How We WorkPast CasesLRA’s professional staff has worked on appraisal projects of every type, as well as arbitration and mediation cases. Here are a few examples of the work we’ve done for our clients. Estate Tax Planning ProjectsLRA was hired by a well-respected CPA firm to value a confidential multi-million dollar estate that included a ranch, hotels, offices, condominium units, and retail buildings. The appraisal would ultimately be turned in to the IRS. The client asked LRA to value the undivided interest in the portfolio as of a retrospective Date of Value. Because of our extensive research and experience with similar cases, LRA was able to substantially discount for partial ownership interest and blockage (market absorption).Our efforts were able to save the client’s estate millions of dollars in estate taxes. Additionally, LRA has always been able to defend our value conclusions under IRS scrutiny.LRA provided property appraisals to assist in the estate planning for a high net worth multi-generational transfer of multiple property types in Louisiana and Texas that included partial interest or fractional interest valuations. This information will be submitted in tax returns to the IRS.LRA completed a complex appraisal of the charitable contribution involving a multi-generational transfer of thousands of acres into a conservation easement. This property contained an historic residence and also served as a natural habitat for an endangered wildlife species.Eminent Domain CasesA confidential client hired LRA to value an approximately 40 acre site in the greater Houston metro area. The property was to be acquired for flood control improvements. LRA researched the market and confirmed comparable sales transactions and listings. LRA worked in conjunction with the client’s eminent domain attorney and prepared a written appraisal detailing the property’s highest and best use, fair market value before and after the taking and damages as a result of the taking.Additionally, LRA provided expert witness testimony in the Special Commissioner’s Hearing which resulted in the Commissioners awarding our client an additional $6 million dollars in compensation.Cameron Boone and James Weiss have testified in special commissioners’ hearings and trials involving U.S. Highway 290 expansion, Grand Parkway Segment E expansion, and the North Tarrant Express improvement project. In each case their testimony has earned the client a substantial increase in settlement over the original offer.In a condemnation jury trial against a local municipality, our client received an award 5 times that of the initial offer based on our testimony.We provided testimony in an inverse condemnation trial for a client whose property had been affected by the condemnation and building of a road on the property adjacent to theirs. The client was awarded a sizeable settlement for the damages to their property.Other CasesOur testimony and property appraisals helped secure a client a multi-million dollar law suit settlement that involved multiple properties in the Houston area and several golf courses.We provided expert witness testimony for a property owner of a single family residence seeking compensation for stigma damages related to the use of the property by a tenant as a clandestine laboratory. The client received an additional $20,000 in summary judgment as a result of our analysis.
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