Knowing the value of your assets is a key part of creating a fair and balanced Separation Agreement. In many cases, it is easy to agree on what something is worth. For example, you might both know the balance of a savings account or the value of a car based on recent paperwork. However, when it comes to larger or more complex assets, such as a home, a business, or a pension, it can be more difficult to determine an accurate value.

If both spouses are comfortable agreeing on the value of an asset, there may be no need to bring in outside help. You can simply record that value in your agreement and move forward. This can help keep the process faster and more affordable.

An independent appraiser can provide a detailed report on the market value of your home or other significant property. Lawyers often recommend this option for separation and divorce because it offers a reliable, unbiased estimate that both people can trust.

If you decide to go this route, it is usually best to hire the appraiser jointly and specify that the appraisal is for the purpose of separation or divorce. This allows both parties to communicate with the appraiser, ensures the report is prepared with the right context, and helps avoid any perception of bias. A jointly retained appraisal gives you a neutral number that can be used confidently in your negotiations.

A CMA is typically prepared by a real estate agent and compares your home to similar properties that have recently sold in your area. While not as detailed as a professional appraisal, a CMA can give you a general sense of market value and may be helpful as a starting point.

While it may be tempting to use the government-issued property assessment as the value of your home, this approach is generally not recommended for separation purposes. Property assessments are produced for taxation and are based on general market trends and standardized formulas. They do not take into account the specific condition of your home, any recent upgrades, or unique features that may affect its actual market value.

However, if both parties agree that the assessed value is reasonable and accurate, and neither person wants to invest in a professional appraisal, it may be acceptable to use that number as a practical solution. The key is mutual agreement and clarity about how the value was determined.

Online vehicle appraisals are a simple and convenient way to estimate the value of your vehicle. These tools can give you a good sense of what your car is worth in today’s market, which is helpful when preparing your Separation Agreement.

When reviewing vehicle valuations, you will often see two key numbers:

We often recommend estimating your vehicle’s value somewhere between these two figures. This middle ground usually reflects the price you could reasonably expect in a private sale. Choosing a fair and realistic number helps keep the process balanced and makes it easier for both parties to agree.

For consistency, it is a good idea to use the same valuation tool for all family vehicles. This ensures that each vehicle is appraised using the same methodology and avoids confusion or disagreements about why one car might have been valued differently than another. Consistency in valuation methods helps create a clearer and more equitable picture of family property.

If you and your spouse are comfortable agreeing on a value without additional appraisals, you can record that number in your agreement and move forward. However, if there is any uncertainty or disagreement, you may wish to obtain a formal appraisal from a trusted source to avoid potential disputes later.

Here are some online resources you can use to determine the value of your vehicle in Canadian dollars:

If you own a business or corporation, a business valuation can help determine what it is worth. Understanding the value of the business is an important step when preparing your Separation Agreement, especially if one spouse plans to keep the business or buy out the other spouse’s interest.

Business valuations can vary widely in complexity and cost depending on the type and size of the business. For example, a small sole proprietorship may only require a straightforward assessment of its assets and income, while a larger corporation might need a more detailed analysis involving financial statements, future earning potential, and market comparisons.

Although business valuations can be expensive, they may be necessary to ensure that both parties have a clear and accurate understanding of the business’s value. This helps create a fair division of family property and can reduce the risk of future disputes.

We recommend speaking with your accountant or corporate lawyer for guidance on the best approach for your particular situation. They can advise you on whether a formal valuation is needed and help you find a qualified professional to conduct it.

Your pension statement will give you an idea of how much income you may receive each month when you retire, but it does not tell you what the pension is worth today as an asset. To divide your family property fairly, it is important to understand the value of the pension, especially if one spouse wants to keep it.

You do not need to value a pension if you plan to divide it directly with your spouse through a pension split. However, if you would like to keep your pension and buy out your spouse’s share, you will need to know its value as part of the overall property division.

If you are part of a Federal Government pension plan, you can request a pension valuation directly from the plan administrator. For most other types of pensions, you may need to hire a professional to calculate the value. These valuations can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500, depending on the complexity of the plan.

To help you get started, Divii offers an online pension estimator. This tool can give you a sense of your pension’s approximate value and help you explore whether buying out your spouse’s interest is a possibility or whether it makes sense to balance the pension’s value against other family assets. If the estimate suggests this option could work, it may be worth investing in a formal valuation to ensure accuracy and confidence in your decision.

Sometimes, when a support payor runs their own company and can decide how much money to take as personal income, it can be challenging to determine their true earning capacity.

In these cases, it is often helpful to obtain a Guideline Income Report. This type of report analyzes the company’s financials and provides an estimate of the payor’s income for the purposes of calculating child or spousal support under the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

A Guideline Income Report can bring clarity to support discussions and help ensure that support amounts are fair and based on accurate financial information.

Business valuators are often the professionals who prepare these reports. In addition to determining the value of a business for property division, many valuators also have expertise in reviewing corporate financial statements and identifying adjustments needed to calculate an appropriate support income. They can analyze items such as retained earnings, shareholder loans, and personal expenses paid through the business to arrive at a realistic picture of income for support purposes.