Date-of-death, probate & trust appraisals in San Pedro and the South Bay
Settling an estate means working to a deadline with little room for error. The real property value often drives the tax return, the division among beneficiaries, and sometimes a dispute. I write these reports to stand up to that scrutiny, and I handle each one with the care a family in transition deserves.
Estate appraisal services
Date-of-death valuations
Market value as of the decedent's date of passing, for step-up in basis and estate accounting.
Retrospective appraisals
Value as of any past date, supported by sales and market conditions from that period.
IRS-compliant reports
Prepared with the support estate tax filings need, including Form 706.
Trust administration
Values for funding a trust, dividing property, or buying out a beneficiary's interest.
Two kinds of clients, one standard of work
For attorneys & fiduciaries
- A single point of contact from engagement letter to final report
- Reports addressed to you or your client, as you direct
- Prompt answers when reviewers, CPAs, or opposing counsel have questions
- Access arranged for vacant, occupied, or out-of-area-heir properties
- Your deadline confirmed before I accept the assignment
For executors & families
If you've just been named executor or trustee, you likely have a long list and questions you didn't expect to face.
Call me. I'll explain which kind of appraisal you need, what it will cost, and how long it takes. I'll also coordinate access with whoever holds the keys, so you don't have to be at the property.
What to have ready when you call
None of this has to be complete. It just lets me quote accurately on the first call.
- Property address
- Date of death, or the other effective date needed
- Purpose: estate tax, probate, trust division, or another use
- Your filing or court deadline
- Who can provide access to the property
- Attorney or CPA contact, if one is involved
Estate appraisal FAQ
What is a date-of-death appraisal?
It's an appraisal of a property's fair market value as of the day the owner passed away. Heirs, trustees, and CPAs use it to establish the stepped-up tax basis, to support estate tax filings, and for estate and trust accounting.
Can you appraise a property as of a date years ago?
Yes. A retrospective appraisal values the property as of a past date, using the sales and market conditions from that period. With estates, this often comes up when a trust is administered or a property is sold years after the death.
Will the report hold up to the IRS, CPAs, and the court?
Every report is prepared under USPAP at fair market value, with the support estate tax filings such as Form 706 require. I write each one expecting it to be reviewed, and I answer questions from reviewers, CPAs, and opposing counsel afterward.
Do I need to be at the property for the inspection?
No. I'll coordinate access with whoever holds the keys, whether that's a family member, a neighbor, the trustee, or a property manager, including when the heirs live out of the area.
How much does an estate appraisal cost, and how long does it take?
It depends on the property and the scope of the assignment. You'll get the fee and a delivery date before any work begins, and I confirm your filing or court deadline before accepting the assignment.
Do you work with families directly, or only with attorneys?
Both. Many assignments come from estate attorneys, fiduciaries, and CPAs, and I also work directly with executors, trustees, and family members who are handling an estate themselves.
Need a date-of-death value?
Call or email with the address, the date of death, and your deadline, and I'll take it from there.