Estate & Probate Appraisal in Contra Costa County

What is a probate appraisal?

A probate appraisal is a certified opinion of a property's fair market value, prepared for use in the estate administration process. When real property is part of a decedent's estate going through California probate court, an independent appraisal is required to establish its value for the court record, asset distribution, and tax purposes.

Brandi Hudson (CA Certified Residential Appraiser #AR029078) provides probate appraisals throughout Contra Costa and Alameda County that are prepared in full compliance with USPAP standards and formatted for estate attorneys, trustees, and court review.

When is an estate appraisal needed?

• When real property is part of an estate going through California probate court
• To complete the inventory and appraisement (Form DE-160) required by probate court
• When beneficiaries or heirs need an independent value for equitable distribution
• When the estate is subject to California or federal estate tax obligations
• When a property is being sold through the probate process
• For trust accounting and fiduciary reporting purposes

Who uses estate appraisals?

Estate appraisals serve a wide range of clients going through the settlement process:

• Executors and administrators fulfilling their fiduciary duty to value estate assets accurately
• Trustees managing real property held in trust
• Estate attorneys representing families in probate proceedings
• CPAs and tax professionals preparing estate tax returns
• Financial advisors helping families understand total estate value
• Heirs and beneficiaries who need clarity on what they're receiving

How the process works

Every estate appraisal begins with a thorough inspection of the subject property, followed by careful market research using comparable sales data from the relevant time period. The final report documents our methodology, the comparable sales selected, and our well-supported opinion of value.

We communicate clearly throughout the process and are available to answer questions from you, your attorney, or your CPA. Our goal is to make a difficult time as straightforward as possible.

What is included in the report?

• Full interior and exterior property inspection
• Market value opinion as of the required effective date
• Comparable sales analysis with documented support
• USPAP-compliant written report
• Formatted for estate attorney and court review

Why credentials matter for estate appraisals

California probate courts and estate attorneys require appraisals from state-certified appraisers. With 25 years of certified residential appraisal experience and deep knowledge of Contra Costa and Alameda County markets — including waterfront, rural, and unique property types — Hudson Valuation Group provides reports that hold up under scrutiny.

Service area

We provide estate and probate appraisals throughout Contra Costa County including Walnut Creek, Danville, San Ramon, Concord, Lafayette, Alamo, Orinda, Brentwood, Antioch, Discovery Bay, Pittsburg, and Martinez, and throughout Alameda County including Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, Fremont, Castro Valley, Berkeley, and Oakland.