Certified Estate Appraisals
Neutral. Accurate. Legally Defensible.
When a marriage ends, property values must be established with precision — not guesswork. Our USPAP-compliant divorce appraisals provide the impartial, court-accepted valuations attorneys, mediators, and judges rely on.
3
Generations of Experience
50,000+
Transactions Completed & Counting
49
Years in Business
What We Provide
Everything Your Estate Attorney and CPA Need — In One Report
Estate planning hinges on accurate valuations. An appraisal that doesn’t meet IRS standards under IRC §170, §2031, §2512, or §664 can trigger penalties, audits, or disallowed deductions — costing heirs and donors far more than the appraisal itself. We provide complete, USPAP-compliant reports accepted by the IRS, probate courts, and financial institutions.
- USPAP-Compliant & IRS-Qualified Appraiser reports
- Probate & Court-Ready
- Expert witness availability for probate & tax court
- Rush turnaround for time-sensitive filings
- Confidential Handling of all Client Information
- Gift tax appraisals meeting IRC §2512 & §2522
- Charitable contribution appraisals per IRC §170(f)(11)
- CRUT, CRAT, CLT, and charitable remainder trust support
COMMON REASONS OUR CLIENTS ORDER APPRAISALS
Date-of-Death Estate Appraisal
Stepped-Up Basis & Inherited Property
This estate-specific tax rule resets the property's value to its fair market value on the owner's death date, potentially saving heirs significant capital gains taxes if they sell the home later.
Probate & Estate Settlement
Courts often mandate these appraisals to officially inventory and value a deceased person's assets before an estate can be formally settled.
Charitable Donation / Conservation Easement
Equitable Distribution
It ensures a fair and transparent division of property among heirs or beneficiaries, helping to prevent inheritance disputes.
Transferring Property into an LLC or trust
OUR PROCESS
Simple, Straightforward, and Reliable
Initial Consultation
Call, email, or fill out the form. We'll ask a few quick questions about the property, the purpose of the appraisal, and any relevant IRS deadlines or filing dates — no commitment required.
Property Inspection
Typically scheduled within 24–48 hours of engagement. The inspection takes 20–45 minutes and covers interior, exterior, condition, and all relevant site features.
Market Research
We analyze comparable sales, market trends, and income data to build a defensible, data-driven opinion of value — supported by the level of documentation the IRS and courts require.
Report Delivery
You receive a complete, USPAP-compliant report — ready for your estate attorney, CPA, financial advisor, probate court, or IRS submission.
WHAT WE APPRAISE
Divorce Appraisal Services for Every Asset
Single Family Homes
The most common marital asset. We deliver precise fair market value for standard and custom residences.
Waterfront Properties
Specialized valuations for lakefront, riverfront, and coastal estates — including dock and access rights.
Luxury Estates
High-value unique properties requiring sophisticated market data and deep regional expertise.
Vacant Land & Agricultural
Raw land, development parcels, farms, and environmentally sensitive properties.
Condos, Co-ops & Townhomes
Precise valuations accounting for HOA, unit location, building condition, and comparable sales.
Multi-Family Properties
Certified appraisals for duplexes, apartment buildings, and income-producing residential portfolios.
Mixed-Use Buildings
Integrated residential and commercial properties with both income and occupancy components.
Office Buildings
Precision reporting for Class A, B, and C office spaces and medical suites.
Industrial, Warehouse & Flex
Logistics, manufacturing, and income-producing commercial assets.
Manufactured, Mobile & RV Parks
Specialized knowledge in land-lease communities and mobile home parks.
Conservation Easements
Before-and-after valuations for donated easements per IRS Form 8283 and IRC §170(h) requirements.
Special Purpose
Technical analysis for niche assets like self-storage, car washes, and schools.
Our methodology
How We Determine the Value of Your Property
Every estate situation is unique. We apply the most appropriate combination of the three USPAP-recognized valuation approaches — selected to produce a defensible, IRS-accepted opinion of value for your specific property type and intended use.
Sales Comparison
We analyze recent sales of comparable properties to establish Fair Market Value. We apply adjustments for condition and location to arrive at a value that stands up to legal scrutiny. Commonly used for: Primary residences, condos, and local market equity.
Income Approach
For investment properties, we evaluate income-generating potential—rents, expenses, and cap rates—to value the marital estate’s interest in the property’s cash flow. Commonly used for: Rental portfolios, multi-family units, and leased assets.
Cost Approach
This methodology analyzes value through the lens of replacement cost new, less physical, functional, and external depreciation. It is a critical component for high-value marital estates where modern improvements or unique site characteristics require a detailed cost analysis. Commonly used for: Custom high-end homes, recent renovations, and special-purpose properties.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Appraisal Questions, Answered
Everything you need to know before ordering a real estate appraisal for a divorce.
A date-of-death appraisal establishes the fair market value of a property as of the decedent’s date of death — or the alternate valuation date six months later, if elected. It is required for federal estate tax purposes (IRS Form 706) when the gross estate exceeds the federal exemption threshold. It also establishes the heir’s stepped-up cost basis, which determines capital gains liability if the property is later sold. We can produce retrospective appraisals with effective dates going back several years when needed.
It depends on the type of transfer. A transfer to a revocable living trust you control generally does not require a gift tax appraisal. However, transfers to irrevocable trusts, QPRTs, GRATs, or family LLCs — where you give up control — are typically treated as taxable gifts. If the value of the gift exceeds the annual exclusion ($18,000 per recipient as of 2024), a qualified appraisal is required to support the gift tax return (IRS Form 709). We recommend consulting your estate attorney, and we coordinate directly with legal and tax advisors.
A Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT) is an irrevocable trust into which you contribute appreciated assets — including real estate — in exchange for an income stream, with the remainder passing to a charity. Because the contribution generates a charitable deduction under IRC §664 and §170, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal made no earlier than 60 days before the contribution and no later than the due date of the tax return (including extensions). Without it, the deduction is disallowed. Learn more at the IRS Charitable Remainder Trusts page.
Fees are determined by property type, location, complexity, and intended use. Contact us for a custom quote — there is no obligation, and most quotes are provided same-day.
USPAP stands for the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice — the nationally recognized ethical and performance standards that govern real estate appraisers in the United States. All of our appraisals are USPAP-compliant, meaning they meet the requirements accepted by lenders, the IRS, courts, and federal agencies. This is a non-negotiable requirement for any appraisal used in a legal, financial, or regulated context.
Get Started Today
Protect Your Legacy. Get an Accurate Valuation.
We’ll review your property details, answer your questions, and provide a custom quote — no commitment required. Most inspections can be scheduled within 24–48 hours.