Appraisals

Whenever there is a question about the value of your personal property, there is also a risk involved. It may be the risk of selling too low, or of paying too much; the risk of being under or over insured; the risk of not getting your fair share in a division of property; or the risk of incurring tax penalties or being audited when claiming a deduction for a charitable contribution or when calculating estate taxes.
Webb Auction & Appraisal helps you manage these and other such risks by providing a written opinion of value upon which you can base your financial decisions. Rather than being just an “educated guess,” the professional appraiser’s value conclusions are based on prescribed methods or evaluation, research, and report writing.
Bankers, financiers, investors, insurers, adjusters, estate managers, trustees, executors, attorneys, judges, and federal and state tax agencies are ALL dependent upon the knowledge and expertise of the personal property appraiser, and so should you be. Too often and usually too late, people find out that the appraisals they have are inaccurate or misleading, resulting not only in greater risk to themselves, but also in a waste of consumer dollars.
Webb Auction & Appraisal will be able to present a well-thought-out typewritten report presenting the values for the requested function. Including the following aspects:

• Cover Document
• Complete and Accurate Description of the Property
• Limitations and Qualifying Conditions 
• Statement of the Appraiser’s Financial Interest or Disinterest
• Date of Inspection
• Effective Date of Value
  

ESTATE SETTLEMENT AND PROBATE

Many clients are unaware that the personal property of an estate must be inventoried and valued during the probate process. This requires the services of a qualified appraiser who must provide a value of the estate’s contents as of the date of the decedent’s death. If this is not done in a timely fashion, the estate may be rejected by the state court system.
We are experienced in providing legal appraisals for purposes of estate settlement and state probate that can assist you or your personal representative in their obligations involving state and federal tax liability.

INSURANCE

Antiques, family heirlooms, art objects and collectibles can be valuable assets. Unfortunately, most people rely on their homeowners insurance for protection against loss. They are unaware that their policies usually exclude antiques, coin collections, furs and fine art objects. To ensure complete replacement cost coverage for you rare and one-of-a-kind items, you should have your personal property appraised by a qualified appraiser.
We specialize in providing appraisals for purposes of insurance replacement often required in claims involving loss, moving damage, theft, damage or destruction from fire, smoke or flood.

NOTICE:

 (We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. As laws differ from state to state, you should seek the opinion of an attorney for advice on legal matters. )

CHARITABLE DONATIONS, GIFT TAX AND CASUALTY LOSS

If you’re considering making a tax-deductible, non-cash, charitable contribution or need to file a casualty loss claim, we can assist you with a federal tax appraisal. We follow the Internal Revenue Service’s strict requirements regarding the submission of formal appraisals from a qualified appraiser.

DAMAGE CLAIMS
If you need an appraisal to establish the value of a personal property item that is the subject of an insurance damage claim, we can help. We are experienced in providing replacement cost estimates for antiques, fine art and general residential contents that have been damaged or destroyed by flood, fire and theft. We have assisted policy holders, insurance companies and professional carriers in their efforts to settle outstanding claims. We can also provide referrals to professional and licensed art conservators, restoration experts and authenticators in your area.

DIVORCE
Preparing and managing a civil divorce can be a complicated and difficult procedure. Laws differ from state to state, but each partner is often entitled to some portion of all marital property. Distribution of marital assets requires a careful description and valuation of furniture, accessories, jewelry, antiques and other household items. We can help by providing a careful inventory and accurate appraisal of your commonly held personal property. Your attorney will receive a thorough, objective report that meets the standards and guidelines of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and satisfies the requirements of court-ordered, equitable distribution.