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When you administer an estate in Minnesota, you must identify, collect, and value the decedent’s assets, including vehicles. Minnesota law (see Minnesota’s probate code, Chapter 524) gives the personal representative the duty to gather estate property and account for it to the court. For an overview of the probate process, see the Minnesota statutes: Minn. Stat. ch. 524 and the Minnesota Judicial Branch probate help pages: mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate.

Step-by-step: How to prove a vehicle’s value

1. Confirm whether the vehicle is part of the probate estate.

   Check the vehicle title, registration, and any beneficiary or joint-owner language. Vehicles titled jointly with right of survivorship or those that pass by beneficiary designation or transfer-on-death may not enter probate. For title and transfer rules, consult: Minn. Stat. ch. 168 (motor vehicle titles) and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety: dps.mn.gov – Driver and Vehicle Services.

2. Collect basic documentation.

   Assemble the vehicle title, registration, maintenance records, recent repair invoices, the purchase receipt (if available), photos, the odometer reading, and any insurance claims or appraisal reports. These documents support value findings.

3. Use reliable market sources for typical passenger vehicles.

   For everyday cars and trucks, market guides and online listing sites provide credible valuations. Use multiple sources and document the results: Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com), NADA Guides (nada.com), Edmunds (edmunds.com), and recent comparable listings or sale receipts from local dealers or online marketplaces. Save screenshots, printouts, or PDF copies showing the date and the vehicle details (year, make, model, trim, mileage).

4. Get a written appraisal for higher-value, classic, or modified vehicles.

   If the vehicle is a classic, collectible, or otherwise high value, hire a qualified vehicle appraiser and obtain a written appraisal. The appraisal should describe the appraiser’s qualifications, method (comparables, cost approach, etc.), condition findings, and a clear value opinion as of the date of death. Courts give greater weight to a dated, signed appraisal than to an informal online printout.

5. Document condition and adjustments.

   Note mileage, mechanical problems, body damage, missing parts, or recent major repairs—these affect value. Support condition claims with photos, mechanic estimates or invoices, and inspection reports.

6. Prepare your inventory and file it with the court when required.

   The personal representative must account for estate assets in the probate proceeding. File the inventory and attach supporting valuation documents. See Minnesota probate forms and instructions at the Minnesota Judicial Branch site: mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate. If the court or creditors dispute a vehicle’s listed value, the court may accept additional appraisal evidence or order a valuation hearing.

7. Use sworn statements or affidavits when appropriate.

   If the estate is small and statutory procedures apply, you may be able to use an affidavit to collect or transfer the vehicle outside a full administration. Check the small-estate rules in Chapter 524 and local court forms. If you use an affidavit, include documentation supporting the stated value.

8. Record and report any sale or transfer.

   If you sell the vehicle during probate, keep a signed bill of sale, seller receipts, and the buyer’s information. Report the sale and the net proceeds to the court as part of the estate accounting.

How a court typically evaluates vehicle valuation evidence

Court officers and judges prefer evidence that is contemporaneous, objective, and credible. Ranked by typical weight, the court often relies on:

• Signed, dated professional appraisal with methodology described.
• Multiple consistent market guide values (KBB, NADA) and recent comparable sales or dealer offers.
• Receipts for recent sales of similar vehicles, repair invoices, and condition evidence (photos, mechanic reports).
• Sworn affidavits from informed witnesses or buyers (less persuasive than an appraisal).

When values are disputed

If an heir, creditor, or beneficiary disputes your valuation, options include: obtaining a second appraisal, asking the court to resolve the dispute at a hearing, or negotiating a voluntary sale whose proceeds divide subject to the estate’s instructions. Keep thorough documentation; the clearer your record, the easier it is to resolve disputes.

Helpful Hints

• Start early. Collect documentation (title, photos, odometer reading) as soon as you can.
• Use at least two independent market sources for ordinary vehicles and one written appraisal for specialty vehicles.
• Take clear photos of the exterior, interior, engine bay, odometer, VIN, and any damage.
• Keep dated copies or screenshots of online valuations and printed comparable listings.
• Save repair estimates and receipts—both increases and decreases in value often depend on condition evidence.
• Contact the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services for title questions: dps.mn.gov.
• Check local probate court procedures and forms at the Minnesota Judicial Branch: mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate.
• If you anticipate estate tax or complex valuation issues, discuss them with an attorney or a qualified appraiser early.

Next steps: Gather the title, registration, photos, maintenance and repair records, and at least one market valuation or appraisal. Attach those documents to the probate inventory and be prepared to explain the valuation if the court or other parties request clarification.

Disclaimer: This article explains typical procedures and information under Minnesota law but is not legal advice. I am not an attorney. For advice about a specific situation, contact a licensed Minnesota probate attorney or the court handling the estate.