A signed bourbon bottle from a shuttered distillery, a set of Derby-era prints, or a set of silver that’s been in the family since a great-grandmother’s house in the Highlands – none of it has a clear price tag, and guessing wrong has real consequences. For estate tax filings, insurance claims, or simply dividing property fairly between siblings, Jefferson County families need a number that will hold up.
A qualified personal property appraiser provides that number in writing, backed by credentials that courts, insurers, and the IRS recognize, rather than an informal opinion from an antique dealer or an online estimate.
Personal property appraisers prepare written valuations for antiques, fine art, jewelry, silver, and general household contents, most often for estate tax filings (IRS Form 706), probate and equitable distribution between heirs, insurance coverage or damage claims, and charitable donation deductions. Appraisals are typically written to USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice), the standard most courts and the IRS require, and can often be done from photographs for simpler items or on-site for a full estate.
Every appraiser on this page was checked once, when first added to the directory, against professional membership in a recognized body such as the ASA (American Society of Appraisers), the ISA (International Society of Appraisers), or the AAA (Appraisers Association of America), along with confirmation that they’re actively serving the Louisville area.
The “Verified” badge reflects either that original credential check or a later request that our staff confirmed manually. Premium and Premium Plus listings are verified automatically as part of upgrading. Listing here is free for any qualifying appraiser; Premium is an optional upgrade for additional visibility, not a requirement.
Look for membership in the ASA, ISA, or AAA, along with USPAP compliance, which is the standard the IRS and most courts require for a written appraisal to be accepted.
Rates vary by company and item complexity, with some charging by the hour and others a flat rate per item or per report; several offer free initial consultations to scope the job before quoting.
For many single items, yes. More complex assignments, or a full estate with many categories of property, usually call for an on-site visit.
For estates that owe federal estate tax, the IRS generally requires a qualified written appraisal for personal property above a certain value, which is where USPAP compliance and IRS-qualified status matter.
Some do, often through a connected auction house, but appraisal and sale are separate services, and an independent appraisal is usually preferred when the value will be contested or reviewed by a court.