I had similar situation. Ex refused to pay half for valuations of joint properties prior to final hearing. I paid full amount of valuations so Judge would have all the relevant info at hand and so i wasnt seen to be delaying proceedings. The fact that I paid full amount was stated in my final property orders sought i.e. to have half of valuation paid added to my final settlement received.
Don't know what kind of value of property you're talking here, or how many properties need valuing - just the one? Half the cost of a sworn valuation is what? About $500? Not much in the scheme of things given if you're at final hearing stage I'm sure you've spent thousands already! I know, it's not fair. I had multiple valuations that I forked out for...Better to do what Judge has requested and try to ignore the ex being difficult, possibly just for the sake of being difficult...
Just get it outlined in your orders sought that you want to be re-imbursed. Not guaranteed you'll get it though esp if the Judge decides not to include ex's property in the pool. No one really wins in the end...but good that Judge acknowledged what you both had agreed on previously wasn't fair/equitable.
