Estate Appraisals

Diverse older friends discussing estate appraisal documents with appraiser

Estate Appraisals for Settlement, Tax, and Distribution

When someone passes away, their property often becomes one of the most valuable—and complex—parts of the estate. Whether you’re working through probate, managing a trust, or guiding a family through asset distribution, a clear, court-defensible real estate valuation is critical.

At Valiant Appraisal Services, we provide estate appraisals that meet IRS, USPAP, and legal standards—delivered with the sensitivity, clarity, and precision this moment deserves.

Why Estate Appraisals Matter

  • Support Equitable Distribution
    Ensure assets are divided fairly among heirs and beneficiaries.

  • Meet IRS and Legal Requirements
    Our reports are built to withstand scrutiny for estate tax filings and probate proceedings.

  • Prevent Disputes and Delays
    A neutral valuation reduces the risk of conflict, second-guessing, or legal challenges.

  • Protect Executors and Attorneys
    Eliminate ambiguity with documentation that supports fiduciary decision-making

Young couple listening to real estate appraiser’s advice

What Makes Our Estate Appraisals Different?

We tailor each report to the purpose and audience—whether it’s the IRS, probate court, or family members.

  • We work regularly with attorneys, CPAs, fiduciaries, and heirs—and we speak their language.

  • We understand the urgency that comes with estate settlement. Our team communicates clearly, meets deadlines, and handles sensitive situations with care.

  • An estate planning appraisal is a professional opinion of a property’s current fair market value, typically used as part of a broader estate plan. Unlike a retrospective (date of death) appraisal, this one reflects the property's value as of the date the appraiser visits the property and helps families, attorneys, and financial planners make informed decisions about asset distribution, tax strategies, gifting, or trust funding.

  • Getting a current appraisal ensures you have a clear understanding of one of your most valuable assets: your real estate. This can help reduce future disputes among heirs, guide decisions about gifting property during your lifetime, and assist in creating an equitable and tax-efficient estate plan. It also documents a fair market value for reference in future legal or financial matters.

  • Estate planning appraisals are most often ordered by property owners, attorneys, financial planners, or trustees. Sometimes adult children or beneficiaries initiate the process when helping their parents prepare or update estate documents. The goal is to provide a clear and neutral basis for decisions about real estate.

  • Not quite. A Date of Death appraisal is a type of retrospective appraisal that determines a property’s value as of the exact date someone passed away, usually for tax filing or probate purposes. An estate planning appraisal, on the other hand, reflects the property’s current market value and is used to help make informed decisions while the owner is still living. Both follow professional appraisal standards and provide fair market value, but they serve different purposes and are based on different effective dates.

  • It’s generally a good idea to update your estate planning appraisal every three to five years, depending on your goals and the market. You may also want to update it sooner if you’ve made major improvements to the property, if local real estate values have changed significantly, or if you’re revising your estate plan. Keeping your appraisal current ensures your planning decisions are based on accurate information and helps avoid surprises later on.

 FAQs: Estate Appraisals

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Need a Trusted Appraisal for Estate Settlement?

Whether you're managing the estate of a loved one, advising a client, or navigating probate yourself, we're here to help. We deliver timely, respectful, and defensible valuations tailored to your needs.