Estate Appraisal
Settling an estate and trust administration is an important and sometimes stressful job. As a trustee or an executor, you have been entrusted to carry out the wishes of the deceased as swiftly and exactly as possible. You can count on us to act promptly and with sensitivity to all those involved.
Attorneys and accountants have routinely relied on our expert value opinions when they calculate real property values for estates We understand their needs and have years of experience interacting with all the parties who are involved. We provide appraisal reports which meet the requirements of the courts and various agencies.
Settling an estate usually requires an appraisal to establish fair market value (FMV) for the real property that is involved. Often, the date of death differs from the date the appraisal is requested and preformed. We are familiar with the procedures and requirements necessary to perform a retroactive appraisal with an effective date and FMV estimate to match the date of death. The ethics provision of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us together with confidentiality, ensuring your privacy with the utmost discretion.
All too often, people do not fully appreciate the need to have a detailed real estate appraisal prepared in support of the numbers being used in documents filed with revenue authorities.
Opinions of value used in documents filed with the revenue authorities should be supported by a detailed report as to how the appraiser arrived at his conclusion of value. Such a report will certainly demonstrate to the authorities that the numbers used are well founded and substantiated.
Hiring a state certified real estate appraiser, and having a professional appraisal performed gives the trustee or executor solid facts and figures to work with in meeting IRS and state agency requirements. It assures peace of mind to everyone concerned because we are there to stand behind the appraisal if it is challenged.