What is an IRS Qualified Appraiser?
March 12, 2026
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If you’ve been researching appraisals for estate tax, charitable donation, gift tax, or another tax-related purpose, you’ve likely encountered the
Estate planning appraisals give you an accurate picture of what your personal property is worth, before it becomes part of a legal or tax process. Planning ahead protects your heirs and your intentions
Personal property is often a significant and emotionally meaningful part of an estate, and its value belongs in any serious planning conversation.
Sound planning starts with documenting what you own, and what it’s worth. A professional appraisal of your personal property is essential when drafting or updating a will, establishing a trust, or working with an attorney to allocate assets among beneficiaries. An appraisal prepared by an independent, qualified professional carries a different kind of authority than acquisition prices, informal estimates, or valuations offered by those with a relationship to the property, providing your advisors and your heirs with a credible, impartial foundation that reflects current market realities. Our appraisals are USPAP Compliant, and conducted by an ISA Certified Appraiser of Personal Property.
Please contact us for a complimentary consultation. We are happy to coordinate with you or members of your advisory team.
Here are answers to the questions families and estate attorneys most often ask about Estate Planning Appraisals.
Q: How does an estate planning appraisal differ from an estate tax appraisal?
A: An estate planning appraisal is conducted during your lifetime to help you and your advisors understand the current market value of your personal property. It is used for planning purposes, not for IRS filing. An estate tax appraisal is conducted after death, uses the date-of-death value, and is submitted with Form 706. Estate planning appraisals use the same methodology and produce equally rigorous reports.
Q: Why would I need an appraisal for estate planning if I’m not planning to sell anything?
A: Accurate values help you make informed decisions about how to distribute assets among heirs, fund trusts, make gifts, update your will, or plan charitable bequests. Without current appraisals, planners and attorneys are working with guesswork, which can lead to disputes, unequal distributions, or tax surprises.
Q: How often should estate planning appraisals be updated?
A: The art and antiques market shifts significantly over time. As a general rule, appraisals used for estate planning should be updated every three to five years, or sooner if the market for a particular category has changed dramatically, items have been sold or acquired, or a major life event has occurred.
Q: Can an estate planning appraisal help with equitable distribution among heirs?
A: Yes, and this is one of the most practical uses. Knowing the fair market value of each item allows an estate to be divided equitably, either by direct assignment, buyout, or sale. Without objective values, disagreements among heirs are common and sometimes costly to resolve.
Q: What types of property do you appraise for estate planning?
A: Fine art, antiques, furniture, decorative arts, jewelry, silver, ceramics, collectibles, rugs, books, significant household contents, and other tangible assets of notable value. We cover the full scope of personal property typically found in an estate.
Q: Can the appraisal be used if my estate plan changes?
A: Appraisal reports document value at a specific point in time. If your plan changes after the report is issued, the report remains accurate for that date but may need to be updated if significant time has passed or market conditions have shifted.
Q: Will you work with my estate attorney or financial planner?
A: Yes. We can collaborate with estate planning attorneys, financial advisors, and CPAs. Our reports are formatted to support the needs of professional advisors and are written in clear, plain language that non-specialists can follow.
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