RICA-certified rug appraisals for estates and probate
Legally defensible written appraisals for estate inventory, fair market value determination, charitable donation deductions, and insurance claims. Accepted by Illinois probate courts.
What a RICA-certified appraisal provides
Legally defensible documentation
Accepted by Illinois probate courts, the IRS for charitable donation deductions, and insurance carriers. Bobby Ahmadi's RICA certification number appears on every report.
Accurate fair market value
Fair market value determined by current market comparables, condition assessment, and provenance analysis. Not replacement value — the actual price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller.
Expedited turnaround
Standard: 48-72 hours from in-person assessment. Expedited: 24 hours available when estate matters require it. Bobby attends in-person estate viewings.
Direct-to-firm invoicing
Invoices issued directly to the estate or the law firm as preferred. Bobby handles all coordination personally — no administrative back-and-forth.
The three most common appraisal scenarios
Probate and estate division
Establishing fair market value for equitable distribution among heirs. A RICA-certified written appraisal provides the defensible number that prevents disputes and satisfies court requirements.
Charitable donation deductions
IRS Form 8283 requires a qualified appraisal for non-cash charitable contributions over $5,000. Bobby Ahmadi meets the IRS definition of a qualified appraiser under Section 170. Appraisals include all required documentation.
Insurance and total loss
For estates where rugs have been damaged or destroyed, a RICA-certified pre-loss value estimate supports insurance claims and estate accounting.
Bobby Ahmadi, RICA-Certified
Bobby Ahmadi is one of a small number of RICA-certified (Registered Insurance and Claims Appraiser) rug appraisers in the United States. He trained under Ghorban Ahmadi, who spent nearly a decade training under conservators whose work served the Louvre, British Museum, and State Hermitage collections.
Every appraisal Bobby issues generates a verifiable record on The RUG Index — an independent certification platform he founded for fine and antique rugs. The certificate can be verified by anyone: courts, carriers, beneficiaries, and future buyers.
Bobby is available to attend in-person estate appraisals throughout Chicago and the North Shore. He can also work from high-quality photographs when in-person access is not possible.
- RICA-Certified Appraiser
- IRC §170 qualified appraiser
- IRS Form 8283 documentation
- Illinois probate-accepted reports
- RUG Index certificate verification
New estate matters responded to within 2 business hours
- — Law firm name + attorney name
- — Email + phone
- — Brief description (e.g. estate with 4 Persian rugs, Highland Park, probate, need values for fair division)
- — Deadline if any
Common questions
Is a RICA-certified appraisal accepted in Illinois probate court?
Yes. RICA-certified written appraisals are accepted as qualified appraisals for estate and probate purposes in Illinois. The report includes the appraiser's certification number and meets the documentation standards required for court submission.
Does Bobby meet the IRS definition of a qualified appraiser?
Yes. Bobby Ahmadi meets the IRS definition of a qualified appraiser as defined in IRC Section 170 and Treasury Regulation 1.170A-17. His appraisals include all information required for Form 8283 (noncash charitable contributions).
How long does an appraisal take?
Standard turnaround is 48-72 hours from in-person assessment. Expedited 24-hour turnaround is available when estate timelines require. Bobby can work from photographs for preliminary assessments.
What does the appraisal report include?
Description and photographs of each piece, provenance and origin analysis, condition assessment, current fair market value with supporting comparables, RICA certification number, Bobby Ahmadi's signature, and a verifiable RUG Index certificate number.
Need an appraisal this week?
Expedited 24-hour turnaround available when estate timelines require it. Bobby attends in-person estate viewings throughout Chicago and the North Shore.