Date of Death Appraisal
Get a date of death appraisal of personal property, artwork, machinery & equipment, cars, boats, and business interests - done by a team of independent experts.
Offered by world-class certified appraisers
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Joe Kattan
Anne Hay, ISA AM
Jason Dolph, CAGA
Ashley Innes, ISA AM
Tim Roy, ASA, CEA
Justin Ramirez, ASA, ABV, CFA
Marnie Erkelens, CAGA
Raymond Ghelardi, ASA
Aron Blue
About AppraiseItNow's Date of Death Appraisal Services
We provide USPAP-compliant date of death appraisals for personal property, business assets, and ownership interests. These valuations establish Fair Market Value as of the decedent’s date of passing and are commonly relied upon for estate tax reporting, probate, trust administration, and beneficiary distributions.
Many assignments can be completed efficiently using photographs, inventories, and documentation, allowing executors and advisors to proceed without unnecessary delays. When circumstances warrant, onsite inspections can also be arranged.
Our process is built for accuracy, defensibility, and coordination with the professionals guiding the estate.
Personal Property & Collections
We appraise individual items and full household contents frequently encountered in estates, including:
- Fine art, decorative art, and collectibles
- Jewelry, watches, and gemstones
- Antiques and period furnishings
- General household contents and personal effects
- Memorabilia and specialty collections
Values reflect the market conditions that existed on the effective date of death, not current prices.
Business Valuations
When the decedent owned an interest in a private company, partnership, or investment vehicle, a formal valuation is typically required.
We value:
- Operating businesses
- Family and closely held companies
- Real estate holding entities
- LLC and partnership interests
- Minority or non-controlling positions
These reports are often central to estate tax filings and may involve analysis of control rights, transfer restrictions, and marketability considerations.
Machinery & Equipment
For estates involving operating companies or specialized assets, our appraisers provide retrospective valuations across a wide range of industries, such as:
- Industrial and manufacturing equipment
- Construction and heavy equipment
- Medical and laboratory equipment
- Restaurant and hospitality assets
- Warehouse and material handling equipment
Vehicles, Boats & Transportation Assets
We appraise transportation property including:
- Passenger vehicles and specialty automobiles
- Commercial trucks and fleet assets
- Recreational vehicles and trailers
- Boats, yachts, and marine equipment
Research reflects comparable sales and market evidence available at the historical valuation date. Where marine survey requirements apply, those must be completed onsite.
Business Assets & Inventory
We also value business-owned tangible property within estates, including:
- Inventory and stock
- Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E)
- Office and trade equipment
- Multi-location or portfolio assets
These analyses are often coordinated with broader business interest valuations.
Assets That May Require Onsite Review
While many date-of-death assignments can be performed from documentation, inspection may be necessary when condition, authenticity, or record completeness is uncertain.
If an onsite visit is appropriate, we will advise you before engagement.
Built for Fiduciary & IRS Reliance
Our reports are prepared by credentialed appraisers in accordance with USPAP and are structured to support:
- Estate tax filings
- Probate proceedings
- Trust accounting
- Beneficiary distributions
- Advisor, auditor, or IRS review
Because valuations may be examined years later, documentation quality and methodological support are essential.
Date of Death appraisals for estates and their trusted advisors
Servicing trusted financial advisors
AppraiseItNow serves major businesses and commercial clients, including:
- CPAs
- Estate Attorneys
- Finanacial Advisors
- Registered Investment Advisors
Servicing Individuals & Households
AppraiseItNow also serves individual consumers with projects large and small. These clients often include:
- High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs)
- Families going through probate, estate tax, or settlement
- Estate executors or personal representatives
Date of Death Appraisal – Frequently Asked Questions
What is a date of death appraisal?
A date of death appraisal is a professional opinion of value that reflects what an asset was worth on the decedent’s date of passing. These valuations are commonly required for estate tax filings, probate, trust administration, and determining the step-up in basis for heirs.
Many assignments can be completed using photographs and documentation, although onsite inspections may be arranged when necessary.
What types of assets can be valued?
We perform date of death appraisals for a wide range of personal and business property, including:
- Antiques and furniture
- Household contents and personal effects
- Fine art and collectibles
- Jewelry, watches, and precious metals
- Vehicles, boats, and RVs
- Machinery and equipment
- Inventory and business property
- Ownership interests in private companies
If you are unsure whether your asset qualifies, we can confirm during scoping.
Why is the date of death important?
The valuation must reflect market conditions that existed on that specific historical date. Later price changes, market swings, or subsequent sales generally do not determine the value for estate reporting purposes.
What if the asset has already been sold?
Appraisals can still be completed. We use the historical market environment, condition at the time of death, and available documentation to reconstruct value as of the required date.
What information will I need to provide?
Most assignments rely on photographs, descriptions, and any available records such as purchase documents, prior appraisals, inventories, or account statements. The more detail available, the stronger the support for the conclusion.
Our team will outline requirements once scope is defined.
Do you need to inspect everything in person?
Not always. Many estates are handled efficiently through remote documentation. However, inspections may be recommended when authenticity, condition, or completeness of records is uncertain.
Are your reports USPAP-compliant?
Yes. When required, assignments are prepared in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), with the effective date clearly stated as the date of death.
Who relies on date of death appraisals?
Our reports are commonly used by executors, trustees, CPAs, estate attorneys, courts, and taxing authorities.
How long does the process take?
Most valuations are completed within several business days to a few weeks depending on asset complexity and the availability of documentation. We can discuss timing during intake.
How do I get started?
Fill out the request form below, and we'll share next steps!