Appraisals – Expert Witness

Before you insure the contents of your home, make a donation to a charitable foundation or consider selling your fine or decorative art object, know the proper value of your item with a professional appraisal.

Our clients’ satisfaction is our primary goal.  We take pride in providing you with the highest quality appraisal standards and service, which are in conformance to the ethical standards and procedures set forth by the Appraisers Board, thereby honoring our allegiance to the integrity of our occupation.

Honored to have been selected by, most notably State Farm Insurance, as one of the primary appraisal companies during the Northridge, California Earthquake of 1994.  Our experienced staff has provided thousands of appraisals during the aftermath of the quake.  We fully understand the urgency that any appraisal entails and we are first and foremost at the service of our clients in their time of need.  To make appraisal appointments please contact us via phone or email.

Charity Donations Appraisals
Paintings, Antiques, and Other Objects of Art
Your deduction for contributions of paintings, antiques, and other objects of art, should be supported by a written appraisal from a qualified and reputable source, unless the deduction is $5,000 or less.

We provide all services mandated by the IRS as follows:
^{IRS Form 8283 Instructions 513 indicates that if the claimed deduction for an item or group of similar items of donated property is more than $5,000, you must get a qualified appraisal made by a qualified appraiser. You must also complete Form 8283, Section B, and attach it to your tax return. A qualified appraisal is made, signed, and dated by a qualified appraiser  in accordance with generally accepted appraisal standards,
Meets the relevant requirements of Regulations section 1.170A-13(c)(3) and Notice 2006-96, 2006-46 I.R.B. 902 (available at www.irs.gov/irb/2006-46_IRB/ar13.html),} 

Collection Inventories
Household Contents Inventories for Insurance

Personal property and commercial inventories and cataloguing services available for all end use purposes,  Inventories will be tailored to the specific situation and the fees will be negotiated after the initial inspection and determination of the scope of work.  

Insurance Appraisals

The insurance appraisal is an important way to protect your investment in personal property such as furniture, antiques, porcelain, silver, paintings and collectibles. This appraisal will provide the necessary documentation to substantiate the existence, condition and replacement value of your belongings. It is prudent to have an update done every 3 to 5 years or ahead of any pending household move to insure values accurately reflect the cost of replacing these items in the current market.

Estate Appraisals

When an estate is taxable, all property (including personal property) needs to be valued. A knowledgeable appraiser will seek to efficiently catalogue the property providing an appraisal that meets IRS requirements but without the level of detail normally provided for an insurance appraisal.
Insurance companies, tax authorities, attorneys and the courts prefer the values and analysis of a Certified Appraiser given the level of education, testing and experience they are required to have. Our appraisal reports are delivered to USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) standards which fully comply with all federal and state documentary requirements.

Equitable Distribution Appraisals

Equitable Distribution Appraisals, which are based on fair market value, are often used for distributing property in divorce settlements. These appraisals can also benefit clients looking to pass on antiques and family heirlooms to their children. The valuations provided can serve as a useful guide in these circumstances.

Pre-Moving Appraisals

It is very important for consumers to understand the limited level of protection for damage or loss that can apply to moves unless a proper policy is taken.  A pre-move appraisal will also help provide an inventory of your high value items.  This appraisal can be helpful in two ways:  1) it can substantiate the higher value items and their existence  2) it can provide necessary information needed to purchase additional insurance for your move.

Most moving companies will offer you a Valuation Program instead of a traditional insurance policy.  Valuation is not insurance but instead a tariff level of motor carrier liability.  If you want insurance you must provide that for yourself by contacting an insurance company.
Most moving companies have two types of Valuation Programs:
It is important that homeowners know about the differences between Valuation and Insurance.  Many homeowners feel that they are covered by insurance for a move when they are only covered for the repair or replacement of the item upon the discretion of the moving company.  Note that High Value Items are covered for the value amount that you put on the forms before the move.  If you have incorrectly valued them, it then becomes your problem if one of those items is damaged or lost.  If the item is lost or broken and it is not on the form, then you will only receive $100 per pound for the item.  You can understand how upsetting it could be to receive a couple of hundred dollars for something as valuable as a Tiffany Vase!

Here are the examples:

1. Released Rate Liability which is the basic coverage provided to you during a move.  Under this program the maximum liability for damage or loss to any article in the shipment is 60 cents multiplied by the weight of the article.  This is usually the standard protection that a moving company must provide at no additional charge.  In this instance, depreciation does apply but there is no deductible and no added cost to the customer.

2. Full Value Coverage.  Under this plan the moving company can either repair the item to the extent necessary to restore it to the same condition as it was when it was received by the moving company or replace it with an item of like kind and quality or pay for the cost of such a replacement.

An additional charge is required for this option and it is usually up to the moving company to determine a settlement if something is damaged or lost.  A deductible may apply with this type of coverage.

In the moving industry, items having a value of more than $100 per pound are known as articles of extraordinary value.  All articles of extraordinary value in your shipment must be listed on the High Value Inventory Form which will be given to you by the moving company.  Although you might have other articles of extraordinary value, the following list should help you identify items that might fall under this classification: jewelry, furs, art, coin collections, crystal figurines, antiques, oriental rugs, precious stones or gems, china and silverware.  In the event of a claim, any settlement involving an article of extraordinary value listed on the High Value Inventory Form is limited to the declared value of the items, based upon the Valuation Program applicable to your shipment.  If an article of extraordinary value is not listed on the form, the moving company's maximum liability is often limited to $100 per pound per article.