When a person dies, the personal representative (executor or administrator) must identify and value the deceased person’s assets so the probate court and beneficiaries can settle the estate. Vehicles are common estate assets. Proving a vehicle’s value in Georgia means documenting the car’s condition and establishing its fair market value as of the date of death. Below is a practical, step‑by‑step approach you can use.

Step 1 — Identify and gather vehicle documents

• Locate the vehicle title(s) and any registration card. The title shows ownership and any lienholder.
• Record the vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, model, mileage at death, and obvious condition issues (body damage, needed repairs, interior wear).
• Get the decedent’s vehicle maintenance records, insurance claims, and any recent repair invoices.
• Obtain a certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate and the personal representative’s letters of administration or testamentary from the probate court—these are usually required to retitle or transfer the vehicle at the county tag office or the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Step 2 — Establish the valuation date

For probate purposes the relevant value is normally the fair market value on the date of death (the date the owner died). Make sure all valuation evidence you collect is dated or clearly indicates it reflects value at or very near that date.

Step 3 — Gather valuation evidence

Use multiple, written sources whenever possible. Common and persuasive forms of proof include:

• Published vehicle valuation guides such as Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com), NADA Guides (nadaguides.com), or Edmunds. Print or save the specific page showing the make/model/year/options and the date used for valuation.
• Comparable vehicle listings and recent local sale prices (online listings, dealer ads, classified ads). Save screenshots or printouts with dates, locations, mileage, and price.
• A written appraisal from a licensed or certified automotive appraiser or a dealership appraisal. A dated, signed appraisal that explains condition adjustments is strong proof.
• Photos of the vehicle showing condition and odometer reading taken near the valuation date.
• If applicable, lien payoff statements to show encumbrances that affect net value.

Step 4 — Prepare the estate inventory and include the vehicle

The personal representative typically files an inventory or account with the probate court listing estate assets and their values. For each vehicle entry include:

• Year, make, model, VIN, mileage, and physical condition notes.
• The date you are valuing the vehicle (usually date of death).
• The fair market value you assigned and the sources that support that value (attach copies of KBB/NADA printouts, appraisals, comparable sales, photos).
• Lienholder and payoff amount, if any.

Step 5 — Deal with disputes or unusual situations

If beneficiaries or creditors dispute the value, you can:

• Obtain one or more independent appraisals and present them to the court.
• Seek a court hearing where appraisers or parties may testify about value.
• If the vehicle has little resale value or is salvage, document repairs needed and salvage estimates from junkyards or salvage dealers.

Step 6 — Transfer, sale, or retention after valuation

Once the court accepts the inventory and the estate plan or Georgia law allows, the personal representative can transfer title to a beneficiary, sell the vehicle, or retain it in the estate. County tag offices and the Georgia Department of Revenue will require the personal representative’s letters and a certified death certificate for title transactions. For practical information on vehicle titles and transfers, see the Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles page: https://dor.georgia.gov/motor-vehicles.

What to expect in Georgia probate procedure

Probate procedure and the timing for inventories vary by county and by whether the estate is formal administration or a simplified/small estate process. For basic information about probate courts in Georgia, see: https://georgiacourts.gov/. If you are handling the estate yourself, the probate clerk or a probate judge’s office can often tell you required filing steps and deadlines for inventories in your county.

When to hire an appraiser or attorney

Consider hiring an independent appraiser when a vehicle is rare, collectible, has substantial value, or when the condition is difficult to quantify. Consult a probate attorney if the estate is complex, beneficiaries dispute values, there are tax issues, or you need help interpreting court rules and deadlines.

Common types of valuation evidence — strength ranking

1. Signed independent appraisal that ties condition to value.
2. Multiple comparable sales in the local market and dealer appraisals.
3. Reputable valuation guide printouts (KBB, NADA) that match the vehicle specifics.
4. Photos and repair estimates that justify reductions from guide values.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney‑client relationship. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a licensed Georgia probate attorney or a qualified appraiser.

Helpful Hints

• Document the valuation date clearly. Most disputes focus on whether value reflects the date of death.
• Use at least two independent sources to support a vehicle’s fair market value.
• Keep photographic evidence showing odometer and overall condition with date stamps if possible.
• If the vehicle has damage from an accident or needs major repairs, get a repair estimate to show how that affects value.
• When a lien exists, list both gross value and net value (value minus lien payoff) on the inventory.
• Talk to the county tag office early about documents needed to retitle or sell the vehicle after probate; requirements can vary by county.
• If the estate seems to qualify for simplified or small‑estate handling, check local probate rules—small‑estate procedures can limit documentation but may have strict thresholds and different transfer requirements.
• Keep copies of everything you file with the court and all receipts from sales or transfers for the estate record.