Why Property Value Matters in Your Estate Plan
Quick Overview
We see it all the time in our work: families who thought their estate plan was all set, only to discover their biggest assumption—what their home is actually worth—was completely wrong.
This article pairs with a recent Substack post, in which our founder, David, delves deeper into this issue alongside estate attorney John Morabito. While that piece explores the legal complexities, here we're focusing on what we've learned from real cases—and the simple step that could save your family from serious headaches down the road.
Learn more about our Estate Appraisals and how they support long-term planning.
The Story That Keeps Repeating
David shares a scenario he's encountered more times than he can count:
A homeowner looks at Zillow, sees their house valued at around $500,000, and figures that's close enough for planning purposes. They've got two kids and about $500,000 in other assets, so they decide: one kid gets the house, the other gets the cash. Fair and square, right?
Then David does the actual appraisal. Sometimes it's $650,000. Other times it's $450,000. Either way, the family is blindsided.
Suddenly, what felt like an equal split isn't even close. And now you've got siblings who either feel shortchanged or guilty about getting more than their fair share.
Why the "Close Enough" Approach Backfires
David has learned that relying on online estimates for something this important is like using a weather app from three towns over. It might be in the ballpark, but when you really need to know if it's going to rain, you look outside.
Zillow and tax assessments miss so much:
That custom kitchen renovation from five years ago
The way the morning light hits the living room
Whether the neighbors behind you just put in a pool or a storage shed
How the local market actually values your neighborhood's unique character
When David explains it to families, he always says the same thing: "These tools are great for curiosity, but terrible for planning."
What We've Seen When Families Get It Right
The families who get appraisals during their planning process? They sleep better. We've watched estate attorneys like John Morabito walk families through distributions where everyone nods and says "that makes sense" instead of arguing over whether mom and dad were trying to send a message.
Everyone knows the number is real
When there's a certified appraisal in the file, there's no second-guessing. No one's wondering if the valuation was influenced by emotions or wishful thinking. Explore how our Estate Appraisals provide the documentation families and attorneys rely on.
Decisions get easier
We've seen families realize they need to adjust their plans—maybe sell the house and split the proceeds, or take out life insurance to balance things out. But they figured it out while they still had options.
The hard conversations happen when they should
Better to hash things out around the kitchen table than in a lawyer's office after someone's gone.
Why Timing Matters
David notes that most people call him after someone dies, when they're trying to settle an estate. By then, we're doing damage control instead of planning.
John Morabito puts it perfectly: "Real estate is often the most significant asset in an estate, and understanding its true value is key to making fair, informed decisions."
The families who come to us during the planning phase—while everyone's still around to talk through the options—those are the ones who avoid the drama later.
Why We Partner with Estate Attorneys
Working alongside professionals like John has taught us so much about what actually matters in estate planning. John serves as a Partition Hearing Officer in Philadelphia County, so he sees what happens when property valuations go sideways.
His perspective has shaped how we approach these appraisals. It's not just about getting the number right—it's about getting a number that helps families make good decisions.
“Having a proper valuation brings focus to the family. It’s a practical tool that helps them achieve their goals without unnecessary conflict.”
What This Means for You
If you're working on your estate plan and your home is part of the equation, don't guess at the value. Whether your situation is straightforward or complicated, getting the real number helps ensure your wishes actually play out the way you want them to. Think of it as one conversation now that prevents ten arguments later.
Learn more about our Estate Appraisals and how they can fit into your plan.
Ready to Get Real Numbers?
If you're in our service area and want to take the guesswork out of your estate planning, our team is here to guide you through the process. We work with families and their attorneys to provide the clarity everyone needs.
Serving: Berks County, Bucks County, Burlington County, Camden County, Chester County, Delaware County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County.
If you need help with the legal side of estate planning, John Morabito's team at morabitolaw.com can walk you through your options.
