An appraisal is a professional valuation of property such as real estate, personal property, business assets, jewelry, art, or other items by a qualified appraiser. In Arizona divorce cases appraisals are used to establish the value of assets that need to be divided, bought out, or equalized.

Real estate appraisals are the most common in divorce practice. When the family home needs to be valued for a buyout or for equalization purposes a certified real estate appraiser provides the market value opinion.

When parties disagree on value each side can obtain their own appraisal. If the appraisals differ significantly the court may appoint a neutral appraiser or weigh the competing appraisals.