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Estate & Legal

What Is a Date-of-Death Appraisal?

Establishing a property's value as of a specific past date — a foundational step in most estate settlements.

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Estate & Legal4 min read

A date-of-death appraisal — also called a retrospective appraisal in this context — establishes an independent opinion of a property's value as of a specific date in the past, typically the date a property owner passed away. It's one of the most common appraisal requests tied to estate settlement.

Common Reasons One Is Ordered

Establishing fair market value as of a decedent's date of death for estate tax and step-up-in-basis purposes
Supporting an estate's asset inventory for probate court filings
Providing executors and heirs with a supportable, independent value for distribution decisions
Documenting value for a specific past date requested by an attorney, CPA, or estate professional

How the Research Actually Works

Because the effective date is in the past, the appraiser researches sales and market conditions that were relevant around that specific date — not today's market. This typically involves historical sales records, prior listing data if available, and any documentation of the property's condition around that time (photos, prior inspection reports, or family recollections of major changes).

A date-of-death appraisal can typically be ordered months or even years after the date itself — the historical research is what makes this type of assignment possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

It refers to the effective date the appraisal is valuing the property as of — typically the date the property owner passed away — rather than the date the appraiser actually inspects the property or writes the report.

It's generally the date used to establish the property's 'stepped-up' cost basis for tax purposes, and often the reference point for dividing estate assets fairly among heirs.

Yes — this is common. A date-of-death appraisal is a form of retrospective appraisal, researching market data and conditions as they existed on that past date, even if the report itself is prepared months or years later.

No — a current-value appraisal reflects today's market. A date-of-death appraisal reflects the market as of a specific past date, which requires researching historical comparable sales relevant to that period rather than today's market.

Executors, administrators, trustees, attorneys, and CPAs handling estate settlement, tax filings, or probate matters.

Continue Learning

Next RecommendedRetrospective Appraisal ExplainedRelated TopicDo I Need an Appraisal for Probate?Explore Preparing for an AppraisalDocuments to Give Your Appraiser

This information is provided for general educational purposes about estate-related appraisals and is not legal or tax advice. Consult an estate attorney or CPA about your specific filing and basis requirements.

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