Valuation

Do I need a professional appraisal for assets in my trust?

You typically need professional appraisals for complex assets like real estate, business interests, collectibles, or artwork when creating your trust or after death for tax purposes. Simple assets like bank accounts and publicly traded stocks don't require appraisals since their values are readily available. Professional valuations become especially important if your estate approaches the federal exemption threshold of $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Jan 2, 2026, as accurate valuations can significantly impact estate tax liability.