Estate of Thomas A. Fleming, Deceased, Cathy J. Hirt, Independent Successor Executrix - Page 8

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          (9th Cir. 1986), affg. in part and reversing in part T.C. Memo.             
          1983-200).  We are not bound by the formulae and opinions prof-             
          fered by expert witnesses, especially when they are contrary to             
          our judgment.  Silverman v. Commissioner, 538 F.2d 927, 933 (2d             
          Cir. 1976), affg. T.C. Memo. 1974-285; IT&S of Iowa, Inc. v.                
          Commissioner, 97 T.C. 496, 508 (1991).  Instead, we may reach a             
          determination of value based on our own examination of the                  
          evidence in the record.  Lukens v. Commissioner, 945 F.2d 92, 96            
          (5th Cir. 1991), affg. Ames v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1990-87             
          (citing Silverman v. Commissioner, supra).  The persuasiveness of           
          an expert's opinion depends largely upon the disclosed facts on             
          which it is based.  See Tripp v. Commissioner, 337 F.2d 432, 434            
          (7th Cir. 1964), affg. T.C. Memo. 1963-244.  Where experts offer            
          divergent estimates of fair market value, we shall decide what              
          weight to give those estimates by examining the factors used by             
          those experts to arrive at their conclusions.  Casey v. Commis-             
          sioner, 38 T.C. 357, 381 (1962).  While we may accept the opinion           
          of an expert in its entirety, Buffalo Tool & Die Manufacturing              
          Co. v. Commissioner, 74 T.C. 441, 452 (1980), we may be selective           
          in the use of any part of such an opinion, Parker v. Commis-                
          sioner, supra at 562.  We also may reject the opinion of an                 
          expert witness in its entirety.  Palmer v. Commissioner, 523 F.2d           
          1308, 1310 (8th Cir. 1975), affg. 62 T.C. 684 (1974); Parker v.             
          Commissioner, supra at 562-565.                                             





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