09/03/2026
Due to my agricultural background, nearly every week I have some type of farm and ranch mediation. I also have attorneys reach out to me, quite frequently, asking me the best way to value equipment on a farm and ranch.
Here is a nutshell of how to best prepare your case, when dealing with these type of assets.
1. Compile a Detailed Asset Inventory
Before calling an appraiser, you must build a comprehensive, itemization of the agricultural operation.
Identify big-ticket assets. Catalog all tractors, combines, row crop sprayers, trailers, and hay balers, etc. Document the exact make, model, year, hours of operation, and Serial Number/VIN for every piece of machinery.
Pull the last 3–5 years of farm tax returns (specifically Schedule F), equipment purchase receipts, current loan balance statements, and depreciation schedules.
Throughout the process, also have your attorney identify assets that are "separate property". Prove the equipment was owned prior to the marriage date or inherited.
2. Retain a Neutral, Certified Appraiser
For mediation, you can rely on local equipment dealers or auctioneers to assist in valuing the assets. Facebook marketplace or similar comps may not be good enough to convince the other party of the value. However, for the values to hold up in a contested hearing in Texas family court, your appraiser must possess specific professional credentials. Look for appraisers holding designations from the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) or the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA).
Before you attend mediation, make sure all of this information is typed out and sent to your attorney. It can expedite your settlement process and save you thousands in attorneys fees. 
