Last updated October 27, 2026
How Is the House Value Decided in a Divorce in Florida?
Short answer: If the spouses agree on a value, that usually settles it. In a contested case the court must value each significant asset, often using an appraisal from a licensed appraiser. A broker's written opinion of value is not an appraisal under Florida law; it shows both of you what the house is likely to sell for, from recent closed sales.
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Tell Gia where the house stands
Share what you know about the house and where the divorce stands. Gia reviews it personally, replies within one business day, and keeps it confidential. She will not contact your spouse or co-owner unless you agree.
Key takeaways
- In a contested Florida divorce, the judgment must identify marital assets, including the individual valuation of significant assets (s. 61.075(3)(b)).
- An appraisal is prepared by a licensed or certified appraiser; a broker's opinion of value may never be called an appraisal (s. 475.612(3)).
- One number both owners can check removes the price from the list of things to argue about.
- Our written opinion of value is prepared by hand from recent closed sales, houses compared with houses and condos with condos, with the sales attached.
Real-estate side only. This is general information, not legal or tax advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading it. PBP Real Estate, LLC is a licensed Florida real estate brokerage (License CQ1064615), not a law firm. Your family-law attorney decides the legal questions in your case, a CPA decides the tax questions, and a lender decides any refinance.
What is the difference between an appraisal and a broker's opinion of value?
Who prepares it, and what it is for.
| Appraisal | Broker's written opinion of value | |
|---|---|---|
| Prepared by | A state-licensed or certified appraiser | A licensed real estate broker |
| Usually ordered by | The court, the attorneys or a lender | The owners |
| Answers | What the property is worth on a stated date, to appraisal standards | What the house is likely to sell for in today's market, and how fast |
| Florida law | Regulated as an appraisal | "In no event" may be called an appraisal (s. 475.612(3)) |
Which one your case needs, and when, is your family-law attorney's call. Many couples use both: an appraisal for the court file and a market opinion to set the list price.
Why does one number for both owners work better than two?
Because two numbers start a negotiation, and one number ends it. When each owner brings their own figure, the list price becomes a compromise between two people instead of a reading of the market. A house priced to a compromise usually sits, then sells later for less. A number built from closed sales neither of you chose is easier for both of you to accept.
What does PBP's written opinion of value include?
The number and everything behind it.
- Recent comparable closed sales near the house, houses compared with houses and condos with condos, attached so both of you can check them.
- The current competition: the homes a buyer could choose instead today.
- The property's condition and the carrying costs that matter for timing.
- Gia Freer's name on it. It is prepared by hand within one business day, and no automated estimate is used.
Both owners and both attorneys can read the same document. The home value page explains how we price a home.
Will a family court rely on a broker's opinion of value?
That is for your attorney and the court, not for us. We never claim a court will accept or rely on our opinion. What we can say is what it is: a licensed broker's written reading of the current market, built from closed sales, that tells both owners what a sale is likely to bring.
Related
- Selling a house during a divorce in Florida: the hub
- How a spouse buyout works
- Selling before or after the divorce
- One agent working with both owners
- Selling during divorce in Broward County
One number you can both look at
Tell us about the house, and we will prepare one written opinion of value you can both read. Gia Freer, our Broker of Record, reviews it personally and replies within one business day. No automated estimate is produced, and what you share stays confidential.
Have Gia review my options or call (561) 395-8418. Prefer to read first? See how we price a home.
General information from a licensed Florida real estate brokerage; it is not legal or tax advice. Your family-law attorney decides the legal questions. We never pay attorneys for referrals.
House value in a divorce: questions
Who decides the value of the house in a Florida divorce?
If the spouses agree on a value, that usually settles it. In a contested case the court must find a value for each significant asset, often with evidence from a licensed appraiser. Your family-law attorney decides what evidence to use.
Is a realtor's market analysis the same as an appraisal?
No. Under section 475.612(3), a broker's comparative market analysis, price opinion or opinion of value may never be called an appraisal. An appraisal is prepared by a state-licensed or certified appraiser.
Will the family court accept PBP's opinion of value?
We do not make that claim. What a court accepts as evidence is a question for your attorney. Our opinion of value tells both owners what the house is likely to sell for in today's market.
How long does PBP's written opinion of value take?
Gia Freer prepares it by hand within one business day, with the closed sales it rests on attached.
Sources and legal references
This page summarizes Florida family law, real-estate law and federal tax rules for homeowners. The primary sources are below; for your own case, rely on your family-law attorney, and on a CPA for tax.
- Florida Constitution, Article X, Section 4: Homestead; exemptions — The Florida Senate
- Section 61.075, Florida Statutes: Equitable distribution of marital assets and liabilities — Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
- Section 61.077, Florida Statutes: Setoffs or credits upon sale of marital home — Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
- Section 689.15, Florida Statutes: Estates by survivorship — Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
- Section 475.278, Florida Statutes: Authorized brokerage relationships — Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
- Section 475.612, Florida Statutes: Certification of appraisers (opinion of value is not an appraisal) — Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
- 26 U.S.C. 121: Exclusion of gain from sale of principal residence — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- 26 U.S.C. 1041: Transfers of property between spouses or incident to divorce — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- IRS Publication 523, Selling Your Home — Internal Revenue Service
- Florida DBPR license record: PBP Real Estate, LLC, real estate corporation CQ1064615 — Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Florida DBPR license record: Gia Freer, real estate broker BK689801 — Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Florida DBPR license record: Grant Freer, real estate broker BK3077984 — Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation