Tennessee Appeals Court Straddles Goodwill Issue in Divorce
Appeals court finds enterprise goodwill is not a marital asset when the business is a sole proprietorship and orders trial court to produce a valuation of husband’s solo dental practice without “consideration of professional or enterprise goodwill.”
Husband's Roles in Company Negate Need for DLOC
Court affirms valuation of husband’s minority interest in business featuring zero DLOC where husband was key driving force behind business’s success and wielded influence and control; use of asset approach rendered double-dip theory inapplicable.
Gifford v Gifford
New York appellate court finds trial court’s spousal support determination violated double counting rule where expert valued husband’s solely owned engineering company based on an income approach and the business was a service business.
Moore v. Moore
In a first, state high court “cautiously” decides enterprise goodwill is marital property subject to equitable division and affirms that personal goodwill is not; court rejects claim that only professionals can develop personal goodwill in a business.
Court Infers Nature of Goodwill From Nature of Business
Appeals court affirms trial court’s valuation, which implicitly assigned goodwill to business, finding that since the company was not a professional practice it is likely that the company’s, rather than the owner spouse’s, reputation brings in business.
Settele v. Settele
Appeals court rejects claim that accounts receivable used in asset-based business valuation by wife’s expert are analogous to future income stream for purposes of arguing double dip in light of income determination for spousal support award.
Court Validates Zero Goodwill for Naturopathic Practice
State high court affirms trial court’s determination that husband’s naturopathic practice had zero goodwill value based solely on husband’s testimony that a similar practice in the area failed to attract a buyer despite being on the market for a year.
In re Marriage of Hartung
Court rejects income approach for valuing interest in business with low bar of entry and few repeat customers; court also says asset-based valuation following Section 179 tax treatment understates true value of the company and requires upward adjustment.
Asset Approach Avoids Double Counting of Future Earnings
Appeals court affirms trial court’s decision favoring asset approach for valuing owner spouse’s medical practices; unlike income approach, it avoids accounting for owner spouse’s future earning twice, in asset valuation and determination of alimony.
Sieber v. Sieber
Court affirms valuation of husband’s minority interest in business featuring zero DLOC where husband was key driving force behind business’s success and wielded influence and control; use of asset approach rendered double-dip theory inapplicable.
Rabe v. Rabe (II)
Appeals court affirms trial court’s valuation, which implicitly assigned goodwill to business, finding that since the company was not a professional practice it is likely that the company’s, rather than the owner spouse’s, reputation brings in business.
Reedy-Huffman v. Huffman
State high court affirms trial court’s determination that husband’s naturopathic practice had zero goodwill value based solely on husband’s testimony that a similar practice in the area failed to attract a buyer despite being on the market for a year.
Treatment of Debt Skews Valuation of Franchise Business
Appeals court acknowledges impossibility of duplicating calculations underlying trial court’s valuation of husband’s LLC owning McDonald’s franchises but surmises result hinges on treatment of funds from family trust to LLC as debt, rather than equity.
In re Mauer
Appeals court affirms trial court’s decision favoring asset approach for valuing owner spouse’s medical practices; unlike income approach, it avoids accounting for owner spouse’s future earning twice, in asset valuation and determination of alimony.
Expert Fee Dispute Devolves Into Malpractice Claim
In fee dispute, appeals court affirms trial court’s rejection of disgruntled client’s attempt to defend against accounting firm’s suit with allegations of malpractice; client failed to offer expert testimony to support attack on appraiser’s valuation.
Freihage v. Freihage
Appeals court acknowledges impossibility of duplicating calculations underlying trial court’s valuation of husband’s LLC owning McDonald’s franchises but surmises result hinges on treatment of funds from family trust to LLC as debt, rather than equity.
Valuation Combines Elements of Rival Experts’ Cash Flow Analyses
Appeals court defers to trial court’s method of applying one expert’s cap rate to other expert’s cash flow analysis when valuing spouse’s interest in closely held company and says “purposeful” application of minority discount has support among valuators.
Cohen & Company v. Breen
In fee dispute, appeals court affirms trial court’s rejection of disgruntled client’s attempt to defend against accounting firm’s suit with allegations of malpractice; client failed to offer expert testimony to support attack on appraiser’s valuation.