Trustees and executors carry a legal duty to treat every beneficiary fairly, and that duty starts with knowing what the real estate is worth. An independent appraisal gives the fiduciary a documented value that holds up when siblings disagree, when a beneficiary wants to buy out the others, or when the court or a CPA asks how the number was reached.
Common estate and trust assignments
Trust accountings, funding a trust or sub-trust after the first spouse's death, allocating property between survivor's and bypass trusts, and setting a buyout price when one heir keeps the family home are the assignments we see most often. In a California probate the court-appointed probate referee values the real estate for the inventory, but personal representatives often order an independent appraisal to evaluate a sale or buyout, to answer a beneficiary's objection, or to document the tax basis. Each one has an intended use and an effective date that shape the scope of the work, so both are confirmed in writing before we begin.
Current, retrospective or both
Estate work frequently needs more than one date. The date of death may govern the tax basis while a current value governs a sale or a buyout. We can deliver both values in one report so the fiduciary is not paying for two separate assignments.
Reports beneficiaries can follow
A trustee's appraisal is often read by people who have never seen one before. Our reports explain the comparable sales, the adjustments and the reasoning in plain language, which tends to shorten disagreements rather than start them. When a beneficiary hires an appraiser of their own, we can also review that report for the fiduciary.
Report options
These report types are most often used for this purpose. The quote you receive will confirm which one fits your situation.
Requesting this appraisal
Use the request form to share the property address, the purpose and the effective date you need. You will receive a written quote and delivery date by email — usually within one business day — with no obligation until you approve it.