Estate & Date-of-Death Appraisals

When real estate is part of an estate, an appraisal may be needed to establish the property's value for estate administration, tax, planning, or related purposes. I provide Estate & Date-of-Death Appraisals throughout Riverside County and San Bernardino County, California.

Depending on the assignment, I can develop a current property value or a retrospective opinion of value as of the owner's Date of Death.

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What Is a Date-of-Death Appraisal?

A Date-of-Death Appraisal is a retrospective appraisal used to determine what a property was worth as of the date a property owner passed away.

Because the effective date is in the past, I analyze property and market information relevant to that period rather than relying only on current market conditions.

Depending on the assignment, this may include:

  • Property characteristics
  • Historical public records
  • Comparable sales from the relevant period
  • Historical market conditions
  • Available information about the property's condition
  • Location and site characteristics
  • Other relevant historical data

The result is an opinion of value tied to the required historical date.

When Is an Estate Appraisal Needed?

An estate appraisal may be requested when real property needs to be valued as part of settling or administering an estate.

Common reasons include:

  • Establishing a Date-of-Death value
  • Estate administration
  • Tax or financial reporting
  • Valuing inherited real estate
  • Supporting estate-related decisions or proceedings

If an attorney, accountant, trustee, or other professional has requested the appraisal, providing their requirements can help determine the appropriate scope.

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Current vs. Retrospective Property Value

An important part of an estate appraisal is identifying the correct effective date.

Current Value

A current appraisal develops an opinion of what the property is worth as of a present-day effective date.

Retrospective Value

A retrospective appraisal develops an opinion of what the property was worth as of a specified date in the past, such as the Date of Death.

These values can differ because real estate markets and property conditions change over time.

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What Information Should I Provide?

When requesting an Estate or Date-of-Death Appraisal, it is helpful to provide:

  • Property address
  • Date of Death, when applicable
  • Reason the appraisal is needed
  • Intended use of the appraisal
  • Property type
  • Relevant information about the property
  • Any specific requirements provided by an attorney, accountant, trustee, or other professional

Providing these details at the beginning helps establish the appropriate scope of work.

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1. Confirm the Assignment

I review the property details, required effective date, intended use, and other assignment requirements.

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2. Research & Analyze

I evaluate relevant property records, comparable sales, market conditions, and other information applicable to the assignment.

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3. Complete the Appraisal

I develop the opinion of value according to the agreed scope of work and effective date.

How an Estate & Date-of-Death Appraisal Works

Estate & Date-of-Death Appraisal FAQs

  • What does “Date of Death” mean in an appraisal?

    It is the effective date used to develop the property's retrospective value. The appraisal

    considers what the property was worth as of that historical date.

  • Can you appraise a property years after the owner passed away?

    Yes. A retrospective appraisal may be completed later using historical property and market

    information relevant to the required date.

  • Do you need to inspect the property for a Date-of-Death Appraisal?

    It depends on the property, available information, intended use, and appropriate scope of work. I

    can determine whether an on-site inspection is needed after reviewing the assignment.

  • What if I need both a Date-of-Death value and a current value?

    Let me know when requesting the appraisal. I can review both required valuation dates and

    determine the appropriate scope.

  • Do you provide appraisals for probate or trust matters?

    Yes. I also provide dedicated appraisal services for probate and trust-related valuation needs.

Request an Estate or Date-of-Death Appraisal

Need to establish the current or historical value of real estate for an estate? Send me the property address, reason for the appraisal, and Date of Death when applicable.