Property, Vehicles, and Utilities
How do I value personal property for the estate?
Short answer
For common items: use reasonable fair market value (what you could sell it for today, not what it cost). For valuable items — jewelry, art, collectibles, antiques — get a professional appraisal. For probate purposes, an inventory and appraisal may be required…
What this usually means
For common items: use reasonable fair market value (what you could sell it for today, not what it cost). For valuable items — jewelry, art, collectibles, antiques — get a professional appraisal. For probate purposes, an inventory and appraisal may be required by the court.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.