Accurate, well-evidenced date-of-death valuations for probate and estate administration, prepared for solicitors, executors and personal representatives.
A probate valuation establishes the open market value of a property as at the date of the owner's death. That figure is required for the Statement of Affairs (Probate) Form SA.2 submitted to Revenue, and it forms the basis on which the estate is administered and any Capital Acquisitions Tax is calculated.
The date matters more than people expect. The valuation is not what the house is worth today. It is what it was worth on a specific past date, which may be months or even years ago. Getting that right requires evidence from the market as it stood then, not as it stands now.
A probate valuation is submitted to Revenue and relied upon by beneficiaries. Under-value the property and the estate risks a Revenue query, an amended return and, potentially, interest and penalties. Over-value it and beneficiaries may pay tax on value that was never there. Where the property is later sold, the difference between the probate value and the sale price has capital gains consequences for the estate.
A figure that is simply asserted is difficult to defend if it is questioned. A figure supported by documented comparable evidence from around the valuation date is straightforward to defend, because the reasoning is on the page.
Probate work almost always follows a bereavement, often recently. We keep the process as light as we reasonably can: we arrange the inspection at a time that suits the family, we do not need the house cleared or presented, and we deal directly with the solicitor on the paperwork if that is easier for you.
Yes. Retrospective valuation is routine work for us. We use comparable evidence from the market as it stood at the relevant date. See our Historic Valuation page for more.
Revenue and most solicitors will accept a valuation from a qualified professional. Where the estate is substantial, where beneficiaries may disagree, or where the property is unusual, a formal report from an accredited valuer is considerably more robust, and much easier to defend if it is questioned.
Yes, and we frequently do. Give us their details and we will liaise with them.
It matters to the valuation, which is exactly why we inspect. Condition is one of the factors we assess and reflect in the figure. You do not need to do anything to the property before we visit.
Email hello@jwl.ie. We can deal with you or your solicitor directly, whichever is easier.
Or email hello@jwl.ie