Estate Appraisal Services

5.0from 80+ client reviews

Estate appraisal services of personal property, vehicles, and household contents for probate, estate tax (Form 706), and estate settlement, prepared in accordance with USPAP and IRS requirements. AppraiseItNow appraises furniture, jewelry, antiques, collections, and automobiles at date-of-death values.

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Estate Planning
…instantly felt relief… I will forever be in your debt!
Brandy F., Mentor, OH
…made the process simple for us to have more than 35 firearms appraised
Bruce A., Saint Johns, FL
…the whole process was seamless… I am so glad I hired them
Julia P., Philadelphia, PA
USPAP-CompliantOnsite or OnlineIRS Qualified

DEFENSIBLE, USPAP-COMPLIANT APPRAISAL REPORTS — QUALIFIED FOR THE IRS, PROBATE COURTS, AND ESTATE ATTORNEYS.

  • IRS
  • United States Courts
  • Chase
  • Bank of America
  • State Farm
  • Goodwill Industries
  • Wells Fargo

Estate Appraisals for Tax, Settlement, and Probate

Each one asks the same thing of the appraisal: fair market value as of the date of death, with the market evidence behind it. We can support all three.

The top of IRS Form 706, the United States Estate Tax Return

01

Estate Tax

Filed with the IRS on Form 706

Date-of-death fair market value for the Form 706 schedules, with appraisals attached where Schedule F calls for them.

A porcelain vase, gilt mantel clock, silver tea service, and framed painting on a sideboard

02

Estate Settlement

Dividing property among heirs

Fair market value supported by comparable sales, so an in-kind division or a buyout rests on the same number for every beneficiary.

An antique secretary desk, gilt mirror, and wing chair in a sunlit room

03

Probate

Filed with the probate court

A signed, USPAP-compliant report of date-of-death values for the personal property on the court inventory.

Estate Appraisals by Asset Type

We appraise everything an estate holds in one engagement, so the executor is not chasing separate appraisers for the cars, the shop equipment, and the coin collection.

Personal Property

Household contents, furniture, jewelry, silver, antiques, coins, firearms, and collections, itemized where it matters and grouped where it does not.

Artwork

Paintings, prints, sculpture, and decorative art, including the works over $3,000 that Schedule F asks the executor about by name.

Auto

Cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, and trailers titled to the estate, each valued as its own line item.

Machinery & Equipment

Farm equipment, shop tools, construction machinery, and trade equipment left behind by a sole proprietor or a family operation.

Boat

Boats, yachts, and personal watercraft, including classic and wooden hulls.

Business Valuation

Closely held companies, family LLCs, and minority partnership interests passing through the estate.

Online or Onsite Estate Appraisals

Most of our estate appraisals are completed online, which is what keeps them practical for an executor three states away from the house. Larger estates are appraised in person.

An appraiser's desk with market research open on screen

Online

How most estates are appraised

We work from photographs, item lists, and whatever documentation the estate already has. Nothing has to be moved or shipped.

We appraise an estate online when:

  • The contents are ordinary household property, vehicles, or collections that photograph well
  • The executor is administering the estate from another state
  • The house is already being cleared, or the property is spread across several locations
  • The deadline is a court date or a filing date and travel would add time to it
A sunlit parlour of antique furniture, china, silver, and framed paintings

Onsite

For larger and more complex estates

An appraiser goes to the property and inspects in person, working room by room, arranged around the executor or the family.

We appraise an estate onsite when:

  • A full house or multiple properties need to be inventoried room by room
  • High-value art, antiques, or jewelry need condition and authenticity examined in person
  • Machinery, equipment, or a fleet of vehicles has to be identified and verified on the ground
  • The estate is contested, and an in-person inspection strengthens the record behind the values

Either way the report is the same: written, signed, USPAP-compliant, and stating fair market value as of the date of death. The fee is quoted as a flat amount before we start.

IRS Form 706

Prepared for IRS Estate Tax Reporting (Form 706)

When an estate is large enough to require a federal estate tax return, the personal property in it must be reported at fair market value as of the date of death. Our estate appraisals are prepared in accordance with IRS requirements so the values can go directly onto the return.

Did the decedent own any works of art, items, or any collections whose artistic or collectible value at date of death exceeded $3,000? If “Yes,” you must also complete line 4 and attach appraisals.
Schedule F (Form 706), line 1

What Form 706 requires

Form 706 is the United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return. Household and personal effects are reported on its schedules at fair market value, and the IRS expects values for significant items to be supported by an appraisal rather than an estimate. Our reports document the market evidence behind each value so the executor can file with support in hand.

See the IRS overview of Form 706 for filing thresholds and deadlines, and coordinate with the estate's CPA or attorney on whether a return is required.

Schedule F of IRS Form 706, Other Miscellaneous Property Not Reportable Under Any Other Schedule, where an estate's household goods, art, and collections are reportedPage one of IRS Form 706, the United States Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return
Form 706 page 1, and Schedule F, where an estate’s household goods, art, and collections are reported.

The team behind your fair market value appraisal

Between them, our appraisers hold ISA, CAGA, ASA, ABV, and CFA designations, and every report is written to USPAP for the IRS, probate courts, and estate attorneys.

Joe Kattan

Joe Kattan

Owner & CEO

Anne Hay

Anne Hay

Personal Property Appraiser

Jason Dolph

Jason Dolph

Machinery & Equipment Appraiser

Ashley Innes

Ashley Innes

Personal Property Appraiser

Marnie Erkelens

Marnie Erkelens

Vehicle Appraiser

Justin Ramirez

Justin Ramirez

Business Valuation Expert & Appraiser

Raymond Ghelardi

Raymond Ghelardi

Business Valuation Expert & Appraiser

Aron Blue

Aron Blue

Client Success Manager

  • USPAPWritten to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
  • Fair market valueThe IRS definition of value that Form 706, probate courts, and gift tax filings apply
  • International Society of AppraisersAccredited Member
  • Certified Appraisers Guild of AmericaCertified Appraiser
  • American Society of AppraisersAccredited Senior Appraiser
  • AICPAAccredited in Business Valuation
  • CFA InstituteChartered Financial Analyst
  • The Appraisal FoundationAuthorized by Congress as the source of appraisal standards

What estate, probate, and estate tax clients say we are known for

Estate, Probate, and Estate Tax Appraisal Reviews: “I will forever be in your debt” and “AppraiseItNow was amazing”

  1. Answering fast, and staying reachable while the work runsMentioned in 5 reviews
  2. Being the appraiser they come back to“I highly recommend their services” Bruce A.Mentioned in 3 reviews
  3. Delivering the finished report ahead of the deadlineMentioned in 2 reviews

Across 8 published estate, probate, and estate tax appraisal reviews, every one from a client who paid AppraiseItNow for an appraisal, the three things they raise most often are how quickly we answer, that they would hire us again, and how fast the finished report arrived.

Read all our five-star appraisal reviewsEvery AppraiseItNow review, in the client's own wordsVerified on GoogleSee our Google Business Profile
  • The estate appraisal for our car and rugs was handled quickly and efficiently. The process was smooth and hassle-free.
    Kendall K. , Minneapolis, MN ·

    Personal Property Appraisal for Estate Tax

  • My mother passed away in August 2023 and unfortunately, in the state of Ohio, motorhomes are not transferable on death and was going to have to go through probate court. After speaking with an attorney, I was informed I needed an appraisal. Due to my hectic work schedule and family schedule, I was looking for someone who could do this online, without needing an appointment. After a quick Google search I came across Joe at AppraiseItNow Inc., and instantly felt relief. A quick inquiry led to a few emails back and forth, a very reasonable cost to have the motorhome appraised and all the information needed to submit to get this taken care of. Joe was patient, worked with me as it was going to take a few weeks before I was able to supply the needed images/documents and payment, and less than a week later of submitting it I received the appraisal. His communication is next to none! He responds very quickly, is kind and extremely helpful. If I need anything in the future, I will not hesitate to reach out again! Thank you again! I will forever be in your debt!
    Brandy F., Mentor, OH ·

    Recreational Vehicle Appraisal for Probate

  • It is a pleasure to work with Joe and his team. They communicate every step along the way and made the process simple for us to have more than 35 firearms appraised. It was all done in a timely manner and the final report is easy to understand. I highly recommend their services.
    Bruce A. , Saint Johns, FL ·

    Gun Appraisal for Probate

  • AppraiseItNow was amazing! My father passed with a large volume of artwork & I had no idea what it was worth. Their team was incredibly helpful and quick to respond with text and/or email to any questions as well as a status update along the way. Highly recommend!
    Christina W., Bend, OR ·

    Artwork Appraisal for Probate

  • I needed to have a car appraised, AppraiseItNow got it done quickly and was super responsive about my questions. Whole thing was done online, very easy!
    Lauren C., Brooklyn, NY ·

    Car Appraisal for Probate

  • Friendly, speedy service with fair value.
    Christina W. , Johnstown, PA ·

    Auto Appraisal for Probate

Estate Appraisals, Near You

AppraiseItNow offers online appraisals and onsite appraisals in all 50 states.

Estate appraisals in AlabamaEstate appraisals in AlaskaEstate appraisals in ArizonaEstate appraisals in ArkansasEstate appraisals in CaliforniaEstate appraisals in ColoradoEstate appraisals in ConnecticutEstate appraisals in DelawareEstate appraisals in FloridaEstate appraisals in GeorgiaEstate appraisals in HawaiiEstate appraisals in IdahoEstate appraisals in IllinoisEstate appraisals in IndianaEstate appraisals in IowaEstate appraisals in KansasEstate appraisals in KentuckyEstate appraisals in LouisianaEstate appraisals in MaineEstate appraisals in MarylandEstate appraisals in MassachusettsEstate appraisals in MichiganEstate appraisals in MinnesotaEstate appraisals in MississippiEstate appraisals in MissouriEstate appraisals in MontanaEstate appraisals in NebraskaEstate appraisals in NevadaEstate appraisals in New HampshireEstate appraisals in New JerseyEstate appraisals in New MexicoEstate appraisals in New YorkEstate appraisals in North CarolinaEstate appraisals in North DakotaEstate appraisals in OhioEstate appraisals in OklahomaEstate appraisals in OregonEstate appraisals in PennsylvaniaEstate appraisals in Rhode IslandEstate appraisals in South CarolinaEstate appraisals in South DakotaEstate appraisals in TennesseeEstate appraisals in TexasEstate appraisals in UtahEstate appraisals in VermontEstate appraisals in VirginiaEstate appraisals in WashingtonEstate appraisals in West VirginiaEstate appraisals in WisconsinEstate appraisals in Wyoming
Browse all states by region

Featured Estate Appraisal Case Studies

See all case studies
Purpose
Asset
Estate Tax Appraisal — Diversified Gold Coin Collection

Estate Tax Appraisal: Diversified Gold Coin Collection

October 2, 2025
Modern bullion and historic European and U.S. gold coins in one estate, itemized for the executor's tax filing.
Estate TaxPersonal PropertyFlorida
Valuing a Motorsports Legacy: Estate Planning for a Closely Held Racing Business

Valuing a Motorsports Legacy: Estate Planning for a Closely Held Racing Business

March 16, 2026
One share in a forty-year-old motorcycle racing company with growing revenue and negative earnings, valued for estate planning.
Gift TaxBusiness ValuationCalifornia
Valuing a Classic Runabout for Probate Court

Valuing a Classic Runabout for Probate Court

March 23, 2026
An 18-foot 1970s fiberglass runabout on its trailer, valued as of the owner's date of death for an Ohio probate filing.
ProbateBoatOhio
Estate Tax Appraisal of Diverse Personal Property Collection

Estate Tax Appraisal of Diverse Personal Property Collection

September 4, 2025
Fine art, mid-century furniture, silver, ceramics and household groupings from one California estate, sorted into what sells and what does not.
Estate TaxPersonal PropertyCalifornia
Valuing a Minority Partnership Stake for Estate Planning

Valuing a Minority Partnership Stake for Estate Planning

March 16, 2026
A minority stake in a California industrial distribution partnership, after adding back related-party pay to see what the business really earned.
Gift TaxBusiness ValuationCalifornia
Valuing a Home's Contents for Probate Court

Valuing a Home's Contents for Probate Court

March 23, 2026
Fourteen photographs of grouped furniture and household goods, and a probate court waiting on a date-of-death value for all of it.
ProbatePersonal PropertyMaryland
Estate Tax Appraisal of Household Goods Collection

Estate Tax Appraisal of Household Goods Collection

August 26, 2025
The furnishings, decorative objects and personal effects of a Maryland home, valued for the estate's tax return.
Estate TaxPersonal PropertyMaryland
Valuing a Family LLC for Estate Planning

Valuing a Family LLC for Estate Planning

November 14, 2025
Units in a family LLC holding a Georgia timber tract that earns almost nothing, transferred to three trusts and valued for estate planning.
Estate PlanningBusiness ValuationGeorgia
Mixed Fleet Vehicle Appraisal for Probate Court

Mixed Fleet Vehicle Appraisal for Probate Court

August 27, 2025
SUVs, pickups, vans, a tilt-deck trailer, snowmobiles, jet skis and an aluminum boat, all from one Ohio estate and all headed to probate.
ProbateAutoOhio
Estate Tax Valuation of a 2016 Honda Fit EX

Estate Tax Appraisal of a 2016 Honda Hatchback

July 16, 2025
A 2016 Honda Fit with a documented front-end collision in its history, valued for a California estate's tax return.
Estate TaxAutoCalifornia
Equipment & Machinery Appraisal for Probate Court Settlement

Equipment & Machinery Appraisal for Probate Court Settlement

August 27, 2025
Foodservice and light industrial equipment from an Alaska estate, some discontinued, some missing model plates, itemized for the court.
ProbateMachinery & EquipmentAlaska
Probate Personal Property Appraisal — Collectibles, Firearms and Coins

Probate Personal Property Appraisal: Collectibles, Firearms and Coins

March 21, 2025
Cards, comics, records, coins, memorabilia and firearms from one Missouri estate, each category with its own market.
ProbatePersonal PropertyMissouri

Frequently Asked Questions on Estate Appraisals

What is included in an estate appraisal of personal property?

An estate appraisal covers the personal property a decedent owned: household contents, furniture, jewelry, silver, artwork, antiques, collections, and vehicles. Each category is itemized with a fair market value as of the date of death, so the same report can support the probate inventory, the estate tax return, and distribution among heirs.

Can the same appraisal be used for probate and estate tax?

Yes. We prepare estate appraisals in accordance with both USPAP and IRS requirements, so one report can serve the court inventory and Form 706 reporting. That avoids paying for two appraisals of the same property and keeps the values consistent across filings.

Do vehicles in an estate need a separate appraisal?

No. We appraise cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, and trailers as part of the same estate engagement. Titled vehicles receive their own line-item values within the report, which probate courts and Form 706 schedules expect.

How are values set when heirs divide or buy out estate property?

Estate settlement values are fair market values supported by comparable sales, so a buyout or in-kind division rests on the same defensible number for every heir. When an item is disputed, the documented market evidence in the report is what resolves it.