Fulcrum’s personnel have significant experience serving as a neutral to help parties resolve controversies. When the underlying dispute is a financial or economic factual matter (vs. an interpretation of the law), an appraiser or a CPA is the best person to provide reliable information to help the parties reach a resolution. In each of the items listed below, Fulcrum has dozens of successful projects in which our personnel:

  • In a family law context, valued a closely held business that will be retained by only one spouse;
  • In a shareholder buyout, determine the price to be paid;
  • In a business dissolution matter performed under state law, perform the appraisal of the company using the statutory standard (e.g., California Corporations Code §2000);
  • In a purchase price adjustment situation, service as the arbitrator required under the purchase agreement; and
  • When a corporate investigation is needed under court supervision, serve as an examiner or special master to obtain information the Court desires.

Why we are better

  • Many neutral valuation assignments are done to save money, and sometimes to maintain continuing relationships. Some firms, (particularly larger firms) do not have the price and relationship sensitivity that we are able to employ.
  • There is no substitute for experience, which enables our project leader to obtain the respect of the parties and/or the Court.
  • Having done more of these projects than others, we know (and avoid) the potential pitfalls. For example, while a non-lawyer expert may have the right technical skill, those inexperienced in performing this work do not understand the requirement in setting up the project correctly, and in conducting communications openly. Projects done by those inexperienced in this arena have their conclusions and engagements derailed.
  • To have the necessary credibility, valuations should be performed using the applicable valuation standards. Sadly, many so-called appraisers do not follow (or perhaps even understand) the requirements needed to have ones’ conclusions be accepted.
  • Most appraiser and accountants, even if otherwise skilled, do not work well with attorneys who are aggressively advocating their client’s position. In contrast, we work with lawyers daily, which allows us to keep the process controlled and on track.