Estate & Trust Planning Appraisals
Estate and trust planning happens during life, not just after death. We provide valuations that help owners, attorneys, and advisors structure transfers, gifting, and holdings before they're needed—so the plan is built on defensible numbers.
Estate and trust planning appraisals value commercial real estate as part of lifetime planning—structuring transfers to family or entities, gifting strategies, trust funding, and the reorganization of holdings. It is an appraisal assignment focused on proposed or contemplated transfers, so the value often supports a decision that hasn't been made yet. The deliverable is an appraisal report with a supported value conclusion.
Planning valuations differ from date-of-death or probate work: they look forward to contemplated transfers rather than back at a past event. We do not provide tax or legal advice, and we don't promise a particular tax outcome. The applicable value definition and effective date are confirmed with the owner's attorney and tax advisor, since planning strategies vary.
When Clients Need This Service
Owners and their attorneys request planning valuations when they're structuring how commercial real estate will pass to the next generation or to entities—funding a trust, making lifetime gifts, contributing to an LLC, or rebalancing holdings. Financial advisors use them to model the impact of a transfer.
For example, an owner planning to transfer commercial property to a trust over several years may need periodic valuations to support the gifting strategy. An attorney structuring a holding company may need the value of each contributed property. In each case, a defensible appraisal lets the advisor build the plan on real numbers rather than estimates.
What the Analysis Considers
The factors relevant to this assignment vary with the property and the question being asked. Depending on the agreed scope, the analysis may consider:
- The planning strategy and the contemplated transfer, confirmed with the owner's attorney
- The applicable definition of value and effective date for the planning purpose
- Whether the whole property or a partial/entity interest is the subject
- Current market value based on comparable sales, income, and cost evidence
- Leases, occupancy, and operating expenses for income property
- Any discounts for lack of control or marketability where a fractional interest is contemplated, as supported
- Whether the valuation may need to be updated as the plan progresses
Not every assignment applies all three valuation approaches. The approaches used depend on the property type, available data, and the assignment's intended use.
Documents & Information That May Help
Providing the following can streamline an assignment, but not every item is required to begin. We can discuss what is available during the initial call.
The planning strategy and contemplated transfer
From your attorney
Property address and ownership documents
Current rent roll, leases, and operating statements
Entity or trust documents
If an interest is involved
The value definition and date the advisor requires
How the Engagement Works
Every engagement begins with a conversation so the scope, fee, and timing fit the property and the question you need answered. A typical engagement moves through these stages:
Initial discussion
We learn the planning goal, the property, and the contemplated transfer.
Scope confirmation
We confirm the definition of value, effective date, report format, fee, and timing.
Information collection
We gather ownership, lease, and entity documents relevant to the valuation.
Inspection & research
We inspect when appropriate and research market evidence for the required date.
Analysis & delivery
We conclude value and deliver the report for the advisor's use in the plan.
Scope, fees, and timing depend on the property type, assignment complexity, and the report format the client or intended user requires. We confirm these in writing before work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this service.
Closely Related Services
Request Your
Free Appraisal Quote
Tell us about your property and what you need the valuation to address. To help us respond quickly, please include the property address, property type, assignment purpose, the relevant valuation date, and your requested completion date.
Gold Rush Appraisal provides commercial real estate valuations across the Atlanta metro area. Call us directly or send the details through the form and we'll get back to you promptly.
404-882-7881