Services
Judicial & Court Appraisals in Costa Rica
Technical valuations as expert evidence in civil, family, and administrative court proceedings
Courts · Lawyers Founder: CFIA license ICO-3075 Quote in under 24 hours
When do you need a judicial appraisal?
A judicial appraisal is the technical evidence that determines the value of an asset within a legal proceeding. It is needed whenever the value of property, machinery, or assets is the subject of judicial controversy. Divorce with marital property division: the settlement requires knowing the value of the marital assets, because each spouse shares in their net value. Partition among heirs in dispute: when probate cannot be resolved by agreement and goes to court. Commercial litigation with value dispute: bankruptcies, forced sales, foreclosures, corporate dissolution. Seizure and auction: setting the base price for judicial auction. Eminent domain / expropriation: valuation of properties subject to expropriation by MOPT, CNE, AyA, ICE, ARESEP, or municipalities, under Expropriation Law (Law 7495, comprehensively reformed by Law 9286). Damage lawsuits: quantification of property damages. A party may submit an expert's opinion or a technical report; when the judge appoints the expert, the appointment is made from the Judicial Branch's own experts or its official list. Our reports are signed by our own appraisers. Díaz Peritajes is a firm of several professionals, founded by Ing. José Alberto Díaz V., CFIA-licensed since 1982 (license ICO-3075).
Types of court proceedings where it applies
We work across all circuits and matters in Costa Rica's judicial system. Civil court: property disputes, mortgage foreclosures, auctions, co-ownership disputes, easements, enforcement of purchase-sale contracts. Family court: divorces, judicial separations, marital property liquidation, alimony based on net worth. Administrative (contentious-administrative) court: expropriations by state institutions, lawsuits against municipalities over cadastral value, claims against the State. Agrarian court: farm disputes, rural boundaries, IDA/INDER land settlers. Private arbitration: commercial arbitration centers and contractual disputes. Contentious notarial proceedings: notarial probates that turn into disputes. In each matter we adapt methodology and report format to the requirements of the corresponding judicial operator.
What the expert report includes
Every judicial appraisal is prepared to be examined at the hearing. Introduction with expert's qualifications: CFIA number, registration on the Judicial Branch's list of experts if the appraiser has it, relevant experience. Purpose of the appraisal: specific question the expert is asked to answer. Asset description: registry data, cadastral plan, geographic location, physical characteristics, photographs. Methodology applied: justification of the method (comparison, cost, income capitalization) according to the case and asset type. Market analysis: real comparables with registry documentation. Detailed calculation memorandum: every figure traceable and auditable. Conclusions: response to the technical question posed. Attached documents: ownership certification, cadastral plan, photographs, tabulations. Throughout the report, every figure can be explained and supported at the hearing.
Our methodology for court
Judicial appraisals require higher technical demands than commercial appraisals because they must withstand opposing counsel's challenges. We apply International Valuation Standards (IVS) and CFIA standards with reinforced rigor. Exhaustive documentation of comparables: every comparable cited includes legal ID number, property folio, and transaction date, so any party can verify it. Inspection with witnesses or notarial record when the case warrants. Geo-referenced photographs with GPS coordinates and timestamps. Method-sensitive analysis: when multiple methods apply, we calculate by several and justify the final result. Availability for amendments: when the court requests clarifications or supplementary reports, we respond within procedural deadlines. Expert witness appearance: the appraiser who signed the report appears in court when the process requires, explaining methodology and answering questions from judge and parties.
Expert evidence for court and nationwide coverage
Our report can be submitted as party expert evidence in civil proceedings (Code of Civil Procedure, art. 44.1), and the judge weighs it together with the other evidence (art. 41.5). Other areas, such as family law, follow their own procedural codes; your attorney will tell you how to submit it. In addition, Ing. José Alberto Díaz V. is registered on the Judicial Branch's Official List of Experts; it is the court that decides which expert to appoint in each case. In any case, the appraiser can defend the report at the hearing. Circuit coverage: San José Judicial Circuit I, San José Judicial Circuit II, Alajuela Judicial Circuit, Cartago Judicial Circuit, Heredia Judicial Circuit, Limón Judicial Circuit, Puntarenas Judicial Circuit, Guanacaste Judicial Circuit, Pérez Zeledón Judicial Circuit (southern zone). When a case requires travel outside our bases in Pérez Zeledón and Curridabat, we adjust fees for per diems. Hearing availability is coordinated in advance according to court schedule.
What's included
What's included?
Every report is prepared and digitally signed by a CFIA-licensed appraiser, with an on-site inspection and technical support for every figure.
- Report to submit as expert evidence in court proceedings
- Founder registered on the Judicial Branch's Official List of Experts
- Appraiser available to defend the report at the hearing
- Solid technical foundation to withstand opposing counsel challenges
- Available for expert witness appearances at hearings
- Experience in divorces, contested probates, and expropriations
- Inspection with geo-referenced photographs for traceability
- Nationwide coverage in all judicial circuits
- Over 20 years of experience and a report signed by a CFIA-licensed professional
Before you request
Frequently asked questions
The most common questions about this service. If yours is not here, message us and we will reply in under 24 hours.
Have another question about your case?
Message us on WhatsAppHow much does a judicial appraisal cost in Costa Rica?
It depends on case complexity, asset type and quantity, and availability for hearing appearances. Judicial appraisals are usually quoted higher than standard appraisals due to evidentiary responsibility, foundation requirements, and potential amendments. See what affects the price of an appraisal. Contact us with case details (type of lawsuit, asset, court) for an exact quote.
How long does the expert report take?
Typically 3 to 7 business days from inspection, adjusted to the court's timeframe. When the judge sets a shorter deadline due to hearing schedule, we prioritize. For urgent processes with imminent hearings, we deliver in 48-72 hours with priority surcharge.
Can the expert be appointed directly by the judge?
In some proceedings the judge appoints their own expert from the Judicial Branch list; Ing. José Alberto Díaz V. is registered on that list, so the court can appoint him. In addition, either party can submit a party expert report (Code of Civil Procedure, art. 44.1), which the judge weighs together with the other evidence (art. 41.5). In that case, the report is signed by one of our appraisers, who can defend it at the hearing. Your attorney will advise which path fits your case.
What documents does the expert need?
Copy of the judicial file (or relevant portions), resolution ordering the appraisal, ownership certification, cadastral plan, and physical access to the asset. If any is missing, we guide you on how to obtain it from the National Registry or the court.
Can you appear at hearings to defend the report?
Yes. The appraiser who signed the report appears as expert witness to explain methodology, findings, and answer questions from judge and parties. It's a frequent appearance in divorce proceedings with liquidation, expropriations, and commercial disputes. Coordinated in advance by hearing date and time.
Do you serve cases outside the GAM or in rural areas?
Yes. Nationwide coverage: every judicial circuit in the country. We frequently work in Liberia (Guanacaste), Puntarenas, Limón, Pérez Zeledón, and agrarian circuits. Fees adjust for per diems when travel outside our Pérez Zeledón and Curridabat bases is required.
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