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Estate & Probate Appraisals in Orange County
Clear, accurate valuations for executors, trustees, families and attorneys.
Handling a loved one's estate can feel overwhelming. A professionally supported valuation helps families, executors, trustees, and attorneys move forward with clarity and confidence.
As a Certified Residential Appraiser with over 30 years of experience in Anaheim Hills and Orange County, Don provides independent, well-documented valuations prepared for use by attorneys, trustees, and tax professionals.
How an estate or probate appraisal helps
- Probate documentation
- Executor or trustee responsibilities
- IRS reporting and step-up basis
- Date-of-death valuations
- Estate equalization among heirs
- Trust administration
- Decisions to sell or retain inherited property
Tax treatment depends on your situation. Please confirm with your CPA or tax attorney.
Retrospective (date-of-death) valuations
- Historical market analysis
- Comparable sales from the required date
- Adjusted valuation based on past market conditions
- Reports written so attorneys, trustees and tax professionals can follow the reasoning behind the value
A calm, supportive approach for families
- Clear, patient communication
- Guidance without pressure
- A professional, unbiased valuation
- A process that reduces stress during a difficult time
Working with professionals
Reports attorneys, trustees and tax professionals can follow
Estate and probate appraisals often pass through several hands. Don prepares each report so the people who read it can follow the reasoning behind the value.
- Clear support for the value conclusion
- Comparable sales and adjustments explained in plain language
- Retrospective values as of the date of death when required
- Coordination of property access with executors, trustees and attorneys
- USPAP-compliant reporting
Estate and probate questions
What is a date-of-death appraisal?
A retrospective valuation of a home as of the date the owner passed away. It uses comparable sales from the required date and an adjusted valuation based on past market conditions, in a report written so attorneys, trustees and tax professionals can follow the reasoning behind the value.
Can you help if I live out of the area?
Yes. Many executors and trustees manage an estate from out of town. Don can coordinate property access with a local contact, the attorney, or a lockbox, and keeps you updated by phone and email.
Does the appraisal help with step-up basis?
A date-of-death appraisal is commonly used to document a stepped-up tax basis for inherited property. Tax treatment depends on your situation. Please confirm with your CPA or tax attorney.
Need an appraisal?
Tell Don about the property and the purpose. He reviews every request personally and follows up with next steps, fees, and scheduling.