Valuation for family law

Dental & healthcare practice valuations for family law

For a family-law property settlement, a dental or healthcare practice is valued by an independent expert on a fair-market-value basis — using adjusted-EBITDA capitalisation — in a report suitable for the Federal Circuit and Family Court, whether as a single expert witness or as a party-appointed valuer.

If you're a dentist going through a separation — or a family lawyer acting for one — you need a valuation that will withstand scrutiny from the other side. That requires genuine independence and practice-specific expertise. We offer both.

Prepared by Juen Phie, CA ANZ · 20+ years advising medical & dental practices · ABN 78 229 105 964

Why independence isn't optional here

In family-law matters, a valuer engaged as a single expert witness owes their duty to the Court, not to either party. A practice broker — whose business is earning commission on sales — has an inherent conflict and cannot credibly fill that role.

We are independent valuers only. We do not broker practice sales. That means our valuation is the same number regardless of who it helps, and it holds up when the other party's advisers test it. For court-related work, that independence is the whole point.

Why dental & healthcare specialisation matters

A generalist valuer treats a practice like any small business. A dental practice isn't one. Its value turns on factors a generalist routinely misses — owner-dentist reliance, the split between principal and associate/hygiene revenue, chair utilisation, referral patterns, equipment lifecycle, and how much goodwill is personal to the departing spouse versus attached to the practice. Getting that wrong materially changes the settlement figure.

Single expert vs party-appointed valuations

• Single expert witness — one independent valuer jointly instructed by both parties, reporting to the Court. Faster and lower-cost; the usual first choice.
• Party-appointed valuer — where each side engages their own expert, typically in more contested matters.

We can act in either capacity. If you're unsure which fits your matter, your solicitor can advise, or we can talk it through.

What's involved

1. Instructions & scope — purpose, valuation date, and single-expert or party-appointed.
2. Information gathering — financial statements, practice records, lease and staffing details.
3. Analysis & valuation — adjusted-EBITDA capitalisation, cross-checked, at fair market value.
4. Report — a documented, Court-ready valuation with our reasoning and assumptions set out.

Typical turnaround: 2–3 weeks from receiving complete information.

Frequently asked questions

How is a business valued in a divorce in Australia?

At fair market value as at the relevant date — for a practice, primarily by capitalising adjusted EBITDA — in a report prepared to professional standards for the Court.

Who pays for the valuation?

For a jointly instructed single expert, the cost is shared between the parties.

Can one expert value the practice for both sides?

Yes — a jointly instructed single expert witness is the standard, cost-effective approach in family law.

How long does it take?

2–3 weeks from receiving complete information.

General information only, not legal or valuation advice for any specific matter.