Did The Executor Of The Estate Value The Estate Too High? Richard A. Whitney

The appraised value on my mother's estate is coming in at 2.5 million but the appraiser did a sloppy job and I believe the real value is 1.5 million. I do not trust the executor of her estate and am worried he had it appraised high so he could collect higher fees. Is my concern valid and what do I do next?

-- Amanda

A. 

The usual time to object to the valuation of the estate is when the executor files his account in court. You must not sign a release of the executor because doing so terminates your right to object to the account. When you receive notice that the executor has filed the account and has asked the court to approve it, you then have an opportunity to raise your concerns about the valuation of the estate.

-- Richard A. Whitney