A common roadblock to a peaceful settlement is a fundamental disagreement about value. You may believe your business is worth $1 million, while your spouse believes it's worth $3 million. This isn't just a disagreement; it's a multi-million-dollar gap that can feel impossible to bridge.

Trying to "win" this argument often leads directly to expensive litigation, where both sides hire their own expert witnesses to battle it out in court—a process that benefits no one but the experts.

A more strategic and cost-effective approach is to agree to use a neutral, joint expert.

Here’s how it works: You and your spouse, with the help of your attorneys, agree to hire a single, credentialed expert to value the asset in question. This could be:

• A business valuator for a company.

• A real estate appraiser for a commercial property or marital home.

• A forensic accountant to analyze a complex financial issue.

Because this expert is neutral and works for both of you, their opinion carries significant weight. Their valuation provides an objective, unbiased number that can serve as the baseline for your negotiation. While you can still negotiate the final division, you are no longer arguing about the fundamental value of the asset itself. This process removes a major source of conflict and allows you to focus on finding a fair solution.

Understanding your options is the first step toward a more peaceful resolution. To learn the specific strategies for settling your case out of court, download our free guide: The Path to Peace: A Guide to Settling Your High-Asset Divorce Out of Court.