Date of Death Appraisal
A retroactive valuation establishing what a property was worth on the date of the owner's passing. Required for estate tax filings, trust distributions, and most court-related estate matters in Orange County.
Call Mat directly at (714) 409-6123, or request an appraisal online.
Who Is This For
Attorneys managing estate filings, CPAs handling trust distributions, and families navigating an inherited property all eventually need the same thing: a certified appraisal that establishes the property's value on a specific date in the past.
That date is fixed. The appraisal has to get it right — and the documentation has to hold up under scrutiny.
What a Date of Death Appraisal Is
When a property owner passes away, the IRS and California courts require that the property's fair market value be established as of the date of death — not today's value, not an estimate, but a defensible retroactive appraisal tied to a specific date.
This involves analyzing historical comparable sales, market conditions, and property data from that point in time. It is a specialized type of appraisal that requires access to historical market data and experience with how values move across OC neighborhoods over time. Mat has been doing this work in Orange County since 2002.
How It’s Used
A date of death appraisal is typically required for:
Estate tax filings — establishing the taxable value of the estate at the time of death
Trust distributions — determining fair value for distributing real property among beneficiaries
Step-up in basis calculations — resetting the cost basis for inherited property to reduce future capital gains tax
Court proceedings — providing a certified, defensible value for estate litigation
Why It Matters Who Does This
A retroactive appraisal is only as credible as the appraiser's track record and knowledge of the local market. Mat holds a California State Certified Residential Appraiser license (BREA License #AR029995) and has appraised Orange County properties through multiple market cycles. When a filing or a court proceeding depends on the number, the appraiser's credibility is part of the report.
If heirs or trustees dispute the value, see Litigation Support and Expert Witness.
Turnaround
Normal turnaround is 3 to 5 business days from the inspection date.
Need it before a listing appointment or an offer deadline? Rush scheduling and rush reporting are available. Additional fees may apply — ask when you reach out.
Pricing
Residential appraisals: $600–$850 depending on property type and square footage.
Rush service and printed hard copy available as add-ons.
Commercial appraisals quoted on request.
Have questions about the process? See our FAQs here —>
Frequently Asked Questions
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A regular appraisal values a property as of today. A date of death appraisal values it as of a fixed date in the past, using the market as it stood on that day. The date is set by the owner's passing, so the appraisal has to get it right.
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Yes. Date of death appraisals are retroactive by design. Give us the exact date when you request it, and the value is based on the market on that date.
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Trustees, executors, and heirs, and the attorneys and CPAs working with them. It is commonly used for estate tax filings, trust distributions, and court proceedings. Your attorney or CPA can tell you what your filing requires.
How To Get Started
Fill out the request form and we'll follow up with a confirmation and a quote.
Are You An Attorney or CPA?
There's a page built specifically for professionals who refer clients for appraisals.
Not Sure If You Need One?
Call us directly at 714-409-6123 and describe your situation.
Normal turnaround is 3 to 5 business days from the inspection date. Rush service available at an extra cost.