What are the duties of an executor in Connecticut?

An executor in Connecticut is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries. The process typically takes 6-12 months for simple estates and 12-18 months on average (C.G.S. § 45a-107(b),(l)(3) (court fee schedule + $40K cap, verified from cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_801b.htm#sec_45a-107); § 45a-273 (small estate $40K, verified from cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_802b.htm#sec_45a-273); § 45a-275 (30-day window before small-estate decree); § 45a-356 (150-day creditor period, cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_802b.htm#sec_45a-356); §§ 45a-289, 45a-169, 45a-139 (bond + waivers); § 45a-354 with §§ 45a-109(3), 45a-110(a) (newspaper notice + estate pays the expense); §§ 45a-341, 45a-346 (fiduciary appraisal; court-appointed appraisers prohibited); § 45a-286 (hearing required to admit a will); CT Probate Court Rules of Procedure Rules 30 and 39 (ctprobate.gov)). The 5-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline.

How do executor fees compare to attorney fees in Connecticut?

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Connecticut probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation (CT Probate Court Rules of Procedure, Rule 39 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; Hayward v. Plant factors). Note: C.G.S. § 45a-294 covers will contest expenses only and is not the fee authority.). Executor compensation is calculated separately from attorney fees. Both fees are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries.

How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Connecticut?

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

Actually settling up? Log your fee against every transaction.

State

Estate Value

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

Number of Executors

Calculate executor compensation

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

Examples:

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Connecticut allows executors to receive "reasonable compensation" as determined by the court. Courts consider the size and complexity of the estate, the time spent, and the executor's skill and experience. On a $500,000 estate, the states that do set a statutory schedule pay 2.23% to 3.82% — a useful reference point where Connecticut gives none.

Connecticut law says only that compensation must be reasonable — it names no percentage, so no exact figure exists to look up. The estimate is built from the 17 states whose legislatures DO set an executor fee schedule: each schedule is applied to an estate of the same size, and the midpoint of those results is shown ($14,050 on a $500,000 estate), with the middle half of them as the range. It is an estimate anchored in what other legislatures decided the same work is worth, not a figure from Connecticut law. The probate court has the final say.

Yes. Executors in Connecticut can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. Family members serving as executor often waive compensation, particularly when they are also beneficiaries of the estate. Waiving the fee reduces the overall cost of probate and increases the amount available for distribution to beneficiaries.

Connecticut statute does not address how co-executors share compensation. The court sets one reasonable amount for the estate and allocates it among the executors serving.

Connecticut requires executors to post a surety bond. The bond requirement can be waived in the will or by court order. The typical annual bond premium is approximately 0.5% of the estate value. The bond protects beneficiaries against executor misconduct or mismanagement.

An executor in Connecticut is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries. The process typically takes 6-12 months for simple estates and 12-18 months on average. The 5-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. The Connecticut estate settlement plan outlines each step.

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Connecticut probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation. Executor compensation is calculated separately from attorney fees. Both fees are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries. To estimate the attorney fee, use the Connecticut probate attorney fee calculator.

Total probate costs in Connecticut include executor fees, attorney fees, court filing fees, publication costs, and potentially bond premiums. Executor compensation is one component of the overall expense. On a $500,000 estate, the total runs about $32,199 — roughly 6% of estate value — depending on complexity. Use the Connecticut probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.

Executor Fees in Connecticut

Connecticut uses a "reasonable compensation" standard for executor fees, typically 2.23% to 3.82% of the estate value. Courts consider estate complexity, time spent, and the executor's responsibilities when evaluating fees. The probate calculator provides a complete cost estimate.

When two or more executors serve together: Connecticut statute does not address how co-executors share compensation. The court sets one reasonable amount for the estate and allocates it among the executors serving. (Conn. Probate Court Rules of Procedure, Rule 39.)

In addition to executor fees, Connecticut may require a surety bond (Yes). Bond premiums run approximately 0.5% of the estate value per year. The requirement is waivable (Yes), which reduces overall costs.

Attorney fees are a separate probate cost in Connecticut. The attorney fee type is reasonable compensation. Together, executor and attorney fees account for the largest share of probate expenses. The Connecticut estate settlement plan details each responsibility and the typical timeline.

The probate timeline in Connecticut starts at 6 months for straightforward estates and can extend to 12 months or longer with complications. Executor fees are typically disbursed at final distribution.