Home Inspections: Not Just for Potential Buyers, But Now For Potential Divorcees

No one wants to enter a divorce negotiation without full knowledge of the value of their marital assets. Being fully informed of this is both beneficial to the spouses involved as well as their attorneys. New York Times published “BUCKS; Home Work in a Divorce” written by Jennifer Saranow Schultz, which encourages divorcing couples to pay for an inspection of their home. The article notes that Kelly Lisa, a law instructor at Vanderbilt Law School has been educating home inspectors, real estate professionals, lawyers and judges on the importance of home inspections in divorce since 2008. Ms. Murray emphasizes the differences between simply having your house appraised and paying a little extra for a full inspection.

The article notes that appraisers do not necessarily take into account the repairs a home may need such as mold, roofing, water damage etc. This information can be crucial in obtaining an accurate estimate on the value of your home. The article also points out that “home-related issues” were a common theme among divorced couples looking to reopen their divorce. Also be aware that failing to get an inspection can result in some difficulties if you are unable to settle and need judicial intervention. This is mainly because neglecting to obtain a proper inspection is “done at your own risk,” and a Court is unlikely to be very sympathetic, especially if you had the opportunity to do so.

So, If you are in the process of filing for divorce and need some guidance on how to protect your assets as well as being fully informed on how much they are worth,Long Island Attorney Jay D. Raxenberg can help