Professional business valuation and appraisal services for litigation, divorce proceedings, shareholder disputes, and estate planning. Expert testimony and comprehensive reporting for legal professionals throughout New England.
Business valuation provides the foundation for resolving disputes involving closely-held businesses, partnership interests, and professional practices. Our valuations support attorneys in litigation, divorce proceedings, shareholder disputes, estate matters, and buy-sell agreement disputes.
With extensive experience in vocational rehabilitation and forensic economics, Christopher Skerritt brings a unique perspective to business valuation, particularly in cases involving professional practices, service businesses, and companies where key-person issues affect value. Our analyses address both economic value and the human capital factors that drive business performance.
We employ the three standard approaches to business valuation, selecting the most appropriate methods based on the business type, available data, and the purpose of the valuation.
Valuation of medical practices, law firms, accounting firms, and other professional services requires specialized knowledge of industry-specific factors, including:
Divorce valuations require careful consideration of:
Oppression and dissent cases involve unique considerations:
Our business valuation experience spans multiple industries and business structures:
A: We typically need 3-5 years of financial statements (preferably audited or reviewed), tax returns, general ledger detail, accounts receivable and payable aging, fixed asset listings, and any existing buy-sell agreements or prior valuations. For professional practices, we also need patient/client lists, referral source information, and partnership/employment agreements.
A: The valuation date depends on the purpose and legal requirements. For divorce cases, it may be the filing date, separation date, or trial date depending on jurisdiction. For shareholder disputes, it's often the date of the triggering event. We work with attorneys to determine the most appropriate date based on case facts and applicable law.
A: Discount application depends on the standard of value and purpose of the valuation. In fair market value contexts, discounts may be appropriate. In fair value situations (such as dissenting shareholder cases), discounts may be limited or prohibited. We analyze each case based on applicable law and valuation standards.
A: We analyze factors such as the practitioner's personal reputation, referral sources, non-compete agreements, practice systems, and transferability to determine what portion of goodwill is personal (non-transferable) versus enterprise (transferable with the business). This is particularly important in divorce cases where personal goodwill may not be marital property.
A: Yes, we can often provide preliminary value ranges within 5-7 business days based on basic financial information. This helps attorneys assess case economics and settlement positions early in the process. Full valuation reports typically require 3-4 weeks depending on complexity and information availability.
A: Yes, I regularly provide expert witness testimony in state and federal courts throughout New England. My testimony covers valuation methodology, key assumptions, and responds to challenges from opposing experts. I'm experienced in both deposition and trial testimony in business valuation matters.
Our business valuation expertise supports attorneys across multiple practice areas:
Business valuations for shareholder oppression, partnership disputes, and breach of fiduciary duty cases.
Learn More →Marital asset valuations, professional practice appraisals, and closely-held business valuations for equitable distribution.
Estate tax valuations, gift tax planning, and succession planning valuations for family businesses and professional practices.
Lost business value calculations, breach of contract damages, and business interruption loss quantification.
Contact us for a consultation about your business valuation needs.
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