Probate appraisals in California for personal property, equipment and machinery, fine art, boats and watercraft, and automobiles and vehicles. AppraiseItNow provides credentialed, USPAP-compliant probate appraisals online and onsite across California, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
Credentialed, best-in-class appraisers across assets
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Joe Kattan
Anne Hay, ISA AM
Jason Dolph, CAGA
Ashley Innes, ISA AM
Justin Ramirez, ASA, ABV, CFA
Marnie Erkelens, CAGA
Raymond Ghelardi, ASA
Aron Blue
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About Probate Appraisals in California
AppraiseItNow provides probate appraisal services for California estates, delivering date-of-death valuations that satisfy both California Probate Code requirements and federal standards. California estates exceeding $208,850 in personal property typically require formal probate, and executors filing IRS Form 706 must include qualified, USPAP-compliant appraisals for estates above the federal exemption. California has no state estate or inheritance tax, but court-ordered valuations remain essential for asset distribution, stepped-up basis claims, and satisfying probate referee requirements. Our mission is to deliver defensible, USPAP-compliant valuations with exceptional speed, professionalism, and client service.
AppraiseItNow serves clients throughout the state with both remote and onsite appraisal options, making it easy to complete estate inventories regardless of location. Our appraisers in California cover every major region, from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Sacramento and San Diego.
What Does AppraiseItNow Appraise for Probate in California?
AppraiseItNow appraises a wide range of assets commonly found in California probate estates, including:
- Personal Property, including jewelry, antiques, furniture, coins, collectibles, and household goods
- Equipment & Machinery, including medical equipment, restaurant equipment, manufacturing machinery, and technology assets
- Fine Art, including paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, and mixed media
- Boats & Watercraft, including sailboats, powerboats, yachts, jet skis, and personal watercraft
- Automobiles & Vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, trailers, and classic vehicles
Who Does AppraiseItNow Serve in California for Probate?
AppraiseItNow works with executors, personal representatives, probate attorneys, and heirs throughout California who need accurate, court-ready valuations during estate administration. We also assist families navigating simplified transfer processes under Assembly Bill 2016, where confirmed date-of-death values are required to qualify for probate shortcuts.
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Does AppraiseItNow handle probate appraisals in California?
Yes, AppraiseItNow provides probate appraisals throughout California. Our certified appraisers are experienced with California's specific probate requirements and can deliver court-ready valuations efficiently.
What types of assets can be appraised for probate purposes in California?
We appraise a wide range of assets commonly found in California estates, including vehicles, personal property, jewelry, artwork, antiques, collectibles, business interests, and equipment. Our appraisers are qualified to value virtually any tangible or intangible asset that may be part of a decedent's estate.
Are your probate appraisals USPAP compliant?
All appraisals completed by AppraiseItNow follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, known as USPAP. This ensures our reports meet the professional and ethical standards required by California probate courts and other oversight bodies.
Why would someone in California specifically need a probate appraisal?
California has some of the most detailed probate requirements in the country, including thresholds tied to estate size and property type that determine which process applies. With the state's high cost of living and complex asset landscapes, accurate valuations are essential for navigating formal probate, simplified succession petitions, and tax filings correctly.
Can probate appraisals be completed remotely for California estates?
Yes, many probate appraisals can be completed remotely using photographs, documentation, and other submitted information. For certain asset types, an in-person inspection may be recommended, but our team works with executors and heirs across California to make the process as convenient as possible.
How is pricing determined for a probate appraisal in California?
Fees depend on the asset type and scope of the assignment. Visit our pricing page for ranges or contact us.
How long does a probate appraisal typically take to complete?
Turnaround times vary by asset type:
- Vehicles: 3 to 5 days
- Personal property and equipment: 7 to 10 days
- Artwork: 5 to 7 days for simple projects, 2 to 3 weeks for complex assignments
- Business valuations: 2 to 4 weeks
- Inventory: 2 to 4 weeks
Who prepares the appraisal report?
Our reports are prepared by credentialed appraisers with relevant expertise in the specific asset category being valued. Each appraiser brings professional qualifications and experience working within probate and legal contexts.
Are there California-specific rules that affect how probate appraisals work?
California requires a court-appointed probate referee to appraise assets in formal probate proceedings, and the state has distinct thresholds that determine which process applies. For example, estates with gross personal property exceeding $208,850 typically require formal probate, while primary residences valued at $750,000 or less may qualify for a simplified succession petition under AB 2016, though a probate referee appraisal is still required in both cases.
What information do I need to provide to get started?
To begin, it helps to have a list of the assets in the estate, any existing documentation such as purchase records, titles, or prior appraisals, and the decedent's date of death, which is the valuation date required for probate purposes. The more detail you can provide upfront, the faster we can move forward.
Will a probate appraisal from AppraiseItNow be accepted by California courts and the IRS?
Our USPAP-compliant appraisals are prepared to meet the standards required by California probate courts and federal tax authorities. For estates requiring IRS Form 706 filings, our reports are structured to satisfy those documentation requirements as well.
When does an estate in California need a probate referee appraisal versus a standard appraisal?
A court-appointed probate referee appraisal is required when an estate qualifies for formal probate, generally when gross personal property exceeds $208,850, or when a simplified succession petition is filed for a primary residence valued at $750,000 or less. Standard appraisals are used for voluntary purposes outside the probate process, such as planning or asset sales.
Can heirs use the simplified petition process if the primary residence is valued just under $750,000?
Yes, heirs can use the Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property process for a residence valued below the $750,000 threshold, but a probate referee appraisal is still required to confirm eligibility. All heirs must sign the petition, and at least 40 days must pass after the decedent's death before filing.
How does the 40-day waiting period affect when a probate appraisal can be ordered in California?
California law requires a 40-day waiting period after a decedent's death before heirs can file a simplified succession petition, meaning a formal probate referee appraisal cannot be ordered through that process until that window has passed. If the estate needs to sell assets before 40 days have elapsed, it must proceed through formal probate, which involves a longer timeline and full court oversight.
How long is a probate referee appraisal valid in California, and what could require a new one?
California Probate Code indicates that if an appraisal is more than one year old at the time of a confirmation hearing, the court may order a new valuation if it finds the original figure is no longer accurate. Significant changes in market conditions, asset condition, or court concerns about the original appraisal can all trigger the need for a fresh report.
If an estate includes both a primary residence under $750,000 and personal property over $208,850, do separate appraisals apply?
The $750,000 threshold under Probate Code section 13150 applies specifically to the primary residence, while the $208,850 threshold under section 13100 governs personal property, and both simplified procedures can potentially be used together if all eligibility requirements are met. This means separate valuations for each category of assets may be necessary, and consulting with a California probate attorney alongside your appraiser is advisable for combined estates.
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