USPAP CERTIFIED
Chicago Personal Property Appraisers
Chicago personal property appraisal services for estates, donations, insurance, and litigation matters. We appraise fine art, collectibles, household contents, jewelry, and more. Our appraisers hold credentials with leading organizations including the ASA, ISA, and AAA, and every report is prepared in accordance with USPAP.
- USPAP-compliant reports
- Defensible valuations for IRS filings
- Chicago-based expertise
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Request an Appraisal
What We Appraise
Chicago Personal Property Appraisers delivers USPAP-compliant appraisals of household contents, fine art, decorative arts, furniture, and more
Chicago Personal Property Appraisers provides USPAP-compliant valuations across a wide range of asset categories. Whether you need an appraisal for estate settlement, insurance, or litigation, our team delivers defensible reports prepared to professional standards. For federal estate filings, see our [personal property appraisal for estate tax](/personal-property-appraisal-estate-tax) services, and for noncash gifts to charity, see our [personal property appraisal for charitable donation](/personal-property-appraisal-charitable-donation) services. For guidance on probate, divorce, and IRS donation reviews across Illinois, read our [personal property appraisal guides](/blog).
Fine Art & Paintings
Oil, acrylic, watercolor, and mixed-media works valued for estate, donation, insurance, and acquisition purposes.
Jewelry & Watches
Diamonds, gemstones, precious metals, and timepieces appraised with gemological expertise and market documentation.
Antiques, Furniture, & Decorative Arts
Period furniture, textiles, ceramics, and collectibles authenticated and valued by trained specialists.
Firearms & Militaria
Firearms, military artifacts, and historical items assessed for condition, provenance, and fair market value.
Coins, Currency & Bullion
Rare coins, numismatic collections, and precious metals evaluated using current market standards and grading protocols.
Collections & Estates
Multi-asset personal property inventories appraised comprehensively for probate, settlement, or insurance scheduling.
Our Process
How It Works
- 01
Submit Your Details
Tell us about the items you need appraised, their condition, and your intended use for the appraisal.
- 02
Appraisal & Evaluation
Your appraiser conducts a thorough evaluation using market research, comparable sales data, and professional judgment.
- 03
USPAP-Compliant Report
You receive a detailed, professionally prepared report meeting all USPAP standards and suitable for your stated purpose.
- 04
Ready to Use
Your appraisal is defensible and ready for tax filings, insurance claims, estate planning, or any other intended use.
Guides
Guides on Appraisals
Practical reads on appraisal valuation, appraisal requirements, and preparing for your report.
Does Illinois Have Its Own Estate Tax and How Does Personal Property Factor In?
Illinois imposes its own estate tax with a $4 million exclusion, far below the federal threshold, and tangible personal property like art, jewelry, and collections counts toward that number at fair market value. Here's how that math works and why an appraisal matters before you file.
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Chicago Charities and Museums That Accept Art, Antique, and Collection Donations
Chicago museums, university collections, and general donation centers each accept art and antiques under different terms, and knowing which one fits your item matters before you make a call. This guide walks through what each recipient type typically accepts and where a qualified appraisal fits into your tax deduction.
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Which Estate Items Need a Professional Appraisal? A Chicago Executor's Triage Guide
Not every item in a Chicago estate needs a credentialed appraiser, but IRS Form 706 and Illinois probate law both draw lines that determine which estate items need a professional appraisal and which can be listed in bulk. This guide gives executors a clear triage: what goes into a general inventory, and what belongs in the hands of a specialist.
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How Illinois Divides Personal Property in a Divorce Under State Law
Illinois courts divide personal property under an equitable distribution standard, not a 50/50 split, and the valuation date a court picks can change what an item is worth on paper. This guide explains the statute, the marital vs. non-marital line, and when a personal property appraisal divorce Illinois case actually needs one.
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What Happens If the IRS Questions Your Chicago Charitable Donation Appraisal
An IRS review of a charitable donation appraisal and Form 8283 filing turns on a handful of specific red flags, not bad luck. Here's what triggers scrutiny, what a Chicago donor should keep on file, and what a reduced or disallowed deduction actually costs.
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What Cook County, Illinois Probate Law Says About Personal Property Appraisals
Illinois probate law requires a fair-market-value inventory of a decedent's personal property, and Cook County estates follow specific rules on administration type, filing deadlines, and when a professional appraisal is required. This guide breaks down the $150,000 small estate threshold, the 60-day inventory deadline, and exactly when executors need a qualified personal property appraisal.
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Tell us what you need appraised and we'll follow up with a fixed-fee quote.