Executors and administrators dealing with an estate that includes watches, jewellery, coins, medals, or other valuables face a specific challenge: they need specialist knowledge, documented valuations, a reliable buyer, and a fast resolution — without adding to the complexity of the probate process.
Fair Vintage works directly with executors, solicitors, and families to assess and purchase probate collections of every size. Every item is valued individually in writing. Everything is handled with the discretion the situation requires.
As an executor or administrator, you have legal duties that a private seller does not. You are required to act in the best interests of the estate and its beneficiaries — which means you cannot simply accept the most convenient offer without considering whether it represents a reasonable market value. You need documented evidence that you have taken a proper approach to valuation and sale.
At the same time, probate administration already involves substantial time and complexity. Going to multiple specialist auctions, liaising with different dealers for different categories, managing transport, chasing payments — all of this adds burden at an already difficult time.
The ideal solution for most probate collections is a single specialist buyer who:
This is what Fair Vintage provides for every probate submission.
You do not need to. Our specialists identify every piece from photographs or on arrival. You will receive a written explanation of what each item is and why it has the value it does. No prior knowledge is required from you.
Every written valuation we provide explains the current market basis for our offer — comparable auction results, current dealer asking prices, and the specific features of the piece that affect its value. This documentation supports your position as executor.
Send everything. Our specialists assess each item on its own merits. You will not be charged for anything that does not meet our threshold, and anything we cannot purchase is returned free with an explanation of its assessed value.
We provide written offers within 5–10 working days of receiving the collection and make payment within 72 hours of acceptance. For urgent situations, contact us and we will discuss what is possible within your timeline.
You decide item by item which pieces to sell and which to retain. There is no pressure to sell everything. Items kept by the estate or distributed to beneficiaries are returned free after your assessment is complete.
Probate collections come to us most often during a difficult time for the family. We handle all communications professionally and with appropriate care. We do not rush, pressurise, or treat probate collections as a commercial transaction divorced from their human context.
Estate collections are rarely tidy. They include items from many different categories — and the most valuable pieces are often the most unexpected. We route every item to the appropriate specialist and assess everything you send.
Get in touch by email or phone. Tell us a little about the estate — the type of items, the approximate quantity, and your timeline. We will advise on next steps and answer any probate-specific questions.
We provide free insured shipping labels for your submission. Pack the items carefully in any secure box and post from your nearest drop-off point. For very large estates, we can arrange collection.
Your collection is opened live on YouTube and assessed by our specialists. You receive a written valuation for every item — suitable for your estate file — with an offer for each piece.
Accept the offers that work for the estate. Decline anything you choose to keep or sell elsewhere. Payment within 72 hours. Declined items returned free within five working days.
The information below is general guidance for executors considering the sale of estate valuables. It does not constitute legal advice. If you are uncertain about your legal position or duties, consult a solicitor before proceeding.
Probate and timing. In England and Wales, executors generally should not sell estate assets until a Grant of Probate has been obtained, unless there is a compelling reason to do so (such as the risk of deterioration or loss of value). In Scotland, the equivalent is a Confirmation. If the estate is straightforward, you can apply for probate yourself; if complex, a solicitor will be involved.
Valuation for HMRC. If the estate is above the inheritance tax threshold, HMRC requires the estate to declare the value of all assets at the date of death. This often requires a formal probate valuation from a qualified valuer. Fair Vintage can provide detailed written assessments of current market values, which can assist with this process and can be shared with the appointed probate valuer.
Duty to beneficiaries. As executor, you have a duty to achieve a fair market price for estate assets. We recommend that for any items of significant value, you take at least one formal written offer from a specialist buyer before accepting. The written valuations we provide for every item help document that you have taken a specialist opinion.
Multiple beneficiaries. Where multiple beneficiaries are involved and need to agree on the sale of estate items, having individual written valuations from a specialist makes the process simpler — each beneficiary can see precisely what each item has been assessed at and why.
For further guidance on clearing an inherited home, see our step-by-step guide to clearing an inherited property. For general information on inherited items, see our inherited items page.
Fair Vintage provides detailed written valuations for every item in a probate collection, explaining what each piece is, its current market value, and the basis for the assessment. These can assist executors in understanding the estate's composition. For formal HMRC probate valuations, a RICS-accredited valuer may also be required — we can advise on this and work alongside a probate valuer if needed.
Generally, executors should not sell estate assets before probate is granted without good reason. If you are unsure of your position, seek legal advice before proceeding. Fair Vintage can provide a written valuation and a formal offer that remains open while you complete the probate process, so everything is ready to proceed as soon as you are in a position to sell.
Very common. Inherited collections frequently include items the executor or family cannot identify. Send everything for assessment and our specialists will identify and value each piece. There is no requirement for you to pre-sort or pre-identify anything before sending.
Any item you decide not to sell is returned free of charge, fully insured, within five working days. You are never obligated to sell any item and there is no penalty for declining part or all of an offer.
Yes. Probate matters are private and we treat them accordingly. All correspondence is handled directly with the named executor or solicitor. We do not discuss individual estates with third parties. If there are multiple beneficiaries involved, we are happy to direct all formal communications through a single authorised representative.
From receiving your collection to providing written valuations is typically 5–10 working days. Payment is made within 72 hours of your acceptance. If you have a probate timeline — a court date, a beneficiary distribution target, or a property sale — tell us when you contact us and we will work to accommodate your schedule.
Contact us for a discreet, documented assessment of the collection. We work directly with executors and solicitors to make the process as straightforward as possible — with no pressure and no obligation to sell.