the husband’s business, which likely included personal goodwill. It also decided that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it valued the husband’s business or ordered him to make an equalization payment. However, the district court erred in granting a judgment against the husband’s business for the equity payment due the wife since the business was not a party to the divorce action.
Snyder v. Snyder
In this divorce case, the Supreme Court of Wyoming allowed the valuation of the husband’s business, which likely included personal goodwill. It also decided that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it valued the husband’s business or ordered him to make an equalization payment. However, the district court erred in granting a judgment against the husband’s business for the equity payment due the wife since the business was not a party to the divorce action.
Feedback wanted on Abbott model for active/passive appreciation
For several years, Professor Ashok Abbott (West Virginia University) has been developing a methodology for separating active from passive appreciation of business assets in a divorce context (see our first coverage here).
Active and Passive Appreciation in Valuation: Finding the Line
Breaking up is hard, but harder still is appropriating the appreciation of the marital estate during the marriage. The most troubling issue with active and passive appreciation in divorce cases is applying a method based on sound theory, good empirical evidence, and a clear common-sense framework. Ashok Abbott demonstrates a methodology and supporting evidence to isolate passive appreciation successfully. By working through a practice-ready example, you’ll be sure to come away with a new appreciation ...
Mohen v. Mohen
In the trial court (TC), the wife was awarded $4,360,158 of mostly unaccrued interest on the corpus of trusts the husband set up unilaterally for the children. The TC took the value of those trusts, $9,291,372, as part of the marital estate. The TC also added $990,945 of interest that the trusts had received and the remaining unaccrued future interest for a total value of “distribution” paid to the husband of $14,642,475 related to the trusts. The appellate court (AC) determined that the future interest was future interest and, thus, not part of the marital estate. However, the AC let stand the determination that the value of the trusts were to be treated as a distribution to the husband.
Husband Dissipates Assets by Placing Them in Trusts for the Children, but the Appellate Court Does Not Allow Unaccrued Interest
In the trial court (TC), the wife was awarded $4,360,158 of mostly unaccrued interest on the corpus of trusts the husband set up unilaterally for the children. The TC took the value of those trusts, $9,291,372, as part of the marital estate. The TC also added $990,945 of interest that the trusts had received and the remaining unaccrued future interest for a total value of “distribution” paid to the husband of $14,642,475 related to the trusts. The appellate court (AC) determined that the future interest was future interest and, thus, not part of the marital estate. However, the AC let stand the determination that the value of the trusts were to be treated as a distribution to the husband.
Larchick v. Pollock
The trial court (TC) in this case excluded the evidence of a business valuation expert because he had submitted a calculation of value report and was then asked to testify to it. The expert self-admitted that he would not testify to a calculation of value and had explained in his engagement letter that a valuation engagement would be required for testimony. Despite the exclusion by the TC and the self-admission of the inadequacy of a calculation of value for testimony purposes, the appellate court nevertheless remanded the case in part to determine whether the calculation of value met the requirements of Arizona Rule 702 for allowable evidence.
Arizona Appeals Court Says a Calculation of Value Is Not Per Se Unacceptable
The trial court (TC) in this case excluded the evidence of a business valuation expert because he had submitted a calculation of value report and was then asked to testify to it. The expert self-admitted that he would not testify to a calculation of value and had explained in his engagement letter that a valuation engagement would be required for testimony. Despite the exclusion by the TC and the self-admission of the inadequacy of a calculation of value for testimony purposes, the appellate court nevertheless remanded the case in part to determine whether the calculation of value met the requirements of Arizona Rule 702 for allowable evidence.
Asset vs. income approach for valuing goodwill in Tennessee
In Tennessee, personal goodwill is not a marital asset that can be divided between the divorcing parties.
Business Valuation in Divorce Case Law Compendium, Fourth Edition
April 2019 Hardcover, PDF
BVR (editor)
Business Valuation Resources, LLC
With in-depth analysis from BVR’s legal team, the new Business Valuation in Divorce Case Law Compendium, Fourth Edition is an indispensable tool for every divorce professional to stay ahead of the game. Now updated with five new chapters and 40 new cases that have helped shape the landscape of business valuation in divorce proceedings, this must-have compendium offers advice from top business valuation experts.
Learn more >>
Recap of recent BV cases of note
A number of recent cases have emerged that contain various valuation issues.
Five Areas to Explore If You Suspect a Spouse Is Hiding Crypto Assets in a Marital Dispute
In BVR’s recent webinar, Cryptocurrency Fraud and Forensics: What Valuation Professionals Need to Know, forensic and cryptocurrency experts Katerina Gaebel and Mark DiMichael, both of Citrin Cooperman, covered various hot topics on fraud and forensic accounting issues in digital assets and how they affect the business valuation profession. Here, we summarize five key areas where one would find proof of crypto asset fraud in a marital dispute, including interviews, tax returns, bank accounts, credit card statements, and more.
Cela v. Cela
The Appellate Court (AC) upheld the trial court’s decision to accept the value under the income approach adjusted for the exclusion of personal goodwill. The expert for the wife (business owner) had used the asset approach reasoning that all goodwill was personal. The trial court and the AC rejected that approach.