Short answer: Often yes — you can ask a co-heir to reimburse you for an appraisal before completing a buyout, but whether you can force reimbursement depends on how the appraisal was ordered, who is the estate fiduciary, any prior agreement among heirs, and whether a court (probate or civil) becomes involved.

How this commonly works in Connecticut

When family members divide estate property by buying out one another, an appraisal is a common tool to set a fair price. Who pays that appraisal and whether you can require reimbursement depends on the context:

• If the appraisal was ordered by the estate’s personal representative (executor or administrator) as a necessary estate administration expense, it is typically treated as an estate expense and can be paid from estate funds before distributions. For general information about probate procedures, see the Connecticut Probate Court site: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/.
• If one co-heir independently hired and paid for the appraisal to move a private buyout forward, that co-heir can propose a reimbursement or an offset to the buyout price. The other heir must agree to that arrangement, or you can pursue the issue in court.
• If the property is jointly owned and heirs cannot agree, a partition or related civil action may be necessary. Connecticut’s partition statutes govern judicial partition remedies: see Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-495 (Partition): https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/statute/section_052-495.htm. A court resolving ownership disputes can allocate costs and fees as it sees fit.

Key legal and practical points

1) Who ordered and paid for the appraisal matters.

If the estate’s fiduciary ordered the appraisal as part of inventory, valuation, or to facilitate sale/distribution, the cost is more easily characterized as an estate expense. Paid from the estate, it reduces the estate’s net value before distributions.

2) Absent an agreement, you cannot unilaterally force reimbursement without a legal basis.

If you paid the appraisal personally (and not through the estate) and the co-heir refuses to reimburse, you have several options: (a) negotiate an offset (reduce the buyout price by the co-heir’s share of the appraisal); (b) ask the probate court during accounting to order contribution if the appraisal was necessary for administration; or (c) bring a civil claim for contribution or unjust enrichment if appropriate.

3) Courts can apportion appraisal costs when resolving disputes.

In partition or accounting proceedings, courts may allocate expenses that preserved or determined the property’s value. See Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-495 regarding partition remedies and procedures: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/statute/section_052-495.htm. A judge can order one party to reimburse another if the court finds the expense benefited the interests of all heirs.

4) Written agreements win.

Before ordering an appraisal, get co-heirs to agree in writing who will pay and how reimbursement or offsets will work. A signed agreement avoids most disputes and is enforceable in court.

Typical scenarios (hypothetical examples)

Example A — Appraisal ordered by the executor: Alice is the personal representative and hires an appraiser to value a house for the estate inventory. The $1,800 fee is paid from estate funds. Result: appraisal is an estate expense; reimbursement is not required from a co-heir directly because the estate paid.

Example B — Appraisal paid by one co-heir for a private buyout: Bob pays $2,000 to get a market value so he can buy out Carol. Carol refuses to reimburse. Result: Bob can negotiate to reduce Carol’s share of the buyout price by her share of the appraisal, ask the probate court to require contribution (if it was necessary for administration), or pursue a civil claim for contribution/unjust enrichment.

Practical steps to protect yourself

1. Document who ordered the appraisal, why it was needed, and the appraiser’s invoice.
2. Ask the estate fiduciary to pay the cost from estate funds if the appraisal serves estate administration.
3. Get a written pre-buyout agreement that allocates appraisal costs and explains how any reimbursement or offset will work.
4. Offer reasonable options: split the fee, reduce the buyout price, or sign a promissory agreement for repayment.
5. If the co-heir refuses, consider mediation or a petition to the probate court for guidance; as a last resort, consider civil litigation (cost-benefit analysis first).

Where to look for Connecticut authority and help

• Connecticut Probate Courts — general procedures and local probate contacts: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/.
• Connecticut General Statutes on partition (judicial remedies when co-owners can’t agree): Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-495.
• For forms, clerk information, and local filing rules, contact the probate court in the district where the decedent lived or where the property is located (use the Probate Courts site above).

When to consult an attorney

Talk to a Connecticut probate or real estate attorney when:

• Heirs cannot reach agreement about payment or buyout terms.
• The appraisal cost is substantial relative to the property value.
• You suspect the appraisal was unnecessary or the appraiser’s independence is in question.
• Litigation or a partition action appears likely.

Helpful Hints

• Get the appraisal engagement in writing and identify who ordered and who will pay.
• Ask the appraiser for a concise, court-ready report in case you later need it for a probate or partition proceeding.
• Keep receipts and communications. A paper trail strengthens any claim for reimbursement.
• Consider a neutral mediator if emotions make negotiation difficult.
• Compare the appraisal cost to potential litigation costs — sometimes absorbing a small fee avoids much larger disputes.
• If you are an executor, document why the appraisal was necessary in the estate file to justify payment from estate funds.