Probates in San José typically involve multiple assets (family home + rental apartment + lot). The country's busiest family courts are here (San José Downtown I Circuit, Goicoechea II Circuit). We value probate estates with assets scattered between Escazú, Curridabat, and Pérez Zeledón consolidating in a single report.

When do you need an inheritance appraisal?

An inheritance appraisal is needed in the four main scenarios of Costa Rica's probate process, governed by the Civil Code (arts. 520-605) and the Code of Civil Procedure. Testate succession: when the decedent left a will and each asset must be valued to execute the wishes. Intestate succession: when there is no will and the estate is divided according to the legal order of succession (spouse, descendants, ascendants). Voluntary partition among heirs: to agree on adjudication without going to court. Declaration of heirs before a notary: the notary requires an appraisal to formalize the transfer. In every case, the appraisal must be signed by an appraiser licensed by CFIA to have full validity before the National Registry, Hacienda, and Costa Rica's civil courts.

Types of assets valued in a probate

The probate estate can include assets of very different nature, each with its own valuation method. Real estate: family home, apartments, lots, agricultural farms, coastal properties, commercial spaces. Vehicles: cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats. Machinery and equipment: agricultural, industrial, construction equipment. Stocks and corporate interests: value of companies or shares in Costa Rican corporations. Valuable furniture: antique furniture, artwork, collections. Jewelry and precious metals. Financial products: certificates of deposit, bank accounts (valued at certified balances). We perform comprehensive valuation of all real estate and machinery; for jewelry or artwork we coordinate with trusted specialists when appropriate.

What the probate report includes

Each probate appraisal meets the formal requirements of notaries and courts. Detailed inventory: listing of all assets with individual technical description. Value per asset and total: market value of each property plus the consolidated total of the estate. Attached registry certification: cadastral plan and registry study per property. Photographs: graphic documentation of each asset's condition at the appraisal date. Calculation memorandum: method applied (market comparison, cost, income capitalization according to asset type). Express valuation date: whether retrospective (as of date of death) or current (for partition among living heirs). The report is signed by a CFIA appraiser and is ready to present to the notary or court without corrections.

Our probate methodology

Probate cases require a sensitive and technically rigorous approach. We apply International Valuation Standards (IVS) and CFIA standards adapted to the probate context. Retrospective valuation to date of death: for judicial probates, we research the market value on that specific date using transaction comparables from that period. Current-date valuation: for partitions among living heirs, value is current at report date. We apply three methods depending on asset type: market comparison (residential properties), cost minus depreciation (specialized structures), income capitalization (income-generating properties). When the estate includes agricultural farms or coastal properties, we adapt methodology to local particularities — maritime-terrestrial zone, concessions, agricultural use.

Validity before notaries, courts, and nationwide coverage

Our reports are accepted by all operators of Costa Rica's probate system. Public notaries: every notary in the country accepts the CFIA report for notarial probates and post-probate transfers. Civil courts: evidentiary validity in judicial probate proceedings in every jurisdiction (San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, southern zone). National Registry: accepted for registration of the inheritance transfer. Hacienda (Tax Authority): basis for transfer tax declaration when applicable. We operate nationwide from Pérez Zeledón and Curridabat. When the estate has assets spread across several provinces (very common), we consolidate the entire inventory into a single total report to simplify the process.

San José specifics for inheritance & probate appraisals

Economic and territorial context

San José concentrates 30-35% of Costa Rican GDP and is the country's economic heart. The province spans from premium western cantons (Escazú, Santa Ana) to the rural southern zone (Pérez Zeledón, Acosta). This heterogeneity means each area has radically different value dynamics.

Price ranges per m² in San José

$200-$2,000/m² per zone: Escazú and Santa Ana $800-$2,000, Curridabat and Tres Ríos $500-$900, Desamparados and Hatillo $200-$400, Pérez Zeledón (southern zone) $80-$300.

Market dynamics

Most liquid market in the country with high turnover in GAM zones. Premium areas like Escazú maintain stable USD values, while popular areas fluctuate in CRC. Pérez Zeledón has active market in Daniel Flores downtown but low in rural areas.

Specific risks to consider

Medium seismic zone with active Agua Caliente fault. High-risk areas: parts of Desamparados and Aserrí (landslides). Pérez Zeledón has General River overflow risk.

Economic profile

Headquarters of main banks, insurers, call centers, and technology. Pérez Zeledón has agricultural economy (coffee, cattle, pineapple) and regional commerce.