Estate & Trust Appraisals
Why Do You Need an Estate Appraisal?
Understand What the Estate Contains
An inherited household may include a mix of everyday belongings, antiques, and valuable collections. An appraisal identifies and documents the property within the agreed scope, helping those responsible for the estate understand what they are managing.
Provide a Basis for Fair Distribution
Family members may have different expectations about an item’s worth. An independent appraisal provides a common basis for comparing values and discussing how belongings will be divided, while leaving personal and sentimental decisions to the family.
Support Estate and Tax Documentation
Executors, trustees, and their advisors may need documented values for estate administration or tax reporting, including IRS Form 706 when applicable. We provide the personal property valuation; your attorney or tax advisor determines the legal and filing requirements.
Establish Value at the Relevant Date
For estate tax purposes, the required value is generally the fair market value as of the date of death, rather than today’s selling price or insurance replacement value. We confirm the appropriate valuation date with you and your advisors before beginning.
What Your Report Includes
Our written appraisal identifies the property examined, records its relevant characteristics and condition, and explains the valuation conclusions. Descriptions, photographs, and itemized values create an organized record for the estate and the intended users of the report.
How to Get Started
- Tell Us About the Estate
Share the property’s location, the types of items involved, your role, and any deadlines. Let us know whether the appraisal is for estate administration, tax reporting, planning, or distribution. - Confirm the Scope and Arrange Access
We’ll confirm the items to be included, the valuation date, fee, and expected turnaround. We then arrange an inspection and review available inventories, receipts, prior appraisals, and ownership records. - Receive Your Appraisal
We prepare a written report documenting the personal property and its value as of the agreed date, with explanations supporting our conclusions. - Share the Report with Your Advisors
Provide the report to the authorized executor, trustee, attorney, or tax advisor for its intended use. We remain available to answer questions about the appraisal.
Halphen provides USPAP-compliant personal property appraisals for estate settlement, trust administration, estate planning, and equitable distribution. We work with families, executors, trustees, attorneys, and CPAs to value art, antiques, furniture, decorative objects, and household collections.
From individual heirlooms to entire household contents, our reports provide clear descriptions, photographs, and supported fair market value conclusions tailored to the purpose and required valuation date.
Before Items Are Moved or Distributed
Contact us early when possible, while the belongings are still accessible. If items have already been moved, sold, or distributed, let us know so we can assess the available photographs and records.
Let’s Start with Your Situation
Tell us about your items, where they’re located, and what you need help with. If you have a deadline, let us know.
