How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Kentucky?
Kentucky pays executors reasonable compensationKRS 395.150(1) (compensation may not exceed 5% of personal estate plus 5% of income; real property excluded from base); KRS 395.150(2) (court may allow additional compensation for unusual or extraordinary services). Calculator estimates effective compensation on the gross estate at 2–5%; the 5% statutory rate is not applied directly because real property is excluded from the statutory base.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
Kentucky allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payKRS 395.150(1) (compensation may not exceed 5% of personal estate plus 5% of income; real property excluded from base); KRS 395.150(2) (court may allow additional compensation for unusual or extraordinary services). Calculator estimates effective compensation on the gross estate at 2–5%; the 5% statutory rate is not applied directly because real property is excluded from the statutory base.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Courts consider the size and complexity of the estate, the time spent, and the executor's skill and experience. Executors can waive the fee entirely or accept a reduced amount.
Kentucky 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 16 states whose legislatures set an executor fee schedule: each schedule is applied to an estate of the same size, and the middle half of those results is the range, 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of a $500,000 estate. It is an estimate anchored in what other legislatures decided the same work is worth, not a figure from Kentucky law; the probate court has the final say.
Kentucky 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.KRS 395.150Verified Jul 25, 2026View source
Kentucky does not require a bond of the personal representative by defaultKRS 395.130 (eff. July 15, 2026: no bond unless the court orders one)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. A court can still order one. The bond protects beneficiaries against executor misconduct or mismanagement.
Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Kentucky probate: attorney fees of typically 1.5%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.4%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate, and executor compensation is set separatelyKRS 395.150(1) (compensation may not exceed 5% of personal estate plus 5% of income; real property excluded from base); KRS 395.150(2) (court may allow additional compensation for unusual or extraordinary services). Calculator estimates effective compensation on the gross estate at 2–5%; the 5% statutory rate is not applied directly because real property is excluded from the statutory base.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Both are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries. Estimate the attorney fee with the Kentucky probate attorney fee calculator.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate in Kentucky
Free forms for settling an estate in Kentucky: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In Kentucky, the petition asks the District Court to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters of Appointment; every appointment goes through the courtKRS 395.015; KRS 395.016 (District Court appointment on sworn application; no non-judicial registrar track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Renunciation of Executor
In Kentucky, a person named as personal representative may refuse the appointmentKy. Rev. Stat. § 395.050(1)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Kentucky, heirs put their identity on the land records with an affidavit of heirship recorded with the countyKRS 382.120; KRS 382.990(2); KRS 391.035Verified Sep 24, 2026View source.
Estate Inventory
In Kentucky, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysKRS 395.250Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Kentucky, the personal representative is discharged by court orderKRS 395.605(5); KRS 395.610(7)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Kentucky
Free tools for settling an estate in Kentucky: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
Can I Self-File Probate?
In Kentucky, informal probate is not availableKRS 395.015; KRS 395.016 (District Court appointment on sworn application; no non-judicial registrar track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Kentucky, the District Court appoints the personal representative and the Circuit Court Clerk issues Letters of Appointment; every appointment goes through the courtKRS 395.015; KRS 395.016 (District Court appointment on sworn application; no non-judicial registrar track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Kentucky, creditors have 6 monthsKRS 396.011Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the personal representative's appointment to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Kentucky pays the claims in 4KRS 396.095Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Kentucky costs an estimated $23,308Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.5%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.4%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Hire a Kentucky Probate Attorney
Browse 111 probate firms in Kentucky with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Kentucky Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Kentucky probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.