Even in the best-case scenario, divorce is a difficult and emotional time for any couple. Besides child custody, deciding the fate of the family home is often one of the major issues and sources of conflict. Not only is there an emotional attachment to the family home, but it is usually the most significant shared asset and the result of years of financial investment for both parties. As a result, most state courts require a recent appraisal as part of the divorce property settlement to establish the value of the property.