Marin County
Death occurred more than twenty years ago
When the effective date is more than twenty years back — including work into the 1980s — and extraordinary assumptions and deep research are often required.
In Marin County, retrospective work has to match the effective date to the right hillside, village, Bay-facing, or West Marin setting — and to whatever documentation still exists. Death occurred more than twenty years ago is one of the timing and documentation situations that regularly shows up in estate work here.
Beyond twenty years — including dates into the 1980s — James will still take appropriate deep retrospective Marin assignments that many appraisers avoid. Those files typically need more archival research and more extraordinary assumptions about unknown condition and missing documentation.
For this Marin County situation, bring whatever archival evidence exists — old photos, listings, tax records, family letters — and be prepared for extraordinary assumptions where condition cannot be proven.
Assignments more than twenty years back — including dates into the 1980s — are among the hardest residential retrospectives. James has completed that deep historical work; he does not know many appraisers willing to take forty-year lookbacks. These files typically require more extraordinary assumptions about condition, improvements, and missing records, and the engagement letter should say so plainly.
James provides independent residential appraisal for appropriate retrospective and current assignments. He does not provide legal, tax, title, or estate-administration advice; effective dates and intended use should be confirmed with the attorney, CPA, and other Core 4 professionals.