Detailed Answer — How to value Pokémon cards when preparing estate paperwork in Connecticut

When you prepare estate paperwork in Connecticut, you must list the estate’s assets and their values so the probate court, beneficiaries, and any taxing authorities can see what the estate contains. Collectible trading cards (like Pokémon cards) count as personal property. For estate paperwork you want values that reflect fair market value as of the relevant date (usually the decedent’s date of death or the date the fiduciary takes control). The following explains the practical steps, the legal context in Connecticut, and common evidence used to support values.

Connecticut legal context (high level)

Connecticut probate procedures require fiduciaries (executors, administrators, conservators) to identify and account for estate property, and to act in beneficiaries’ best interests. The Connecticut Probate Court system provides forms and guidance for inventories and accounts; consult the Probate Court website for forms and local procedures: https://probate.ct.gov/. For statutory authority on probate and fiduciary duties, see the Connecticut General Statutes governing probate matters: Connecticut General Statutes (Probate). If an estate may be subject to Connecticut estate tax or federal estate tax, speak with a tax professional; the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services provides estate and inheritance information: https://portal.ct.gov/DRS.

Step-by-step: how to value Pokémon cards for estate paperwork

1. Identify and inventory every card or lot. Make a written inventory that groups cards logically (e.g., single high-value cards vs. lots of commons). Record card name, set, edition (first edition, shadowless, etc.), card number, condition description, and whether it is graded and by whom (PSA, Beckett, CGC).
2. Determine the valuation date. Usually you use fair market value at the decedent’s date of death. If the fiduciary took possession later and state rules or the court require a different date, follow the court’s instructions or get court approval for an alternative date.
3. Use recent, arm’s-length sale data for comps. Look for completed sales on platforms with historic data (eBay completed listings, TCGplayer sales history, Heritage Auctions, PWCC, Goldin, ComicConnect-style auction houses) and note sale dates and prices. Prioritize sales close in time to the valuation date. For graded cards, compare to sales of the same grade.
4. Account for grade and condition. The grade (PSA 10 vs. PSA 8) dramatically affects value. If cards are ungraded, value them using comparable ungraded sales, and note that an auction-grade example may be worth substantially more if later authenticated or graded.
5. Get professional appraisals for high-value items. If you have cards that may be worth thousands of dollars, obtain a written appraisal from a qualified collectibles appraiser. A written appraisal carries more weight with probate courts and taxing authorities than a self-research spreadsheet.
6. Document provenance and authenticity. Keep receipts, certificates of authenticity, grading reports, photos, and chain-of-custody notes. Good documentation supports the value you report and helps prevent disputes with beneficiaries or auditors.
7. Separate marketable single cards from bulk lots. Many estates contain a few marketable cards and large lots of commons. Value bulk lots using per-card averages based on recent bulk sales, and explain your method in the inventory to justify the valuation.
8. Be conservative and transparent. Fiduciaries should use reasonable, supportable methods. When an item’s value is uncertain, state the method used, cite comparable sales, and note any assumptions.

How courts and fiduciaries typically treat collectibles

Probate judges expect a full, honest inventory and reasonable valuation methods from fiduciaries. If beneficiaries dispute a value, the court can order further appraisal or require sale through auction. Connecticut probate forms and local court rules guide the inventory and accounting process; use the probate court’s forms and file any required inventories or appraisals as instructed: https://probate.ct.gov/.

When to hire professionals

• Hire an appraiser if any single card likely exceeds a threshold amount that would matter for beneficiaries or taxes (commonly several hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the estate).
• Hire an estate attorney if beneficiaries dispute values, if the collection is large, if the estate may owe state or federal estate tax, or if probate court filings are complex.
• Consider a tax advisor for estate tax questions; Connecticut and federal rules may differ.

Sample hypothetical (illustrative)

Hypothetical: an estate owns 800 Pokémon cards, including one graded PSA 10 Charizard. The fiduciary inventories each card, groups commons into three bulk lots (photographed and described), and documents recent comparable sales for the PSA 10 and for several notable ungraded cards. Because one card is high value, the fiduciary hires a collectibles appraiser and attaches the appraisal and sale comps to the probate inventory filed with the court. This approach gives the court and beneficiaries clear support for the values claimed and reduces the risk of disputes.

Helpful Hints — Practical tips for Connecticut estates

• Start early. Cataloguing and researching hundreds of cards takes time.
• Take high-resolution photos of each high-value card and groups of bulk cards. Date-stamp or keep a chain-of-custody log.
• Grade high-value cards through a reputable grading service (PSA, Beckett, CGC) only after checking whether grading could risk damage or is likely to add value.
• Save and print completed-sale links and screenshots showing date, final sale price, and sale conditions (graded vs. ungraded).
• Use multiple sources for comps. Auction houses and specialized marketplaces often show realized prices that differ from listing prices.
• If you use an online marketplace as a comp, use only completed, closed sales (not asking prices).
• Document your valuation method in the inventory (e.g., “valued at fair market value based on three comparable sales on [platform] dated [dates], see attached screenshots”).
• For estates with many collectibles, consider selling through an auction house experienced with trading cards; auction sale prices can establish market value for the probate record.
• File inventories and accounts on time and use the Connecticut Probate Court templates and instructions: https://probate.ct.gov/.
• If beneficiaries disagree, a court-ordered appraisal or sale may resolve the dispute. Keep communications documented.