Estate Planning Appraisals

What this service involves

An estate planning appraisal is a current market-value appraisal of residential property, prepared for the owner and their advisors. The deliverable depends on the agreed scope — a full interior appraisal for the most defensible value, or a more limited analysis when appropriate. We do not provide legal or tax advice; we provide the value opinion your attorney and CPA use to implement your plan.

This is distinct from a date-of-death (retrospective) appraisal, which values property as of a past date after the owner has passed. Estate planning appraisals are current as of today, to support decisions made now.

When someone may need it

Common situations include transferring a home into a living trust, gifting a partial interest to family, planning for equal distribution among heirs, or establishing a baseline value before future changes. An attorney or financial advisor may request a current appraisal to document the value at the time a planning step is taken.

What the analysis considers

The appraisal considers the property's current market value based on:

• Property characteristics: type, size, layout, condition, and improvements.
• Comparable sales: recent sales of similar homes nearby.
• Current market conditions: today's supply, demand, and trends.
• The interest being valued: fee simple or a partial interest, depending on the plan.
• Intended use: the report is prepared for estate planning at the owner's request.

Information that may help

Have ready the property address, the planning purpose (trust funding, gifting, etc.), the name of your attorney or advisor if they are the intended user, and any recent improvements. Do not submit sensitive financial or legal documents through the general inquiry form; share them directly with your appraiser as needed.

How the assignment works

We confirm the scope and intended use, inspect the property when required, research current comparable sales, complete the analysis, and deliver the report. Because estate planning often involves coordination with attorneys and accountants, we can format the report to meet their needs.