How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Kansas?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. Fees vary by state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kansas allows executors to receive "reasonable compensation" as determined by the court.K.S.A. 59-1717 (fiduciary compensation "just and reasonable"; no statutory percentage)Verified Jul 15, 2026 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 Kansas gives none.
Kansas 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 Kansas law. The probate court has the final say.
Yes. Executors in Kansas 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.
Kansas 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.K.S.A. 59-1717Verified Jul 25, 2026
Kansas requires executors to post a surety bond.K.S.A. 59-1101 (bond required, amount not less than 125% of personal property plus probable annual income from real estate); K.S.A. 59-1104 (bond waiver grounds)Verified Jul 15, 2026 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 Kansas is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries.K.S.A. 59-1507b (small estate affidavit); K.S.A. 59-2250 (determination of descent); K.S.A. 59-2239 (creditor claims); K.S.A. 59-2236 / 59-2209 (notice to creditors; publication); K.S.A. 59-3201 through 59-3206 (Kansas Simplified Estates Act); K.S.A. 59-3301 through 59-3306 (Kansas Informal Administration Act); K.S.A. 59-1201 (inventory); K.S.A. 59-1101 (bond); K.S.A. 59-1104 (bond waiver); K.S.A. 59-1717 (fiduciary and attorney fees)Verified Jul 15, 2026 The process typically takes 6-9 months for simple estates and 9-15 months on average. The 4-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. The Kansas estate settlement plan outlines each step.
Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Kansas probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation.K.S.A. 59-1717 (fiduciary and attorney compensation "just and reasonable"; no statutory percentage)Verified Jul 15, 2026 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 Kansas probate attorney fee calculator.
Total probate costs in Kansas 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 $28,237 — roughly 6% of estate value — depending on complexity.K.S.A. 59-1507b (small estate affidavit); K.S.A. 59-2250 (determination of descent); K.S.A. 59-2239 (creditor claims); K.S.A. 59-2236 / 59-2209 (notice to creditors; publication); K.S.A. 59-3201 through 59-3206 (Kansas Simplified Estates Act); K.S.A. 59-3301 through 59-3306 (Kansas Informal Administration Act); K.S.A. 59-1201 (inventory); K.S.A. 59-1101 (bond); K.S.A. 59-1104 (bond waiver); K.S.A. 59-1717 (fiduciary and attorney fees)Verified Jul 15, 2026 Use the Kansas probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.
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Petition for Probate and Letters
Prepare the application to open probate and request Letters Testamentary or of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Prepare the creditor notice for an estate — the official state form or a notice typeset to statute, plus mailed notices for known creditors.
Small Estate Affidavit
Prepare the affidavit that collects a small estate's property without probate — the official state form or an affidavit drafted to statute, plus a presentation letter for each holder.
Estate Inventory
Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.
Estate Closing
Prepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing statement, petition for discharge, or final account, with the state's closing instructions and the optional federal forms.
Letter of Instruction
Prepare the letter of instruction a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement.
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