The court must determine the fair market value of heirs’ property in a partition case, usually by ordering an appraisal, unless the cotenants agree on value or the court decides an appraisal is not worth the cost.
Sec. 23A.006. DETERMINATION OF VALUE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (c), if the court determines that the property that is the subject of a partition action is heirs' property, the court shall determine the fair market value of the property by ordering an appraisal under Subsection (d). (b) If all cotenants have agreed to the value of the property or to another method of valuation, the court shall adopt that value or the value produced by the agreed method of valuation. (c) If the court determines that the evidentiary value of an appraisal is outweighed by the cost of the appraisal, the court, after an evidentiary hearing, shall determine the fair market value of the property and send notice to the parties of the value. (d) If the court orders an appraisal, the court shall appoint a disinterested real estate appraiser to determine the fair market value of the property assuming sole ownership of the fee simple estate. On completion of the appraisal, the appraiser shall file a sworn or verified appraisal with the court. (e) If an appraisal is conducted under Subsection (d), not later than the 10th day after the date the appraisal is filed, the court shall send notice to each party with a known address, stating: (1) the appraised fair market value of the property; (2) that the appraisal is available at the clerk's office; and (3) that a party may file with the court an objection to the appraisal not later than the 30th day after the date notice is sent, stating the grounds for the objection. (f) If an appraisal is filed with the court under Subsection (d), the court shall conduct a hearing to determine the fair market value of the property not earlier than the 30th day after the date a copy of the notice of the appraisal is sent to each party under Subsection (e), whether or not an objection to the appraisal is filed under Subsection (e)(3). In addition to the court-ordered appraisal, the court may consider any other evidence of value offered by a party. (g) After a hearing under Subsection (f), but before considering the merits of the partition action, the court shall determine the fair market value of the property and send notice to the parties of the value. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 297 (S.B. 499), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.