Inheritance Appraisals Costa Rica | CFIA Licensed Expert

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.

What's included?

Report accepted by notaries, civil courts, and Hacienda (Tax Authority)
Valuation as of date of death or current date depending on probate type
Consolidated inventory of all assets with total estate value
CFIA licensure with full validity before the National Registry
Discreet attention and accompaniment in sensitive family situations
Nationwide coverage with expertise in multi-province estates
Delivery in 7-14 business days depending on number of assets
Over 20 years of experience with complex probate cases

Frequently asked questions

How much does an inheritance appraisal cost in Costa Rica?

It depends on the number and type of assets in the estate. A single property is quoted as a standard residential appraisal; an estate with multiple assets (real estate, vehicles, corporate shares) is quoted as a bundle with volume discount. For reference ranges by asset type, see our pricing guide. Contact us with estate details for an exact quote.

Can I order the appraisal before opening the probate?

Yes, and it is recommended. Getting the appraisal before or in parallel with starting the probate speeds up the process, since the value is ready when the notary or judge requests it. It doesn't require an open probate or judicial authorization — any potential heir or designated executor can commission it.

As of what date are the assets valued?

It depends on the proceeding. For judicial or notarial probates, the date of death is used (retrospective valuation), since that is the legal moment the probate opens. For voluntary partitions among living heirs, the current date is used. We perform both modalities — specify the date when requesting the report.

What documents do I need?

Current ownership certification for each property, cadastral plan, decedent's death certificate, and a preliminary list of assets. For probates with vehicles or machinery, vehicle title and technical documentation. If any registry document is missing, we can handle the research as part of the service.

Can you appraise if assets are in different provinces?

Yes, it's very common in Costa Rican probates. We cover the entire national territory and consolidate valuations of scattered assets (e.g., house in San José, farm in Guanacaste, lot in Puntarenas) into a single total report. Fees adjust for the travel involved.

Does the report work for Hacienda (Tax Authority)?

Yes. Our CFIA report is accepted by Hacienda for the inheritance transfer declaration and for calculation of any associated taxes, as well as by the National Registry for registration of the adjudication to heirs.

Need an appraisal for an inheritance or probate?

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