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Date of Death Appraisals Attleboro MA
Date of Death Appraisals, Time of Death Appraisals,
Appraisals for Probate, Historical or Retrospective Appraisals
Managing an estate after a loved one passes can be emotionally challenging and logistically complicated. Most people only learn what estate settlement involves when they suddenly become the executor, administrator, or court-appointed representative. It can feel overwhelming — especially while you’re grieving and trying to make sense of legal requirements. That’s where Cullen Real Estate and Appraisal Company steps in with services including date of death appraisals in Attleboro, MA.
Our firm specializes in estate-related appraisal services throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, providing steady guidance and reliable valuations during a difficult time.
What is an Estate Appraisal?
Estate appraisals are often required to fairly distribute assets among heirs or beneficiaries. They must be conducted by a certified appraiser in the state where the property is located. These reports capture a snapshot of the home’s value at a specific point in time and serve as essential documentation for legal and financial proceedings.
Common reasons you may need an estate appraisal include:
- Estate or inheritance tax filings (IRS and state requirements)
- Probate court documentation
- Equitable distribution of assets between heirs
- Estate planning purposes
- Resolving disputes or supporting legal proceedings
Depending on what the court or your advisors request, the appraisal may reflect the property’s value as of the date your loved one passed away or as of today. Both current-value and retrospective valuations can be provided when needed.
What is a Date of Death Appraisal?
A Date of Death Appraisal (sometimes called a date-of-death valuation or retrospective appraisal) establishes the property’s Fair Market Value as of the exact date the owner passed.
This type of appraisal is typically ordered for:
- Estate tax calculations
- Probate filings
- Trust distributions
- Settlement of the decedent’s real property
These assignments must be completed by a qualified, state-certified appraiser — the IRS specifically requires a credentialed professional. Although the inspection may occur weeks or months after the passing, the valuation is based strictly on market conditions as of that historical date.
If the real estate market has changed significantly since that time, we can also provide a current market valuation for comparison.
Appraisal Process
Many families want to know how to prepare for an appraisal. The good news is: you don’t need to do anything ahead of time. We handle every step for you.
Here’s what to expect:
1. Property Inspection
Tom personally visits the home to perform a complete interior and exterior inspection. He evaluates features such as condition, quality, upgrades, and amenities — all of which influence market value.
2. Research and Property Analysis
We thoroughly review public records, FEMA flood maps, municipal data, and property history. Mapping, neighborhood characteristics, and location details are all considered.
3. Comparable Sales Review
The most critical step is identifying the sales that best reflect the home’s value. We look for transactions that are:
- Most similar to the subject property
- Geographically close
- As near as possible to the date of death
4. Final Appraisal Report
Your completed report includes the value conclusion and every piece of supporting documentation. It is 100% defensible and suitable for attorneys, accountants, financial planners, and probate court.
FAQ’s about Date of Death Appraisals
According to the IRS, an appraisal should be done within six months following the date of death. However, we find that every estate situation is different, and we certainly do not proclaim to be attorneys or accountants, therefore we ask that you check with your attorney or tax professional first. We will do our very best to accommodate your specific needs. We want to make sure that you are making a wise financial decision for yourself and your family!
The date of death appraisal is needed to determine the fair market value of the real estate as of the owner’s date of death. This is necessary when settling the estate either in probate, settling the IRS estate tax or equitably dividing the asset.
FMV stands for Fair Market Value. According to the IRS, Fair Market Value is “…the price that property would sell for on the open market. In our words, Tom Cullen says that it is “the most probable price that the typical purchaser would purchase this property for”
If the market has changed significantly and we feel that there is a change in value between the date of death and what the current value of the property, we can also provide a current market value either at the time that we issue the date of death appraisal, or we can also do this at any point thereafter. We will have been to the home already, and a second site visit will not be necessary. Please note, if the dates are close enough, sometimes only one appraisal will be needed.
Ready to get started with this service?
Cullen Real Estate
and Appraisal Company
Residential Real Estate Appraisals Massachusetts and Rhode Island
- (978) 315-0141
- (401) 919-7114
- info@cullenrealestate.flywheelsites.com
- 68 Harrison Ave 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
- Mailing Address: PO Box 371 Harmony, RI 02829
Locations SerVICED
In Massachusetts we service the following counties:
- Suffolk County
- Middlesex County
- Norfolk County
- Worcester County
- Essex County
- Bristol County
- Plymouth County
- Barnstable County
- All of Rhode Island
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