Estate planning is about more than drafting wills and naming beneficiaries—it’s about protecting your family’s future. For many households in St. Charles County, real estate is the largest asset in the estate. Ensuring that property is valued correctly is critical for tax purposes, fair distribution, and avoiding disputes.
That’s where estate planning appraisals come in. At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, led by certified residential appraiser Jacob Geringer, we provide accurate, court-recognized valuations that give families and attorneys the clarity they need to plan with confidence.
An estate planning appraisal is a professional valuation of real estate, typically conducted before or during the creation of an estate plan. Unlike probate appraisals, which are required after someone passes away, estate planning appraisals are completed in advance to:
Establish the property’s current fair market value
Help families make informed decisions about inheritance
Prepare for future tax obligations
Prevent conflicts among heirs
If a family home or investment property will be divided among heirs, a certified appraisal provides an objective baseline value everyone can agree on.
Appraisals ensure the estate plan is built on accurate numbers for potential estate or gift tax reporting. This protects families from costly mistakes.
Heirs often have different ideas about what a property is “worth.” A professional appraisal offers a neutral, expert opinion that reduces conflict.
With a defensible valuation, families can create estate plans with confidence—knowing their decisions are fair, transparent, and legally supported.
At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we handle a range of estate-related valuations in St. Charles and St. Louis Counties:
Estate Planning Appraisals – For proactive family planning
Gift Tax Appraisals – When gifting property to heirs during your lifetime
Date-of-Death Appraisals – Required after a passing (probate situations)
Retrospective Appraisals – Valuations tied to a specific historical date
Led by Jacob Geringer, Certified Residential Appraiser, our team brings:
Local expertise in St. Charles, O’Fallon, St. Peters, and St. Louis
Fast turnaround times (often within 24–48 hours)
Court-ready reports trusted by attorneys, CPAs, and judges
Dual insight – Jacob is also a licensed real estate broker, adding market knowledge beyond the appraisal
Do I need an appraisal if I’m not selling the property? Yes. Even if you plan to keep the home in the family, an appraisal ensures accurate planning and fair distribution.
How is this different from a probate appraisal? Probate appraisals happen after someone passes away. Estate planning appraisals happen beforehand to prevent issues later.
Can I use a Realtor’s CMA instead of an appraisal? No. Courts, attorneys, and the IRS require certified appraisals, not comparative market analyses.
How quickly can I get an estate planning appraisal? Most reports from 24 Hour Appraisal Group are delivered within 24–48 hours.
Don’t leave your estate planning to guesswork. With a professional appraisal from 24 Hour Appraisal Group, you’ll protect your family, avoid disputes, and create a plan that stands the test of time.
Request an Estate Planning Appraisal Today or call (314) 570-6794 to speak with Jacob Geringer, Certified Residential Appraiser.
This is called a date-of-death appraisal (or retrospective appraisal). At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we specialize in delivering certified, court-ready retrospective appraisals that satisfy IRS requirements, Missouri probate courts, and heirs seeking fair distribution.
IRS requires fair market value at the date of death for estate tax basis
Probate courts need credible, certified valuation
Helps prevent disputes between heirs over property division
Essential for setting listing prices for inherited properties
Using a current valuation for tax purposes can result in inaccurate tax liabilities and family conflict.
A retrospective appraisal isn’t just guessing a past price—it requires serious analysis of local market data as of that date. Jacob Geringer brings:
Access to historical sales data and MLS records
Local knowledge of St. Charles County market trends
Ability to adjust for property condition at that time
Certified appraisal practices meeting legal standards
Fair market value as of the specific date required
Historical comparable sales analysis
Adjustments reflecting market conditions then
Photos (current and archival if available)
Certified, signed report suitable for court and IRS
Executors handling probate cases
Estate attorneys and planners
Heirs preparing to sell inherited property
Financial advisors managing tax basis calculations
We treat every case with respect and discretion, understanding the emotional context.
Missouri-certified, professional service
Over 20 years in local real estate
Court-ready reports accepted by Missouri probate courts
Fast, responsive turnaround times
Clear communication at every step
We’re here to help families and professionals navigate the complex requirements of settling estates.
If you need a date-of-death or retrospective appraisal in St. Charles County, don’t leave it to guesswork.
Call Jacob directly at (314) 570-6794
Or request your appraisal online
At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we deliver the accurate, certified, and respectful valuations you can trust.
Bankruptcy Appraisals in St. Charles County: Ensuring Accurate Valuations for a Fresh Start
Filing for bankruptcy is never easy. It can feel like a last resort, filled with uncertainty and stress. Yet getting through the process often depends on providing credible, well-documented property valuations to the court and creditors. At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we deliver certified bankruptcy appraisals designed to stand up in Missouri bankruptcy court—helping homeowners, attorneys, and trustees navigate the process with clarity and confidence.
In Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, you’re typically required to disclose the fair market value of your real estate holdings.
Establishing accurate values affects debt repayment plans
Prevents disputes with creditors
Supports your eligibility for exemptions
Avoids accusations of fraud or misrepresentation
A sloppy, inflated, or understated valuation can derail your entire case.
Real estate values in St. Charles County aren’t generic. Online tools don’t know your neighborhood, your home’s condition, or recent local sales trends. As a local, certified appraiser, Jacob Geringer offers:
Market-driven, up-to-date comparable analysis
Adjustments for property condition and unique features
Knowledge of local market trends affecting distressed sales
Reports designed to meet bankruptcy court standards
Current fair market value with supporting data
Detailed, clear comparable sales analysis
Photos and property description
Transparent adjustments
Certified, signed report ready for court submission
Homeowners filing Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy
Bankruptcy attorneys
Trustees and creditors needing independent valuations
We know these are sensitive, urgent cases—and we handle them with respect and efficiency.
Missouri-certified, court-ready reports
Over 20 years of local real estate expertise
Fast turnaround to meet court deadlines
Professional, confidential communication
Bankruptcy doesn’t have to be harder than it already is. We’re here to help you move forward with a clear, accurate valuation.
If you're navigating bankruptcy in St. Charles County or surrounding areas, let us help you get the certified, court-ready valuation you need.
Or Request Your Bankruptcy Appraisal Online
At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we’re here to provide clarity in challenging times.
Foreclosure is a stressful, often overwhelming process for everyone involved—homeowners fighting to avoid it, lenders trying to recover losses, or buyers seeking distressed opportunities. An accurate, professional appraisal is essential to ensure fair market value is properly established—protecting everyone’s interests and reducing conflict. At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we provide certified foreclosure appraisals designed for clarity, accuracy, and court-ready reliability in St. Charles County and surrounding Missouri communities.
In a foreclosure process, a property is often sold under financial distress, and ensuring true market value is essential to:
Appraisals also help in short sale negotiations—where the lender agrees to accept less than the mortgage balance to avoid foreclosure.
St. Charles County includes everything from historic properties in St. Charles City to suburban neighborhoods in O’Fallon, Wentzville, and beyond. Generic online valuations or out-of-town firms simply don’t account for:
We know the Missouri foreclosure landscape and provide data-driven, legally defensible valuations that stand up to scrutiny.
We understand these situations are sensitive and often urgent. That’s why we focus on fast turnaround without sacrificing accuracy.
We don’t just deliver numbers—we help people navigate difficult situations with confidence.
Whether you're a homeowner, lender, or attorney involved in a foreclosure or short sale in St. Charles County, ensure you have a certified, reliable valuation.
At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we’re committed to making difficult transactions clearer, faster, and fairer for everyone.
Divorce is one of the most difficult transitions anyone can face. Beyond the emotional stress, splitting assets fairly can quickly become contentious. One of the largest—and most debated—assets in a divorce is the family home. That’s why a professional, neutral, certified real estate appraisal is essential.
At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we deliver court-ready appraisals that ensure both parties get a fair, well-supported property valuation in St. Charles County and surrounding Missouri areas.
During a divorce, Missouri courts generally require equitable distribution of marital assets. The home's value is central to:
Unlike online estimates or a realtor’s informal opinion, a certified appraisal is objective, defensible, and designed to withstand scrutiny in court or mediation.
Real estate values in St. Charles County aren’t one-size-fits-all. Neighborhoods like O’Fallon, St. Charles City, and Wentzville have unique trends, school district impacts, and recent comparable sales. Our appraisals account for:
We also handle retrospective appraisals when needed, establishing value as of a past date (often required if separation and court filings span multiple years).
We make sure our reports aren’t just accurate, but clear and easy to understand for both parties and their attorneys.
We know divorce is highly personal. Confidentiality, neutrality, and respect are at the core of our service.
Our goal is to help you move forward with confidence.
Don’t let uncertainty over your home’s value drag your divorce into conflict.
At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we’re here to make a difficult process a little easier.
Settling a loved one’s estate is never easy. Beyond the grief, there are often complex legal steps that can feel overwhelming.
One of the most important—and commonly overlooked—requirements in Missouri probate is obtaining a certified real estate appraisal.
At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we specialize in fast, court-ready appraisals designed to make this process smoother for families, executors, and attorneys in St. Charles County and the surrounding areas.
When someone passes away, the probate court and IRS typically require an accurate, defensible valuation of any real property in the estate.
This value is used to: -File accurate estate tax returns -Determine a fair division of assets among heirs -Document basis for future capital gains taxes -Support court filings with credible evidence
Relying on a generic estimate or outdated tax assessment can create legal problems, cause conflicts among family members, and even lead to IRS penalties.
A professional appraisal provides an unbiased, well-documented value that everyone can trust.
St. Charles County is unique. From historic downtown homes to newer subdivisions, property values vary dramatically by neighborhood.
Online valuation tools or national firms miss these nuances.
As a local certified appraiser, Jacob Geringer brings: -Deep knowledge of local market trends -Experience with Missouri probate requirements -Accurate comparable sales analysis -Insights into property features that matter here
When you work with 24 Hour Appraisal Group, you get a defensible value that holds up in court—and peace of mind for your family.
Our appraisal reports are designed to meet strict legal and professional standards, including: - Fair market value as of the date of death - Detailed comparable sales analysis - Clear, supported adjustments - Photos and property description - Signed, certified report suitable for court submission
We also handle retrospective appraisals, when the date of death is months or even years in the past.
- Executors managing estates through probate - Attorneys specializing in estate and trust law - Heirs preparing to sell inherited property - Financial advisors supporting estate planning
We understand this isn’t just a house—it’s a legacy.
Certified and Local: Missouri-certified with 20+ years in St. Charles County real estate. Fast Turnaround: We know probate timelines can be tight. Court-Ready Reports: Designed to meet Missouri probate requirements. Compassionate Service: We treat every family with respect and understanding.
Our mission is to make a stressful process as smooth and professional as possible, while giving you the confidence that everything is done right.
If you're handling a probate case in St. Charles County or nearby Missouri communities, don’t leave your valuation to chance.
Call Jacob directly at (314) 570-6794 Or Request an Appraisal Online
At 24 Hour Appraisal Group, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.