Date of Death (DOD) Appraisals in Atlanta.
IRS-Compliant Valuations for Estate Settlement, Inheritance, and Probate
When a loved one passes, an accurate home appraisal is often required to settle the estate, file with the IRS, or distribute assets among heirs. We specialize in retrospective date of death appraisals that reflect the property’s value on the day the decedent passed—regardless of how much time has passed since.
What Is a Date of Death Appraisal?
A Date of Death (DOD) appraisal provides the fair market value of real property as of the exact date someone passed away. This valuation is critical for:
Estate tax reporting (IRS Form 706)
Capital gains basis step-up
Equitable distribution among heirs
Probate court filings
Trust management or dissolution
These are known as retrospective appraisals, meaning we determine what the market value was on a date in the past—not today. Our reports are USPAP-compliant, formatted for IRS and court use, and tailored for attorneys, CPAs, and estate executors.
Q: Why would the IRS require a date of death appraisal?
A: For estates over a certain value threshold, the IRS may require fair market value reporting for tax purposes. Even for smaller estates, a DOD appraisal can establish cost basis for capital gains and prevent future tax disputes.
Q: What if the person passed away months or years ago?
A: No problem. Retrospective appraisals are based on historical market data from that specific date. Whether the death occurred 3 months or 3 years ago, we use comparable sales from that time frame to determine accurate value.
Q: Can I get an appraisal now for a date in the past?
A: Yes. In fact, that’s exactly what a Date of Death appraisal is. You can also request a “current as-is value” alongside the DOD value for dual reporting.
Q: Will the appraisal hold up in court or with the IRS?
A: Yes. Our appraisals follow Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and are designed to meet IRS requirements and court scrutiny.
Q: Who can order a DOD appraisal?
A: Executors, personal representatives, trustees, surviving spouses, attorneys, or CPAs can all order the appraisal. In some cases, multiple heirs will jointly request one to ensure fair division.
How Much Does a Date of Death Appraisal Cost?
In the Atlanta area, a typical DOD appraisal ranges from $450 to $650, depending on the location, complexity, and how far back the valuation date is.
We provide clear flat-rate pricing, and can often rush reports when needed for probate deadlines or tax filings.