When planning their estates, most people focus on major assets, such as business interests, real estate, investments and retirement plans. But it’s also important to “sweat the small stuff” — tangible personal property. Examples include automobiles, jewelry, clothing, antiques, furniture, artwork, photographs, music collections, personal papers, collectibles (such as stamps, coins or baseball cards) and mementos….

The market approach, whereby appraisers use comparable “guideline companies” to help them estimate the value of a private business, has become a long-standing valuation touchstone. Two primary valuation methods are categorized under the market approach: Guideline public company method. Here, appraisers identify companies with stock (or partnership interests) that are actively traded in the public markets, such…

It is common to think about which method a business valuation professional will use and whether discounts might apply when considering how the value of an asset will be determined. However, the valuation’s effective date is a critical factor that may not immediately come to mind. What’s the Big Deal? One of the main reasons an…