Art Management During Estate & Trust Transitions
When a loved one passes and high-value personal property, such as fine art, is involved, the estate typically enters probate. Probate can be complex and emotionally taxing, particularly when valuable artwork requires proper documentation, appraisal, storage, or transfer. Our team can help simplify and support this process by ensuring art assets are professionally handled, protected, and prepared as outlined below:
Inventory documentation
Inventorying all pieces/items is vital to determining what all needs to be done and can serve as a jumping off point for appraisal. At Artserve, we are able to help find all necessary information and can organize it within our barcode-based inventory management system. This keeps all necessary details organized in one place with defined labeling.
Secure transitional storage
Determining the size and value of an estate can take time. During that process, securing high-value personal property is essential. Our purpose-built facility offers 35,000 square feet of secure, climate-controlled storage designed specifically for fine art and other valuable assets. With comprehensive services and professional inventory management, you can feel confident that each item is carefully documented, protected, and maintained throughout probate. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, our private storage suites provide office-hour, escorted access for authorized representatives.
Condition reporting
Before any transition begins, it is critical to establish the condition of the property. The value of artwork can shift significantly based on its current state, and even minor issues can materially impact appraisal outcomes. The Artserve team can be engaged to document condition and produce a detailed, image-supported report that provides clarity and protection. This documentation enables appraisers to more accurately determine fair market value and creates a clear record at the time of transfer.
Appraisal
Appraisal is the next step. A certified licensed appraiser will comb through the collection and ascertain the value based on current condition, provenance, and market demand. See our blog post here for more information on the process of appraising your high-value personal property.
Logistic coordination
Throughout an estate project of this size, property often changes ownership and location multiple times. Coordinating these transitions requires precision and careful oversight. An experienced team of art handling technicians can significantly streamline the process, working closely with the personal representative to determine how, when, and where each piece should be transferred. Artserve’s white-glove services include local transportation, crating and world-wide shipping to make sure the pieces get where they need to go.
At Artserve, our team is highly experienced in logistical coordination, secure transportation, and proper handling at every stage of transition. Contact us to discuss your specific needs and next steps for managing artwork within the estate.