Appraisals for Lawyers & Accountants
Riverbend Appraisals prepares independent, CUSPAP-compliant residential appraisals for family lawyers, estate lawyers, accountants, litigation counsel and insolvency trustees across Southwestern Ontario. Reports are signed by CRA, P.App. designated appraisers, valued as of whatever date your matter requires, and prepared to be relied on as expert evidence.
Who we work with
Family lawyers and mediators
Values as of the date of separation for net family property and equalization, current values for buyouts, or both.
Estate lawyers and executors’ counsel
Date-of-death values for the T1 terminal return, estate administration tax and distribution among beneficiaries.
Accountants and tax advisors
Fair market value at a historical date for change of use, deemed disposition and capital gains reporting to the CRA.
Litigation counsel and insolvency trustees
Independent, well-supported opinions of value for disputes and proceedings, prepared to withstand cross-examination.
What’s inside a court-ready report
Effective date and purpose
The valuation date, the purpose of the report and its intended users, stated up front so there is no ambiguity in court.
Comparable sales and adjustments
Sales from around the effective date, each adjusted for differences, with the reasoning written out.
Inspection and photographs
What the appraiser observed inside and out, with photographs, or how condition was established for a past date.
Market conditions at that date
The state of the local market on the effective date, which matters most for retrospective values.
Signed CUSPAP certification
The appraiser’s signed certification, limiting conditions and designation. Ready to be relied on as expert evidence.
How to refer a client
Send us the basics
Call, email or use the request form with the address, purpose, effective date and your deadline.
We confirm scope and quote
We confirm the assignment with you and quote before any work begins, billed as you instruct.
We arrange the inspection
We coordinate access directly with your client or the person you name, and keep you informed.
Report to counsel
The signed report goes to you and the intended users, and we remain available for questions or testimony.
A direct line for professionals
Reach the appraiser directly to discuss scope, dates or deadlines before you instruct.
Helpful to include
- The property address
- The purpose of the report and who will rely on it
- The effective date, or dates, of value
- Your deadline, and whether a court date is set
- Who to contact for access to the property
- Who the report should be addressed to, and who pays
Questions from counsel
What lawyers, accountants and trustees ask before they instruct us.
Can you value a property as of a past date?
Yes. Retrospective appraisals are a core part of our work: the date of separation in family law matters, the date of death for estates, and historical dates for CRA reporting. We research sales and market conditions as of that date.
Are your reports accepted in court?
Our appraisals comply with the Canadian Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (CUSPAP), the standard recognized by Canadian courts, and are prepared by CRA, P.App. designated appraisers. Aryn Abbot carries professional liability insurance, and our appraisers have expert witness testimony and litigation support experience.
Will the appraiser testify if needed?
Our appraisers have expert witness testimony experience. If your matter may require testimony, tell us when you request the appraisal so we can plan for it.
How quickly can we get a report?
Standard turnaround is 2 to 3 business days from the property inspection. Rush delivery is available for urgent court and filing deadlines. Retrospective valuations that need extensive historical research may take slightly longer.
Can we get both a retrospective and a current value?
Yes. Each valuation date requires its own report, and we can coordinate both as part of a single engagement.
Should each party retain their own appraiser?
The Appraisal Institute of Canada’s recommended practice is for each party to obtain their own independent appraisal, particularly in contested or high-value matters. Some parties agree to rely on a single appraisal for simplicity.
Who pays, and who is the report addressed to?
That is up to you and your client. Tell us who the client is, who the intended users are and who should receive the invoice, and we will quote before any work begins.
Refer a client. We will take it from there.
Send the address, the effective date and your deadline. You or your client will receive a quote before any work begins.
Appraisal services
- Divorce & SeparationCourt-ready valuations of the matrimonial home, as of the date of separation or today.
- Estate & ProbateDate-of-death values for estate administration tax, executors and the final return.
- Capital Gains & CRAFair market value reports for change of use, deemed disposition and rental property sales.
- Mortgage & ResidentialLender-accepted appraisals for purchases, refinancing and private lending.
- Approved LendersThe banks, credit unions and lending platforms that accept our reports.