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Short answer: To prove the value of your mother’s vehicles for probate in Kansas, treat each vehicle as an estate asset (unless it passed outside probate), determine its fair market value at the date of death, document that valuation with concrete evidence (titles, photos, valuation reports, comparable sales, lien statements), and include the information in the inventory filed with the probate court. When the court or interested parties need a formal valuation, use a written appraisal from a qualified appraiser.

Step-by-step approach

1. Confirm whether each vehicle is a probate asset.
   • Check the vehicle title for joint owners, pay-on-death/designated transferee language, or trust ownership. Vehicles titled jointly with rights of survivorship, with a valid transfer-on-death designation, or owned by a living trust typically pass outside probate and may not need valuation for the estate.
   • If the vehicle is solely in your mother’s name (or in her name with the estate as the only successor), it is usually part of probate property and must be inventoried and valued.
2. Gather identifying documents and condition evidence.
   • Collect the certificate of title, registration, insurance records, maintenance receipts, and any loan or lien statements.
   • Record the vehicle’s VIN, year, make, model, trim, odometer reading, and a clear description of condition (body damage, mechanical issues, recent parts or major repairs).
   • Take dated photos from multiple angles; include the odometer photo to document mileage.
3. Determine the appropriate valuation date.
   • Use the vehicle’s fair market value as of the date of death. Probate values are usually fixed to that date because estate tax, creditor claims, and distributions depend on the estate’s value at that time.
4. Choose one or more accepted valuation methods.
   • Online pricing guides (Kelley Blue Book, NADA Guides, Edmunds): Run a private-party and trade-in value and save the printouts or screenshots showing date and VIN or vehicle specifics.
   • Recent comparable sales: Compile local listings or sales for similar vehicles (same year, model, mileage, condition) from local classifieds, dealer sales, or auction results.
   • Dealership or mechanic estimate: A written offer or dealer appraisal provides useful evidence, especially if it states the valuation date and VIN.
   • Professional appraisal: For higher-value or disputed vehicles, hire an independent, qualified vehicle appraiser. Get a signed, written appraisal that shows the appraiser’s qualifications, methodology, photographs, and the concluded fair market value as of the date of death.
5. Document liens, loans, and net value.
   • If a vehicle has a loan or lien, obtain a payoff statement from the lender. Probate inventory usually lists the gross value and indicates any secured debt against the asset. The net equity (value minus liens) affects distributions and creditor claims.
6. Prepare the inventory and support for the probate court.
   • The personal representative (executor/administrator) should list each vehicle on the estate inventory with: VIN, year/make/model, mileage, condition notes, the chosen fair market value, and attachments (appraisal, KBB/NADA screenshots, dealer offers, photos, lien payoff statements).
   • File the inventory with the county probate court according to Kansas probate procedure and local rules. See Kansas probate forms and instructions at the Kansas Judicial Branch: https://www.kscourts.org/Forms/Probate
7. Respond if anyone contests the valuation.
   • If beneficiaries or creditors dispute the listed value, the court may require additional documentation or order an appraisal. You can ask the court to admit the written appraisal or other evidence. If necessary, the court can hold a hearing to determine value.
8. Keep careful records.
   • Keep copies of everything you rely on. Good documentation speeds probate, reduces disputes, and helps the estate pay correct creditor claims and distribute assets fairly.

Relevant Kansas law (where to look)

Kansas’s probate statutes are found in Chapter 59 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A. Chapter 59). That chapter governs probate procedure, duties of personal representatives, inventories, and administration. You can read Chapter 59 at the Kansas Revisor of Statutes site: http://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch59.html. For local filing requirements and forms, consult the Kansas Judicial Branch probate forms and instructions: https://www.kscourts.org/Forms/Probate

Practical example (hypothetical)

Suppose your mother owned a 2016 sedan with 72,000 miles and no loan. You would:

1. Locate the title to confirm sole ownership.
2. Take photos and note odometer and condition.
3. Get KBB and NADA private-party values with the vehicle details and save the dated screenshots.
4. If values differ or a beneficiary contests, hire an independent appraiser and attach the written appraisal to the inventory.
5. File the inventory listing the vehicle and supporting documents with the probate court.

When you should consider a formal appraisal

• The vehicle has unusually high value (classic cars, collector cars, rare models).
• The estate is large or tax issues might arise.
• Beneficiaries or creditors challenge the valuations from online guides or dealer quotes.

What to do about sale or transfer during probate

If the estate sells the vehicle during administration, document the sale with a bill of sale, purchaser contact information, VIN, sale price, and the check or payment record. The sale price is strong evidence of value but the court may still require proof that the sale was at arm’s length and for fair market value.