Estate and Succession Planning Valuation

An estate and succession planning valuation measures what a business is worth today, so a family, its counsel, and its CPA can plan state and federal estate tax exposure, lifetime gifting, and succession before any filing is due.

Request a quote All capabilities

At a glance

Basis: Fair market value, with planning sensitivities
Prepared by: A credentialed FMV valuation analyst
Deliverable: Signed report (PDF)
Used by: Accounting firms, financial advisors, attorneys
Delivered to: The ordering bank's or firm's vault and the client's vault

When it is needed

A family is deciding how and when to transfer the business.
A state estate tax exemption is far below the federal one.
Counsel needs a defensible starting value before drafting.

What the report contains

Current value with planning sensitivities
State estate tax exposure where applicable
Scenario schedules for counsel and the family

Last updated October 24, 2026

Who uses it

Accounting firmsA planning valuation often leads to gift filings and buy-sell work later. Each piece can be referred through the same client record.Financial advisorsOrdered for business-owner clients in exit, estate, and liquidity planning.AttorneysPrepared for estate, gift, and business matters where other parties and their advisors will review the report.

Standards and sources

Revenue Ruling 59-60: Valuation factors
State estate tax statutes: Exposure where the state levies its own tax

Documents we need

Financial statements
Ownership records
Prior planning documents, if any

How an engagement works

Scope
We confirm the purpose, standard of value, valuation date, and addressee, then issue the engagement letter.
Intake
You or your client upload documents against a checklist. Open items stay visible until the file is complete.
Analysis
A credentialed analyst prepares the valuation and signs the conclusion.
Delivery
The signed PDF goes to your vault and your client's. We keep the workfile for later questions.

Estate and succession planning valuation questions

What is an estate and succession planning valuation?

An estate and succession planning valuation is a current valuation of a business prepared for planning rather than filing. FairMarketValue (FMV) provides the value with sensitivities and scenario schedules so the family, counsel, and CPA can compare transfer strategies.

Why value a business before any estate or gift filing?

Valuing a business before any filing shows how much of the owner's estate the business represents, how quickly lifetime gifts could use the exemption, and which transfer path costs the least in tax. Those decisions are cheaper to make before a deadline forces them.

Do state estate taxes matter if the federal exemption is $15 million?

Yes. Several states levy their own estate tax with exemptions far below the $15 million federal exemption for 2026, so a business owner can owe state estate tax without owing federal estate tax.

Can a succession planning valuation be filed with the IRS?

No. A succession planning valuation is prepared for planning. When a gift or an estate filing follows, FMV prepares a Form 709 or Form 706 valuation to the filing standard.

What documents does a succession planning valuation require?

A succession planning valuation requires financial statements, ownership records, and any prior planning documents.

How is the fee for an estate and succession planning valuation set?

FMV quotes the fee for an estate and succession planning valuation after reviewing the scope. The fee is fixed before work starts and does not depend on the conclusion of value.