I'm getting a divorce and my attorney needs to determine the value of my husband's machine shop equipment to divide the marital assets.  What should I do? D. Baker, Auburn, CA

Your attorney is correct.  A Certified Machinery & Equipment Appraisal will provide the parties with an accurate, substantiated value that the court can use to determine an equitable division of the assets.  You'll feel confident that you are receiving a value that will hold up to scrutiny by the Court.

I'm buying a medical practice with several pieces of equipment.  My problem is I don't know if the sale price is inflated just because of the equipment.  My CPA suggested I obtain a value of the equipment.  Can you help?  S. Feeley, San Jose, CA

Yes, we can help and are often called upon to determine the fair market value of a business' equipment.  In fact, the SBA requires a value of the equipment before they will fund a loan. Many purchasers seek a Certified Machinery & Equipment Appraisal to determine the worth of the equipment.

I am trying to get a loan from the bank and use my printing equipment as collateral.  The bank has put on the brakes and denied the loan because they say the equipment is not worth anything.  What should I do?   M. Wilson, San Diego, CA

It's not unusual that a lender will deny a loan because the value of the equipment has been based on a depreciation schedule.  You should know that the depreciation schedule does not reflect the true fair market value of your equipment.  Essentially, a depreciation schedule is used by you, your CPA and the IRS...that's it!  We would encourage you to obtain a Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraisal that will hold up to scrutiny with the FDIC, courts, IRS and others.