Hourly Fee For Testimony

[Bryan Reynolds]

If you are new to this type of work it may to your advantage to take a course or seminar. Below is information I have put on a couple of forums regading such a course.



George K. Cox, MAI, SRPA, SRA has thirty-seven years of experience in valuation and consulting, has experience on a national level with extensive experience in litigation-related matters and is past Chair of the Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board, past president of the Bluegrass Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, and the Evansville Chapter of The Society of Real Estate Appraisers.



I know several people on the forum have inquired about George's upcoming Expert Witness course. The edited tape of the trial is complete and the course should be available soon.

To see some sample clips go to the web site and look under Education or New Video Clips.

Anyone currently involved in litigation or considering expanding your business to include expert witness testimony should seriously consider this course.

http://www.georgekcoxvaluationprofessionals.com/


Let me know what you think.


Also another quick question - when considering a course would you rather attend a course over a Friday and Saturday or during the week?


If you want further information about any of the numerous courses let me know.

Bryan S. Reynolds
Reynolds Appraisal Service

 

[Doug in NC]

Also if you are facing a different opinion than yours, which I strongly suggest you are or you would not be going to court, you better insist the attorney who is calling you get a copy of the other opinion so you can study it.

As I haven't done any court work, I hadn't thought of that. "Discovery" I think they call it. Studying the other appraiser's report would be a big help in figuring out why their report was substantially different than your own.

I had a call earlier this year from an attorney. A homeowner had stealthily ordered an appraisal, but did not tell us what the true nature of the appraisal was. A day before the court date, the attorney called and asked if we would show up to support our appraisal. What an inconsiderate request. I would even say that is a stupid thing for an attorney to do (have your "expert" appraiser show up for court unprepared).

 

[Scott Lanz]

$150 hour, 1/2 day minimum.

Scott J. Lanz

 

[Doug Meyer]

Our firm charges $250 for the 1st hour and $150 for the 2nd hour with a 2 hour minimum $400). Payment is at the time of the court appearance. If they dont pay at that time, I could become a hostile witness.

 

[ETex2]

Originally posted by Scott Lanz@Apr 25 2005, 07:34 AM
$150 hour, 1/2 day minimum.

Scott J. Lanz

Same here, and the time begins when I leave the office, and ends when I get back. Phone cosultations with client or attorneys at the same rate. Plus expenses.

 

[Thomas Fiehler]

My fee is $100 per hour, 3 hour minimum plus expenses. A friend interviewed a local MAI about appraising a marina for divorce case and while they agreed to the 10K for the appraisal they balked at the $350 per hour court fee. They hired another appraiser with no designation but she has appraised about 5 marinas in last 3 years. And Bryan-I agree totally with George. He is a very interesting and unique individual. Anybody would likely gain from one of his classes. B) B)

 

[Couch Potato]

I do hope you disclosed to the attorney that this would be your first time in court. I think it is quite clear that there is no such thing as a going rate for court appearances. Only you know what your time is worth. Make sure you charge enough that if the attorney calls with another job after this one that you would feel comfortable giving a similar fee quote.

 

[Bruce Bugno]

Thanks for everyone's input.

I have another question. Regarding the purpose of the appraisal - do you mention that you are providing an opinion of market value for divorce purposes?