Estate and Trust Appraisals
When a property is part of an estate or trust, a supported opinion of value can help the people responsible for it make informed decisions. We work with executors, trustees, families, attorneys, and tax professionals throughout Northern California.
Start with the purpose and date
An estate may need a value as of the owner’s date of death, a current value for a proposed sale, or more than one value for different decisions. Those are separate valuation questions. Your attorney or tax professional identifies the date and reporting requirements appropriate to the matter; we define the appraisal assignment around them.
Documenting a property as it existed
When the required date is in the past, the analysis considers the property’s condition and the market at that time. Earlier photographs, listings, plans, and records of improvements can help distinguish the property as it was from the property as it is today. The report identifies the information relied upon and any material assumptions.
A report the involved professionals can use
The appraisal explains the property rights valued, relevant market evidence, methods, and reasoning behind the conclusion. It can support estate administration, tax reporting, a proposed buyout, or distribution planning within the agreed intended use. An appraisal develops an opinion of value; your legal and tax advisers determine how that opinion applies to the estate’s decisions and filings.
What to send
Provide the property address and parcel number, the required date or dates, your role in the estate or trust, the intended use, and any deadlines. Include available historical property records and the contact information for the attorney or CPA involved. For an estate with several parcels, send the full parcel list so we can establish a coordinated scope.
Let’s define the assignment.
Tell us about the property, the decision you need to make, and any deadline. We will discuss the scope, fee, and next steps.
Discuss an Estate Appraisal