An estate inventory is a catalog of a person's belongings and their value — used to settle probate, divide items among heirs, or help someone downsize. It gives the executor and the family one honest, shared picture of what exists and what it's worth.
Furniture, electronics, appliances, kitchenware, tools, and the everyday contents of each room. Photograph and give a reasonable value; group low-value items together.
Jewelry, watches, art, antiques, coins, and collectibles. These often need a closer look or a professional appraisal, so flag them as you go.
Cars, boats, trailers, and yard or workshop equipment. Record makes, models, and any identifying numbers.
Titles, deeds, statements, and policies aren't contents, but noting where they are helps the executor find accounts, property, and insurance later.
Before cataloging, make sure the property is locked and valuables are safe. Inventories of estates can be contested, so an accurate, unaltered starting point matters.
Work through one room at a time. Photograph each item or group of items — photos are the shared reference that keeps everyone honest and reduces disputes.
Use fair market value — what an item would sell for now, not what it cost new. For significant pieces, note that a formal appraisal is needed rather than guessing.
If the will or the family has assigned specific items, record the intended recipient against each entry so distribution is traceable.
Executors, heirs, and any appraiser or attorney should be able to see the same inventory. One shared record prevents the confusion of several private lists.
A printable worksheet with columns for the item, its location, an estimated value, and the intended recipient. Print it, or save it as a PDF and fill it in.
Open the worksheet →An estate can hold a lifetime of belongings, and cataloging it by hand is slow. Myne helps: photograph items and it identifies them and estimates values, so the list builds as you move through the house. Because any part of an inventory can be shared as a link, the executor, heirs, or an appraiser can all view the same record without anyone needing an account.
New to inventories? Start with the complete home inventory guide.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Probate rules and required forms vary by state and country — check with the relevant court or an attorney for what your situation requires.
Photograph the estate, let Myne catalog and value it, and share the list with everyone involved. Free to start.