Appraisers for Estate Settlement
Personal property appraisals for probate, estate distribution, and equitable settlement.
What you need to know about estate settlement appraisals
Estate settlement requires a formal, USPAP-compliant appraisal for all personal property included in the estate — antiques, jewelry, fine art, collectibles, vehicles, and household contents. Courts and probate attorneys require a written appraisal report that meets the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) to establish fair market value for tax reporting, equitable distribution, or asset liquidation. The IRS requires a "qualified appraisal" performed by a "qualified appraiser" (IRC §170(f)(11)(E)) for estates claiming charitable deductions. Our directory lists 493 appraisers qualified for estate work, with the largest concentrations in CA, FL, TX. 66% hold current USPAP certifications. A complete estate appraisal typically covers all personal property in the decedent's estate, with a written report delivered within 30–60 days of the physical inspection. For large or complex estates, expect multiple appraisal specialists covering different categories (e.g., one for fine art, a separate specialist for jewelry). Always confirm the appraiser's experience with estate appraisals specifically — not all USPAP-certified appraisers accept estate assignments.
How we verify appraisers for estate settlement
Every appraiser is cross-referenced with a recognized national or international professional registry — currently: ASA, ISA, AAA, ABAA, IAAA, and other specialty bodies. We do not accept self-reported credentials. Every listing must have a verified contact email before it appears in our directory.
Frequently asked questions
What type of appraiser do I need for estate settlement?
For estate settlement, you need a credentialed personal property appraiser holding a designation from the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), or the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), with experience in the specific type of property you need appraised. The appraiser must also be USPAP-compliant.
How much does an appraisal for estate settlement cost?
Fees vary by property type, complexity, and intended use. For estate settlement, a single-item appraisal typically runs $150–$600. Complex assignments or multi-item estates may be billed hourly at $100–$300/hour. The fee must be set in advance and cannot be contingent on the appraised value under USPAP standards.
What is USPAP compliance and why does it matter?
USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) is the federally recognized code of ethics and performance standards for appraisers. A USPAP-compliant report is required by courts, the IRS, and most insurance carriers. Non-USPAP reports may be rejected for legal, tax, or insurance purposes.
How do I verify an appraiser's credentials for estate settlement?
Ask for the appraiser's professional designation number and verify it directly with the issuing organization (ASA, ISA, or AAA all have member lookups). Confirm their experience with the specific use case — not all credentialed appraisers accept all assignment types. Every appraiser in our directory was sourced from a recognized professional registry.
How long does an appraisal take?
Timeline varies by complexity. A single-item appraisal typically takes 1–2 weeks from inspection to report delivery. Multi-item estate appraisals may take 4–8 weeks. IRS donation appraisals must be completed within 60 days before the donation date. Always confirm the turnaround time before engaging an appraiser.
How do you verify the appraisers in your directory?
Every appraiser in our directory is cross-referenced with a recognized national or international professional registry — currently: ASA, ISA, AAA, ABAA, IAAA, and other specialty bodies. We do not accept self-reported credentials. Every listing must have a verified contact email before it appears in results.
Can the appraiser testify in court for estate settlement?
Some appraisers in our directory are available for expert-witness testimony if your matter becomes contested. Use the "Expert witness" filter on the listing page to identify them.
Specialty appraisers for estate settlement
Related use cases
Ready to find an appraiser for estate settlement?
Browse 493 verified appraisers in our directory.