Most estates with personal property start the same way: “What is this worth?” That’s necessary. But it’s not enough. Because at some point, the real question becomes: What should I actually do with this? Sell it? Hold it? Keep it? Try to sell it and realize it’s harder than expected? Here’s what most people don’t see: Two items can have the same value on paper—and completely different outcomes in the real world. One sells quickly, close to expectation. Another sits, requires discounts, or...

If you own a piece of art and you’re seeking a personal property appraisal, more than likely you will be asked about provenance. What is it and why is it important? Over the last two centuries, some of the most forged artists read like a who’s who of art history: Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Marc Chagall. It’s not just collectors who can fall for a forgery. Museums and institutions have also been caught off...

Most people think estate taxes are about wealth. They’re not. They’re about timing—and valuation. Over the past few years, the uncertainty surrounding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (amongst other economic uncertainties) has changed how high-net-worth individuals approach personal property: • Art is no longer just collected—it’s transferred strategically • Collections are no longer static—they’re being actively repositioned • And valuation is no longer passive—it directly impacts tax exposure...