Who calls the appraiser?

​In a recent discussion about estate planning, a colleague asked about who should call the appraiser when a loved one has passed. During this time of difficult emotions, our answer is simple: the estate executor.
 
While it may be something we procrastinate, sitting down with an estate attorney to write your Will is a very clarifying gift to your family. Part of the process includes naming an executor for your estate. The executor can be a family member or a fiduciary representative. In either situation, the executor is the person who calls the appraiser.
 
When helping clients with an estate, it is our priority to acknowledge the wishes and intentions that are written in an estate plan. In a situation when anyone other than the executor calls the appraiser, for example, an heir, or spouse of an heir, it can create a conflict of interest. 
 
We make every effort to provide information to make estate planning and distribution easier and hope that you find this blog to be helpful. 
 
If you have any questions, please contact us.