When a Minnesota estate includes personal property — art, antiques, furniture, collectibles, jewelry, or household contents — a professional appraisal isn’t just helpful. In many cases, it’s legally required.
Whether you’re an executor working through probate, an attorney preparing an estate tax return, or a family navigating the distribution of a loved one’s belongings, The Expert Appraisal Company provides USPAP-compliant personal property appraisals that meet IRS and court standards.
A personal property estate appraisal establishes the fair market value of tangible items as of a specific date — typically the date of death. Fair market value is defined by the IRS as the price a willing buyer and seller would agree to when neither is under compulsion and both have reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts.
This is the value standard used for:
For estates filing Form 706, the IRS requires that personal property be valued at fair market value. When an estate includes items with significant or uncertain value — fine art, antiques, jewelry, collections, or substantial household contents — a qualified appraisal from a credentialed appraiser is the standard of care expected by the IRS and relied upon by estate attorneys and CPAs.
A qualified appraisal must be prepared by a qualified appraiser: someone with verifiable education, credentials, and demonstrated competency in the relevant property types — and no financial interest in the estate
Not everyone who calls themselves an appraiser meets the IRS definition of a qualified appraiser. The credential matters.
I hold the ISA CAPP — Certified Appraiser of Personal Property — awarded by the International Society of Appraisers. Fewer than 110 people in the United States hold this designation. It represents demonstrated expertise across multiple property categories, rigorous examination, and ongoing USPAP compliance.
My appraisals are prepared in accordance with USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) — the national standard for professional appraisal practice — and are structured to meet IRS requirements for estate tax and probate purposes.
I bring no conflicts of interest to your engagement. I do not sell, auction, or broker the property I appraise on behalf of estate clients.
Estate collections in Minnesota frequently include a wide range of personal property. My appraisal work covers:
Whether the estate holds a handful of significant pieces or an entire household of contents, I provide thorough, item-level documentation with defensible value conclusions.
Every estate appraisal begins with a conversation. I’ll ask about the scope of the property, the purpose of the appraisal, and the timeline you’re working with. From there, the process typically includes:
Based in eastern Iowa, I serve clients throughout the Twin Cities metro, greater Minnesota, and the Upper Midwest. I travel to estate locations and work directly with executors, estate attorneys, trust officers, and family members navigating the process.
If you’re working with a Minnesota estate and need a personal property appraisal, I’d welcome the conversation.
Contact us by phone at 563-203-0298, email at: elizabeth@expertappraisalco.com, or fill out our contact for here.
A note on scope: My practice covers personal property — furniture, art, antiques, collectibles, and related tangible assets. I do not appraise real estate.
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