Attorney & CPA Appraisals

Independent real property appraisals for probate, estate planning, divorce, and insurance‑related legal matters across Maui County, including Maui, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi.

Maui‑based real estate appraiser providing time‑of‑death, estate planning, divorce, and disaster‑related appraisal services for attorneys, CPAs, fiduciaries, and courts throughout Maui County, including Maui, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi.

This page is intended for:

• Probate and estate planning attorneys
• Family law and divorce attorneys
• CPAs handling estates, trusts, and tax planning
• Trustees, personal representatives, and fiduciaries

A time‑of‑death appraisal determines the fair market value of real property as of a deceased owner’s date of death and is commonly used in Maui probate and estate administration matters.

Typical uses include:

• Probate administration
• Trust administration
• Stepped‑up basis reporting
• Estate tax and accounting support

Each appraisal clearly states the effective date, intended use, and valuation methodology and is prepared for legal and tax review.

Estate planning appraisals provide a current fair market value of real property to support planning, gifting, trust structuring, and long‑term tax strategy.

These appraisals are commonly used to:

• Inform estate planning and trust funding decisions
• Support coordination between attorneys and CPAs
• Evaluate future transfer or restructuring options

Divorce and partnership dissolution appraisals provide an independent, neutral valuation of real property for equitable division, settlement discussions, or court proceedings.

Common engagements include:

• Divorce and family law matters
• Business or partnership dissolution involving real property
• Matters requiring an objective, third‑party valuation

Disaster‑related appraisals are used in insurance claim evaluation, loss documentation, and litigation arising from catastrophic events, including wildfires.

Following the August 2023 wildfires, appraisals were frequently required to:

• Document pre‑loss and post‑loss property value
• Support insurance claims and coverage disputes
• Assist attorneys in wildfire‑related litigation
• Provide independent valuation in contested loss matters

These assignments often involve coordination with attorneys, insurers, and other professionals and require clear scope definition and defensible valuation methodology.

• Clear engagement scope and intended use
• Up‑front document checklist
• Defensible valuation methodology
• Responsive communication with attorneys and staff
• Local Maui market expertise

• Referral from attorney, CPA, or fiduciary
• Scope clarification and fee discussion based on intended use
• Engagement letter and document checklist provided
• Property inspection and market analysis
• Written appraisal delivered in PDF format
• Follow‑up available for clarification or questions

• Property address
• Deeds or conveyance documents
• Probate or trust filings (if applicable)
• Relevant court or tax deadlines
• Prior appraisals (if available)

John Trella is a Certified Real Estate Appraiser in the State of Hawaiʻi with 27 years of experience. He provides independent, well‑supported appraisals prepared with clear scope definition and intended use in mind.

Services are provided for real property located throughout Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi. On Maui, service areas include Kihei, Wailuku, Kahului, Lahaina, Wailea, Makawao, Paia, Kula, and surrounding communities.

Attorneys, CPAs, and staff are welcome to reach out to confirm scope, timing, and intended use prior to engagement.

john@johntrella.com  |  808.799.4271