Do-over case may need an active/passive appreciation analysis
In an Alaska divorce case, an appellate court (the state's Supreme Court) remanded the case back to the state’s Superior Court because the findings on the husband’s business as marital property were not detailed enough to allow for appellate review.
Lymburner v. Axhelm
In a divorce case in Alaska, the Supreme Court determined that the wife’s expert’s valuation was superior to the husband’s expert’s valuation. Thus, the value of the business was not at issue on a remand. What was at issue was whether some or all of the businesses were separate property rather than marital property as the lower court ruled.
Alaska Supreme Court Remands for Determination of Marital Property But Affirms Lower Court’s Acceptance of Wife’s Business Value
In a divorce case in Alaska, the Supreme Court determined that the wife’s expert’s valuation was superior to the husband’s expert’s valuation. Thus, the value of the business was not at issue on a remand. What was at issue was whether some or all of the businesses were separate property rather than marital property as the lower court ruled.
Court sets fair value of 50% interest in realty firm
In Connecticut, a real estate firm had a shareholder agreement that allowed for an independent appraisal if one of the owners wanted out.
Buccieri v. New Hope Realty, Inc.
This case arose out of a dispute between the surviving family and a trustee of the founders of New Hope Realty Inc. The parties could not agree on the management and operations of New Hope Realty. On July 7, 2020, a dissolution proceeding was commenced. The defendants elected to purchase the plaintiffs’ shares. Subsequently, the parties could not agree as to the fair value of the plaintiffs’ interest. The plaintiffs asked the court to determine the value. The court held hearings including testimony from expert witnesses from both parties and determined the fair value.
Court Determines Fair Value of 50% Interest in Real Estate Company—Parties Could Not Agree on Value
This case arose out of a dispute between the surviving family and a trustee of the founders of New Hope Realty Inc. The parties could not agree on the management and operations of New Hope Realty. On July 7, 2020, a dissolution proceeding was commenced. The defendants elected to purchase the plaintiffs’ shares. Subsequently, the parties could not agree as to the fair value of the plaintiffs’ interest. The plaintiffs asked the court to determine the value. The court held hearings including testimony from expert witnesses from both parties and determined the fair value.
New case affirms treatment of goodwill in Indiana divorces
In Indiana, enterprise goodwill is includable in the marital estate, but personal goodwill is not (see BVR’s Charting Goodwill map).
Hester v. Hester
In this Virginia divorce case, the court, among other things, did not accept the valuation of either valuator and instead determined its own value crafted from the two valuations that were submitted. The result, by chance or otherwise, resulted in “splitting the baby.”
Divorce Matter Results in the Court ‘Splitting the Baby’ to Value a 20% Interest in an S Corp. Medical Practice
In this Virginia divorce case, the court, among other things, did not accept the valuation of either valuator and instead determined its own value crafted from the two valuations that were submitted. The result, by chance or otherwise, resulted in “splitting the baby.”
Dispelling the ‘hired gun’ perception of testifying experts
A question often comes up: “How can two qualified and experienced business valuation experts analyze the same company and come up with widely disparate values?”
Cain v. Cain
The Nebraska District Court in this case accepted the value of the wife’s expert testimony at trial as to the value of the husband’s 50% interest in his business. Both appraisers included DLOMs in determining value, and both appraisers utilized appropriate valuation methodologies. The difference in the two valuations is a matter of the difference in professional judgment.
The Nebraska District Court’s Determination of the Value of a Husband’s Business Is Affirmed—Appraisers Used Acceptable Valuation Methodology
The Nebraska District Court in this case accepted the value of the wife’s expert testimony at trial as to the value of the husband’s 50% interest in his business. Both appraisers included DLOMs in determining value, and both appraisers utilized appropriate valuation methodologies. The difference in the two valuations is a matter of the difference in professional judgment.
Valuing Small Owner-Operated Business
Small owner-operated businesses have unique characteristics that are fundamentally different from other businesses. These differences should be taken into consideration when performing valuations. Join David Coffman for a dive into those characteristics and a detailed description on how they impact valuation procedures and conclusions. Learn about the market for small owner-operated business valuations.
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.
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.
Scalia v. Reliance Trust Co.
In an evolving ESOP case, court says DOL’s allegations that ESOP trustee and various directors engaged in breaches of fiduciary duties and caused the ESOP to enter a prohibited transaction (i.e., overpaid for company stock) require “fact-intensive inquiry” and cannot be resolved on summary judgment.
Court Says DOL Claims in ESOP Case Require ‘Fact-Intensive Inquiry’ and Denies Motions for Summary Judgment
In an evolving ESOP case, court says DOL’s allegations that ESOP trustee and various directors engaged in breaches of fiduciary duties and caused the ESOP to enter a prohibited transaction (i.e., overpaid for company stock) require “fact-intensive inquiry” and cannot be resolved on summary judgment.
Vinoskey reply brief refutes DOL’s stock value and control claims
Argument continues in the contentious Vinoskey ESOP litigation, which is now in the 4th Circuit where the remaining defendant, Adam Vinoskey, has appealed the district court’s liability and damages findings.
BVU News and Trends December 2020
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
DOL appellate brief pushes back in Vinoskey ESOP litigation
Neither side is letting up in the contentious Vinoskey ESOP litigation that has now moved to the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
ASA, supporting Vinoskey ESOP appeal, aims to correct BV ‘misstatements’
The ASA recently filed an amicus brief in support of the Vinoskey appeal, in which it claims the district court, in ruling against the ESOP trustee and the owner and selling shareholder, Adam Vinoskey, made numerous valuation-related misstatements that required correction.
Defendant in Vinoskey ESOP case files appeal with 4th Circuit
In the contentious Vinoskey ESOP case, one of the defendants, the owner and selling shareholder, Adam Vinoskey, recently appealed the district court’s finding that he was liable for knowingly participating in the trustee defendant’s ERISA violations and was a co-fiduciary for the trustee’s breaches of fiduciary duties.
Key Issues in Valuing Owner Operated Small Businesses
Owner-operated business must be considered in a different framework than many other types of business. Everything from hypothetical transaction (asset sale versus equity interest) to financial objectives (minimize taxable income versus maximize shareholder value) must be considered from a different perspective. Join David Coffman as he discusses rate of return and personal goodwill through this unique lens.
Biton v. Kreinis
In dispute over fair value of plaintiff’s shares, court agrees with parties’ experts on use of capitalization of earnings method to value company; court rejects defense expert’s use of QuickBooks data and post-valuation-date revenue as representative annual revenue; applies key-person discount.
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