Probate & Estate Sales
One independent firm for executors, from the valuation for probate purposes to the final sale.
We value art, antiques, jewellery and household contents for probate, for executors, trustees and private client solicitors. Once probate is granted, we help the family sell what they do not wish to keep, at the auction house where each piece will do best. With no ties to any auction house, our only interest is the best result for the estate.
Valuations for Probate Purposes
We value the estate on the open market value basis required by Section 160 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984, as at the date of death. Each report is prepared in accordance with RICS Valuation Global Standards (the Red Book) and signed by an RICS Registered Valuer.
- A visit to the property, with each item examined and photographed
- An itemised report, ready to support the IHT400
- Report usually within two to three weeks of the visit
- Any questions from HMRC on the valuation answered within the fee
We value estates of every scale, from the contents of a single house to significant collections held across several properties. Where a collection spans several categories, each field is assessed by the appropriate specialist and presented in a single report.
Where an estate includes important works of art, we can also advise on Acceptance in Lieu and conditional exemption.
Once probate is granted, we can help the family decide what to keep and arrange the sale of the rest. See how we sell an estate.
After Probate: Selling the Contents
Different auction houses have different strengths. A London auctioneer may suit an important painting, while a regional saleroom often does better with good country furniture. Jewellery, watches, coins, books and cars all have their own specialist sales.
So an estate does not always do best by consigning everything to one firm. With more than 15 years’ experience of valuing estates and entire house contents, we know where each item belongs, and we have advised on sales at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and leading salerooms across the UK.
How it works
Valuation
We visit the house and prepare the valuation for probate purposes, at a fixed fee agreed in writing first.
Advice
Once probate is granted, we go through the list with the family: what to keep, what to sell and where.
Consignment
We choose the right auction house for each item and negotiate the commission and reserves.
Sale
We arrange collection, check the catalogue entries and follow every sale.
Payment
Each auction house pays the estate directly. You receive a full spreadsheet of results.
Sales we have arranged
A selection of results we have achieved for clients at Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Bonhams and specialist salerooms across the UK.
Christie’s New York, September 2021
Sold for $990,000 including premium
Sotheby’s London, November 2014
Sold for £410,000 including premium
Christie’s New York, January 2019
Sold for $396,500 including premium
Estates and collections
Sworders, single-owner sale, January 2024
All 265 lots sold, over £400,000 hammer
Sotheby’s London, June 2021
Eight works sold, over £250,000 hammer
Forum Auctions, single-owner sale, June 2026
All 158 lots sold, over £140,000 hammer
For solicitors
A safe recommendation for your executor clients.
- Valuations for probate purposes by RICS Registered Valuers, in line with Section 160 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984
- Very high value items and general house contents, in one report
- A full spreadsheet of what sold, where and for how much, ready for the estate accounts
- Independent advice that shows executors obtained a fair price
- Kept informed at every stage
- Fixed fees agreed in advance, and every introductory commission disclosed
For executors
We take the contents off your hands and make sure the estate gets the best result.
- Impartial advice on what to keep and what to sell
- The right auction house for each item, not one firm for everything
- Lower commission, negotiated on your behalf
- One point of contact, from the first visit to the final payment
- One independent figure for the whole family to work from
- No charge for advice on the sale
Fees and How We Are Paid
We agree a fixed fee in writing before we visit. Larger houses, country houses and significant collections are quoted individually.
Send us a few photographs of the contents and we will confirm the fee. Quotes are free.
An independent valuation. The valuation for probate purposes is prepared independently, as at the date of death, without regard to whether or where anything may later be sold. Advice on selling is a separate service, and there is no obligation to sell.
No charge for advice on the sale. When an item sells, the auction house pays us an introductory commission out of its own seller’s commission. It is not an extra charge and does not reduce what the estate receives. The estate pays the same commission it would pay without us, and often less, because we negotiate it down. Every introductory commission is confirmed in writing before anything goes to sale.
Arrange a valuation
Call us on 020 7305 7360 or email info@coramjames.com. Tell us about the estate and we will confirm our fee in writing.
