The litigious society in which we presently operate demands the best in advice from your professionals. It is estimated that one in three will be involved in some court action during their lifetime. For businesses, this percentage is higher. Many lawsuits can be avoided or mitigated by the proper counseling upfront. A professional team representing a CPA, attorney and insurance professional can provide you with the guidance necessary to avoid many of the legal pitfalls.

If the time does arise, however, when you are embroiled in some type of legal action, you need to surround yourself with competent and experienced professionals. We at Proctor, Crook & Crowder, P.A., have many years' experience in litigation support. This includes consulting services all the way through and including expert testimony in the court arena. We have been recognized in many court systems as expert witnesses.

Litigation support may include, but not be limited to the following areas:

• Divorce
• Business Valuation
• Partnership or Corporate Disputes
• Dissolutions
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Embezzlements
• Forensic Investigations

BUSINESS VALUATIONS

A CVA Can Help You Maximize the Value of Your Business. Because a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) understands value, he or she has a unique qualification to help business owners guide their businesses to greater levels of prosperity, and improve company value. That is because value and prosperity, to a great degree, are a function of business risk. Knowing and understanding the business risks are fundamental to providing sound, constructive advice.

A Broad Spectrum of Services
Business valuations are necessary in a broad spectrum of situations of need or adversity. A Certified Valuation Analyst provides services to meet many individual and business valuation requirements.

• Buy/Sell Agreements
• Bankruptcy and Foreclosures
• Charitable Contributions
• Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
• Estate and Gift Taxes
• Obtaining Financing
• Gifting Programs
• Litigation Support
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Succession Planning
• Dissenting Shareholder Actions
• Partner Disputes
• Property Settlements such as those Involved in a Divorce Proceeding

Why Is a Business Valuation Necessary?
Accurate Value Determination - The result of an inaccurate determination, regardless of whether it is high or low, generally leads to undesirable consequences. For instance, if the value is too high, estate taxes will be too high: savvy investors or prospective buyers will usually disregard a value that appears too high. If the value is too low, you can be sure savvy investors or prospective buyers will recognize it and take advantage. Like wise, if you are on the other side of the dispute in a dissenting shareholder action or divorce, you certainly want to know you are receiving a fair value for your interest.