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Home→Tools→Personal Property Value Estimator→Delaware

What Are My Personal Items Worth for Probate in Delaware?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Delaware. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal property in Delaware is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.delcode.delaware.gov: 12 Del. C. § 2305 (commissions & attorney fees per Court of Chancery rules), § 2306 (distribution without letters / small estate), § 2308 (surviving spouse $7,500 allowance), § 2101 (creditor notice & publication), § 2102 (creditor claims 8-month bar), § 1522 (bond not required by default), § 1523 (bond amount), § 1524 (demand for bond), § 2510 (county-set filing fees). Verified 2026-04-14.Verified Apr 14, 2026 Most household items (furniture, electronics, clothing) lose 50-90% of their value. Professional appraisals are used for art, collectibles, jewelry, and other high-value items.

Yes. Delaware probate fees are typically 2-4% of the estate value, which includes personal property.delcode.delaware.gov: 12 Del. C. § 2305 (commissions & attorney fees per Court of Chancery rules), § 2306 (distribution without letters / small estate), § 2308 (surviving spouse $7,500 allowance), § 2101 (creditor notice & publication), § 2102 (creditor claims 8-month bar), § 1522 (bond not required by default), § 1523 (bond amount), § 1524 (demand for bond), § 2510 (county-set filing fees). Verified 2026-04-14.Verified Apr 14, 2026 Accurate fair market valuations — rather than purchase prices — keep the reported estate value lower. Use the Delaware probate calculator to estimate total costs.

Estates with personal property under $30,000 in Delaware may qualify for Distribution Without Letters, which avoids full probate.delcode.delaware.gov: 12 Del. C. § 2305 (commissions & attorney fees per Court of Chancery rules), § 2306 (distribution without letters / small estate), § 2308 (surviving spouse $7,500 allowance), § 2101 (creditor notice & publication), § 2102 (creditor claims 8-month bar), § 1522 (bond not required by default), § 1523 (bond amount), § 1524 (demand for bond), § 2510 (county-set filing fees). Verified 2026-04-14.Verified Apr 14, 2026 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Delaware probate need checker.

High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles typically require professional appraisals. For typical household items — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing — fair market value can be estimated using comparable sales data. Delaware probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.delcode.delaware.gov: 12 Del. C. § 2305 (commissions & attorney fees per Court of Chancery rules), § 2306 (distribution without letters / small estate), § 2308 (surviving spouse $7,500 allowance), § 2101 (creditor notice & publication), § 2102 (creditor claims 8-month bar), § 1522 (bond not required by default), § 1523 (bond amount), § 1524 (demand for bond), § 2510 (county-set filing fees). Verified 2026-04-14.Verified Apr 14, 2026

Total probate costs in Delaware include attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. Personal property value is one component of the gross estate that determines fee calculations. The Delaware probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

Not necessarily. Items with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts), jointly held property, and assets in a trust bypass probate. Only personal property owned solely by the deceased passes through probate in Delaware. The Delaware probate need checker determines which assets require probate.

Personal Property Valuation in Delaware

Probate attorney fees in Delaware typically range from 2%12 Del. C. § 2305 (fees "as provided by rule of the Court of Chancery"; no statutory percentage)Verified Apr 14, 2026 to 4%12 Del. C. § 2305 (fees "as provided by rule of the Court of Chancery"; no statutory percentage)Verified Apr 14, 2026 of the estate value. Personal property is part of that calculation, so reporting items at fair market value rather than original cost keeps the total lower.

Delaware allows simplified procedures for estates under $30,000§ 2306Verified Apr 14, 2026. Fair market valuations of household items — which are typically far below purchase prices — can bring an estate under the threshold. The Delaware probate need checker evaluates eligibility.

Court filing fees in Delaware start at $30 - $1,905 (based on estate value)Del. Code tit. 12, § 2510Verified Apr 14, 2026. Combined with attorney fees, executor compensation, and publication costs, total probate expenses depend heavily on the reported estate value. The Delaware probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated April 14, 2026

Legal Sources

  • § 2306
  • 12 Del. C. § 2305 (fees "as provided by rule of the Court of Chancery"; no statutory percentage)
  • Del. Code tit. 12, § 2510

Data sourced from Delaware statutes and official state code. How we research.

Delaware Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Delaware probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

Click to add a row

Build your property inventory

Click categories on the left to add items. Name each item, pick a type, and enter what you paid.

These estimates are based on general resale market data and insurance industry depreciation guides. They are approximations, not professional appraisals. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay on the open market. For high-value items or contested estates, consult a certified appraiser.

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