Estate of Harriet R. Mellinger, Deceased, Hugh V. Hunter and Wells Fargo Bank, Co-Executors - Page 23




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          However, we are not bound by the opinion of an expert witness,              
          especially when such opinions are contrary to our judgment.  IT&S           
          of Iowa, Inc. v. Commissioner, 97 T.C. 496, 508 (1991).  Where              
          experts offer divergent estimates of fair market value, we decide           
          what weight to give those estimates by examining the factors used           
          by those experts to arrive at their conclusions.  Casey v.                  
          Commissioner, 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 and use only part of such an opinion.  Parker v.           
          Commissioner, supra.  We may also reach a determination of value            
          based on our own examination of the evidence in the record.                 
          Estate of Davis v. Commissioner, 110 T.C. 530, 538 (1998).                  
               The parties in this case agree that the undiscounted fair              
          market value of the FOH shares on the valuation date is $6.9375             
          per share.  The parties also agree that a marketability discount            
          is necessary if the shares are not to be aggregated.  They                  
          disagree, however, as to the appropriate marketability discount             
          to be applied.  Respondent contends that the minority blocks of             
          FOH should be valued at $5.8969 per share, a 15-percent discount.           
          Petitioner argues that the shares of FOH have a value of $4.786             
          per share, a 31-percent discount.  Petitioner supports its                  
          conclusion with the testimony of Curtis R. Kimball (Kimball) and            
          Ira M. Cotler (Cotler).                                                     





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