What is the executor fee in Florida?

Florida has a statutory fee schedule that is "presumed reasonable" for executor compensation (Fla. Stat. § 733.617). This means the statutory amount serves as a baseline, but executors and beneficiaries can negotiate a different fee.

What does an executor do in Florida?

An executor in Florida 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 6-9 months for simple estates and 9-12 months on average (Fla. Stat. § 733.402 (bond — required by default: "Unless the bond requirement has been waived by the will or by the court, every fiduciary to whom letters are granted shall execute and file a bond with surety"; banks/trust companies exempt under (3)), § 733.617(2) (PR commission presumed reasonable: 3% first $1M, 2.5% $1M-$5M, 2% $5M-$10M, 1.5% above $10M), § 733.6171(3) (attorney compensation presumed reasonable: $1,500 for estates $40,000 or less; +$750 $40K-$70K; +$750 $70K-$100K; "3 percent on the next $900,000"; 2.5% $1M-$3M; 2% $3M-$5M; 1.5% $5M-$10M; 1% above $10M; written disclosure of negotiability required by (2)(b)), § 733.604(1)(a) (PR self-values the estate in a verified inventory — no court appraiser), § 733.702(1) (creditor claims: later of 3 months from first publication OR 30 days from service on the creditor), § 733.710(1) (absolute 2-year nonclaim bar from date of death), § 733.2121(2) (publication "once a week for 2 consecutive weeks, in a newspaper published in the county where the estate is administered"), § 735.201(2) (summary administration: estate less exempt property "does not exceed $150,000 ... or ... the decedent has been dead for more than 2 years" — $150,000 per Ch. 2026-57 § 7, in force since 2026-07-01), § 735.301(1) (disposition without administration: decedent "leaving only personal property" whose nonexempt value does not exceed preferred funeral expenses + last-60-days medical/hospital expenses; no fixed dollar cap; not amended by Ch. 2026-57). Re-verified 2026-07-14 by live fetch of the Ch. 733 and Ch. 735 statute pages on leg.state.fl.us and the enrolled chapter law Ch. 2026-57 at laws.flrules.org/2026/57 (act § 14: "This act shall take effect July 1, 2026"). Codified republication on leg.state.fl.us still printed the pre-2026 figures ($75,000 / $2,500 / $1,000 / $10,000) on 2026-07-14; the chapter law controls.). The 3-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline.

How do executor fees compare to attorney fees in Florida?

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Florida probate. Attorney fees are based on a presumed-reasonable statutory schedule (Fla. Stat. § 733.6171). 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 Florida?

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

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State

Estate Value

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:

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

Florida has a statutory fee schedule that is "presumed reasonable" for executor compensation. This means the statutory amount serves as a baseline, but executors and beneficiaries can negotiate a different fee.

Yes. Executors in Florida 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.

Florida 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 Florida 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 6-9 months for simple estates and 9-12 months on average. The 3-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. The Florida estate settlement plan outlines each step.

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Florida probate. Attorney fees are based on a presumed-reasonable statutory schedule. 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 Florida probate attorney fee calculator.

Total probate costs in Florida 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 $33,095 — roughly 7% of estate value — depending on complexity. Use the Florida probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.

Executor Fees in Florida

Executor compensation in Florida is based on reasonable compensation, ranging from to of estate value. Unlike statutory-fee states, executors and beneficiaries have flexibility to negotiate. Use the Florida probate calculator to see how executor fees fit into total probate costs.

Florida bond requirement: Yes. The bond is waivable (Yes), often through a provision in the will. The typical bond premium is 0.5% of estate value annually. Bond costs are an additional probate expense beyond executor compensation.

Beyond executor compensation, Florida probate involves attorney fees (reasonable compensation), court filing fees, and publication costs. The executor is responsible for managing these expenses. See the estate settlement plan for a step-by-step guide to the Florida probate process.

Simple estates in Florida typically close in 6 months to 9 months. Executor compensation is usually paid at the close of the estate, though interim fees may be requested for longer administrations.