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Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Virginia. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.
Personal property in Virginia is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.Va. Code § 64.2-601 (small estate $75K threshold and 60-day waiting period), § 64.2-600 (small asset definition, personal property only, real property excluded), § 64.2-1208 (fiduciary compensation; reasonable, no statutory percentage), § 64.2-504 (bond requirement), § 64.2-505 (bond waiver by will), § 64.2-508 (notice to heirs/beneficiaries within 30 days; no newspaper publication), § 64.2-529 (PR liability protection after 12 months from qualification), § 64.2-550 (creditor proof-of-debts hearing before commissioner of accounts; newspaper publication required), § 64.2-1200 (Commissioner of Accounts), § 64.2-1300 (inventory due within 4 months of qualification), §§ 64.2-1305 et seq. (accountings to commissioner of accounts), § 58.1-1712 (state probate tax $0.10/$100; $15K exemption), § 58.1-1718 (optional local probate tax = 1/3 of state tax), § 17.1-275(A)(3) (circuit court qualification fees: $20/$25/$30 by estate value tier; $5K or less no fee); law.lis.virginia.gov; vacourts.govVerified May 27, 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. Virginia probate fees are typically 2-4% of the estate value, which includes personal property.Va. Code § 64.2-601 (small estate $75K threshold and 60-day waiting period), § 64.2-600 (small asset definition, personal property only, real property excluded), § 64.2-1208 (fiduciary compensation; reasonable, no statutory percentage), § 64.2-504 (bond requirement), § 64.2-505 (bond waiver by will), § 64.2-508 (notice to heirs/beneficiaries within 30 days; no newspaper publication), § 64.2-529 (PR liability protection after 12 months from qualification), § 64.2-550 (creditor proof-of-debts hearing before commissioner of accounts; newspaper publication required), § 64.2-1200 (Commissioner of Accounts), § 64.2-1300 (inventory due within 4 months of qualification), §§ 64.2-1305 et seq. (accountings to commissioner of accounts), § 58.1-1712 (state probate tax $0.10/$100; $15K exemption), § 58.1-1718 (optional local probate tax = 1/3 of state tax), § 17.1-275(A)(3) (circuit court qualification fees: $20/$25/$30 by estate value tier; $5K or less no fee); law.lis.virginia.gov; vacourts.govVerified May 27, 2026 Accurate fair market valuations — rather than purchase prices — keep the reported estate value lower. Use the Virginia probate calculator to estimate total costs.
Estates with personal property under $75,000 in Virginia may qualify for simplified probate, which avoids full probate.Va. Code § 64.2-601 (small estate $75K threshold and 60-day waiting period), § 64.2-600 (small asset definition, personal property only, real property excluded), § 64.2-1208 (fiduciary compensation; reasonable, no statutory percentage), § 64.2-504 (bond requirement), § 64.2-505 (bond waiver by will), § 64.2-508 (notice to heirs/beneficiaries within 30 days; no newspaper publication), § 64.2-529 (PR liability protection after 12 months from qualification), § 64.2-550 (creditor proof-of-debts hearing before commissioner of accounts; newspaper publication required), § 64.2-1200 (Commissioner of Accounts), § 64.2-1300 (inventory due within 4 months of qualification), §§ 64.2-1305 et seq. (accountings to commissioner of accounts), § 58.1-1712 (state probate tax $0.10/$100; $15K exemption), § 58.1-1718 (optional local probate tax = 1/3 of state tax), § 17.1-275(A)(3) (circuit court qualification fees: $20/$25/$30 by estate value tier; $5K or less no fee); law.lis.virginia.gov; vacourts.govVerified May 27, 2026 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Virginia 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. Virginia probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.Va. Code § 64.2-601 (small estate $75K threshold and 60-day waiting period), § 64.2-600 (small asset definition, personal property only, real property excluded), § 64.2-1208 (fiduciary compensation; reasonable, no statutory percentage), § 64.2-504 (bond requirement), § 64.2-505 (bond waiver by will), § 64.2-508 (notice to heirs/beneficiaries within 30 days; no newspaper publication), § 64.2-529 (PR liability protection after 12 months from qualification), § 64.2-550 (creditor proof-of-debts hearing before commissioner of accounts; newspaper publication required), § 64.2-1200 (Commissioner of Accounts), § 64.2-1300 (inventory due within 4 months of qualification), §§ 64.2-1305 et seq. (accountings to commissioner of accounts), § 58.1-1712 (state probate tax $0.10/$100; $15K exemption), § 58.1-1718 (optional local probate tax = 1/3 of state tax), § 17.1-275(A)(3) (circuit court qualification fees: $20/$25/$30 by estate value tier; $5K or less no fee); law.lis.virginia.gov; vacourts.govVerified May 27, 2026
Total probate costs in Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia. The Virginia probate need checker determines which assets require probate.
In-depth guides covering Virginia probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
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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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