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Home→Tools→Executor Fee Calculator

What Should an Executor Be Paid for Settling an Estate?

Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. Fees vary by state law.

$

Total value of estate assets before debts. Executor fees are calculated on gross value.

Calculate executor compensation

Select your state and enter the estate value to see what an executor can charge.

Examples:
West Dakota: $999,999 (99.9%)East Montana: $888,888 (88.8%)

Executor fees (also called personal representative compensation) are calculated on gross estate value. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Executors may waive their fee. Family members serving as executor often do so without compensation. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

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Instant Calculation

Instant Calculation

Get executor fee estimates in seconds based on your state's rules.

State-Specific Rules

State-Specific Rules

Every state has different executor compensation rules. We use current statutory and typical rates.

Statutory vs Reasonable

Statutory vs Reasonable

See whether your state has fixed statutory fees or uses negotiable "reasonable compensation."

Completely Free

Completely Free

No account required. No email. Just enter the estate value and get your estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

An executor fee (also called personal representative compensation) is payment for the work of administering a deceased person's estate. This includes gathering assets, paying debts, filing taxes, and distributing property to beneficiaries. The amount varies by state law.

Executor fees are calculated differently depending on the state. Some states have "statutory" fees set by law as a percentage of the estate value. Other states use "reasonable compensation" which is negotiated and subject to court approval if challenged. Our calculator uses current rates for all 50 states.

Not always. In some states (like California), executor and attorney fees follow the same statutory schedule. In other states, they are calculated differently. Executor fees compensate the personal representative for their work, while attorney fees pay for legal services.

Yes, executors can waive compensation entirely or accept a reduced amount. This is common when the executor is a family member who is also a beneficiary. Since executor fees are taxable income but inheritances generally are not, waiving the fee may be advantageous.

These terms are often used interchangeably. "Executor" traditionally refers to someone named in a will, while "personal representative" is the broader legal term used in many states. Both roles involve the same responsibilities and compensation.

How Much Can Executors Charge?

An executor (also called a personal representative) is the person responsible for administering a deceased person's estate through probate. This role involves significant responsibilities: gathering and valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, handling legal paperwork, and ultimately distributing the estate to beneficiaries.

The law recognizes that this work deserves compensation. In some states, fees are set by statute as a percentage of the estate value - providing predictability for everyone involved. In most states, however, executors receive "reasonable compensation" based on factors like time spent, complexity of the estate, and local practices.

Many executors are family members who choose to waive their fee, especially if they are also beneficiaries. Since executor fees are taxable income while inheritances generally are not, this can be a smart financial decision. However, for complex estates or professional executors, fair compensation is appropriate.

Use our calculator to see what an executor can charge in your state, whether fees are statutory or negotiable, and what factors affect compensation.

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Named as Executor

Named as Executor

Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.

Learn more

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