Resources for Appraisals, Liquidations & Property Transitions

Managing an estate, property transition, insurance claim, divorce, bankruptcy, or charitable donation often requires more than an opinion of value. The Peterson Exchange provides practical resources to help attorneys, fiduciaries, families, insurers, and property owners understand the appraisal, liquidation, and estate-clearing process.

Explore our guides, checklists, frequently asked questions, and professional resources below.

Appraisal Resources

• When Do You Need an Estate Appraisal?

• Estate Tax Appraisals and IRS Form 706

• What Makes an Appraisal USPAP-Compliant?

• What Is an IRS-Qualified Appraiser?

• Personal Property Appraisals: What Is Included?

• Fair Market Value vs. Replacement Cost

• Appraisals for Divorce and Equitable Distribution

• Bankruptcy and Liquidation Appraisals

• Charitable Donation Appraisals

• Insurance Scheduling and Post-Loss Valuation

• Appraising Fine Art, Jewelry, Firearms, Coins, and Collectibles

• How to Prepare for an On-Site Appraisal

• Estate Settlement Checklist

• What to Do After Someone Dies: Personal Property

• How to Inventory Household Contents

• How to Identify Valuable Items in an Estate

• What Executors Should Know About Estate Contents

• Estate Cleanout vs. Estate Liquidation

• When to Appraise Before Selling or Distributing Assets

• How to Handle Personal Property Among Multiple Heirs

• Estate Sale, Auction, Buyout, or Consignment?

• Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Estate Liquidation Company

• How an Estate Auction Works

• Online Auction vs. Traditional Estate Sale

• What Happens During an Estate Liquidation?

• How Long Does an Estate Auction Take?

• What Items Should Be Sold at Auction?

• How Consignment Works

• How Auction Proceeds Are Distributed

• Selling One Valuable Item vs. an Entire Estate

• How to Prepare a Property for Auction

• Common Mistakes When Liquidating an Estate

• Senior Move Management Checklist

• Downsizing Without Becoming Overwhelmed

• What to Keep, Sell, Donate, or Discard

• How to Prepare a Home for Sale After Downsizing

• Estate Clearing After a Move or Death

• How Families Can Divide Household Contents

• Donation Management and Personal Property

• Preparing a Vacant Property for Sale

• Handling Sensitive or High-Value Household Contents

• How Much Time Should You Allow for Estate Clearing?

• Estate Appraisal Planning Checklist

• Executor’s Personal Property Checklist

• Estate Liquidation Decision Guide

• What to Gather Before an Appraisal

• Professional Referral Partner Guide

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