Business valuation fees for family law, questions answered

For negotiation, mediation and property-settlement discussions, the Settlement Valuation is a fixed fee for one reasonably straightforward business or ownership interest with complete and reliable records: $1,495 + GST for a business with annual turnover under $2 million, $2,495 + GST from $2 million to under $3 million or $3,495 + GST from $3 million to $10 million (over $10 million, quoted in writing before work starts). Including GST, the fixed fees are $1,644.50, $2,744.50 or $3,844.50. The Settlement Valuation is prepared for negotiation and mediation purposes. It is not prepared for filing or reliance as expert evidence in court. Additional entities and other work outside the scope are priced before they begin.

For proceedings, the Family Law Expert Valuation is a fixed fee of $4,495 + GST ($4,944.50 including GST) for one reasonably straightforward business with complete and reliable records. Engagement is subject to an initial conflict and suitability assessment, review of the proposed instructions and acceptance by the appointed expert. The fixed fee applies to one reasonably straightforward business with complete and reliable records, and the scope is confirmed in writing before work begins. Court attendance, formal questions and expert conferences are priced separately at the rates on this page.

Yes, for the scope described: one reasonably straightforward business or ownership interest with complete and reliable records. The Settlement Valuation is $1,495 + GST for a business with annual turnover under $2 million, $2,495 + GST from $2 million to under $3 million or $3,495 + GST from $3 million to $10 million (over $10 million, quoted in writing before work starts). The Family Law Expert Valuation is $4,495 + GST. If the enquiry shows something materially different, such as several related entities that each need valuing, we say so and price it before starting. If something outside that scope only becomes apparent after work has begun, we say so and agree any additional work in writing before doing it, as the terms of engagement set out.

Only work outside the fixed scope, at the rates in the table above: an additional entity, formal questions and conferences, court attendance, and complex or disputed records. Where one of these can be seen at the scope stage we tell you then; where it arises later we tell you before doing the work.

Yes, in full, if you upgrade within three months. If you first obtain a Settlement Valuation and later require a Family Law Expert Valuation, the full settlement fee you paid will be credited when you upgrade within three months. You pay only the difference: $3,000 + GST after a $1,495 Settlement Valuation, $2,000 + GST after a $2,495 one or $1,000 + GST after a $3,495 one (over $10 million turnover, the difference is quoted in writing). The expert report is a separate engagement, subject to the same conflict and suitability assessment as any other. The appointed expert independently reviews the material, may ask for further information and forms their own opinion.

No. All fees on this site are exclusive of GST, which is added to each invoice at the applicable rate. Including GST, the Settlement Valuation is $1,644.50, $2,744.50 or $3,844.50, depending on turnover (over $10 million, GST is added to the fee quoted in writing), and the Family Law Expert Valuation is $4,944.50.

That is set by the agreement between the parties or by the Court's orders, and your lawyer will advise on what applies. Commonly the parties share the fee, but the arrangement varies. Tell us what has been agreed or ordered in the enquiry and we will confirm the invoicing approach in the engagement letter.

Nothing outside the engagement letter. Both services are fixed fees for the defined scope, and additional work is charged at the rates on this page. Disbursements, such as travel for a site visit you request, are not included in the fixed fees and will need to be reimbursed.

No. The initial enquiry, the conflict check and the scope review are free, and so is a 15-minute consultation about your business before you choose a report. Nothing is charged, and no analysis begins, until you are engaged under a written engagement letter or quotation.