Oudheusden v. Oudheusden (I)
Appellate court remands because of trial court’s impermissible double dipping, where trial court awarded wife half of the fair market value of husband’s two solely owned businesses, which represented husband’s sole income stream, and based spousal support on annual income generated by businesses.
Connecticut Appellate Court Remands Because of Impermissible Double Dipping
Appellate court remands because of trial court’s impermissible double dipping, where trial court awarded wife half of the fair market value of husband’s two solely owned businesses, which represented husband’s sole income stream, and based spousal support on annual income generated by businesses.
Takeaways from the inaugural AAML/BVR divorce confab
Family law attorneys and financial experts converged last week in Las Vegas for the first event co-sponsored by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and Business Valuation Resources (BVR).
Appreciation analysis reveals owner’s substantial contribution to company’s success
Appreciation of separate property is a knotty issue whose analysis can be challenging for attorneys and valuators, but a recent Tennessee appeals court decision helps practitioners understand the framework a court may use to decide whether the nonowner spouse has a claim to the increase in value.
Webcast this week of the National Divorce Conference
Couldn’t make it to Vegas for this week’s AAML/BVR National Divorce Conference May 8-10?
Beware of attack on your transactions method
An article in the Spring 2019 issue of Family Lawyer magazine shows how a lawyer can attack a valuation expert’s use of the guideline company transactions method for a small- to medium-size firm.
Important Utah goodwill ruling concerning one-person business
The Utah Court of Appeals recently examined the nature of goodwill in a one-person business and, in so doing, expanded on the state’s goodwill jurisprudence.
The Secrets to Expert Testimony That Engages and Persuades a Court
Some techniques to help prevent experts from imploding during fierce cross-examination.
Daubert Rulings Reflect Courts’ Disparate Views on Gatekeeping Role
As several recent court decisions show, different judges interpret the gatekeeping role, which they assume under Rule 702 and Daubert, very differently. Some courts take a liberal approach while others favor close scrutiny of the expert’s qualifications and proposed opinion.
BVU News and Trends April 2019
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Kress gift tax case signifies approval of tax affecting—at least in federal district court
One aspect that has valuators excited about the Kress v. United States gift tax case is that the federal court that ruled on the taxpayers’ challenge to the IRS’s gift tax assessment accepted valuations from both parties’ experts that applied a C corporation tax rate to value minority shares in an S corporation.
Smith v. Promontory Financial Group, LLC
In buyout dispute, court says parties’ letter of intent states buyout conditions; court relies on amount stated in plaintiff’s debt/equity deal proposal to value subject company, finding parties’ trial experts used methods (DCF and asset accumulation) not suited to valuing subject company.
Delaware Chancery Relies on Deal Proposal Valuation in Adjudicating Buyout Dispute
In buyout dispute, court says parties’ letter of intent states buyout conditions; court relies on amount stated in plaintiff’s debt/equity deal proposal to value subject company, finding parties’ trial experts used methods (DCF and asset accumulation) not suited to valuing subject company.
Kress v. United States signifies approval of S corp tax affecting
In a gift tax case teeming with valuation issues, one notable aspect was that, in valuing the minority shares of an S corporation, both parties’ experts applied a C corporation tax rate to the company’s earnings and the court, without ado, accepted the practice.
Alkayali v. Boukhari
Appeals court upholds valuation of plaintiff’s interest in dissolved company and jury award; plaintiff expert’s analysis of sales transactions of comparable companies was admissible; Pratt’s Stats/DealStats database provided a reliable basis for expert to identify relevant sales, court says.
Court Validates Expert’s Reliance on Pratt’s Stats/DealStats for Sales Transaction Analysis
Appeals court upholds valuation of plaintiff’s interest in dissolved company and jury award; plaintiff expert’s analysis of sales transactions of comparable companies was admissible; Pratt’s Stats/DealStats database provided a reliable basis for expert to identify relevant sales, court says.
Experts comment on recent Brundle ESOP decision
In its recent Brundle opinion (see last week’s coverage), the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, in describing the major actors in the case, included a quote (not attributed) that the ESOP world was “a very incestuous community.”
It’s not just about FMV, Brundle ESOP appeals court ruling shows
“Fair market value” is not the only consideration when it comes evaluating the performance of the ESOP trustee, the 4th Circuit made clear in its recent ruling, on which we reported here last week and which represents another milestone in ESOP case law.
4th Circuit upholds Brundle ESOP valuation and damages findings
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals just affirmed the district court’s ruling against the trustee in the intensely contested Brundle v. Wilmington Trust ESOP case, including the district court’s valuation and damages findings.
Gift Tax Case Suggests Overall Acceptance of S Corp Tax Affecting
In gift tax case requiring valuation of minority shares in S corporation, district court accepts application, by all experts, of C corp-level tax rate to company’s earnings; court, with minor DLOM adjustment, credits valuations by taxpayers’ expert, noting his market approach is “the most sound.”
In re Aerogroup International, Inc.
Bankruptcy court performs allocation analysis to divide proceeds from section 363 asset sale between two competing lenders, finding debtor’s intellectual property is most valuable asset; court notes that, at time of sale, debtor was neither healthy going concern nor subject of forced liquidation.
Kress v. United States
In gift tax case requiring valuation of minority shares in S corporation, district court accepts application, by all experts, of C corp-level tax rate to company’s earnings; court, with minor DLOM adjustment, credits valuations by taxpayers’ expert, noting his market approach is “the most sound.”
Brundle v. Wilmington Trust N.A. (III)
In key ESOP case, 4th Circuit affirms liability and damages findings against ESOP trustee; court says trustee’s reliance on ESOP appraiser’s contemporaneous valuation was not “reasonably justified”; district court used correct measure of damages and justifiable methodology, 4th Circuit finds.
4th Circuit Says Record Supports Liability and Damages Findings Against ESOP Trustee
In key ESOP case, 4th Circuit affirms liability and damages findings against ESOP trustee; court says trustee’s reliance on ESOP appraiser’s contemporaneous valuation was not “reasonably justified”; district court used correct measure of damages and justifiable methodology, 4th Circuit finds.
Recent Daubert rulings show courts’ different takes on the role of gatekeeper
A series of recent Daubert cases illustrate how different courts may interpret the role of “gatekeeper,” which they perform under Rule 702 and Daubert.