How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Michigan?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. Fees vary by state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Michigan allows executors to receive "reasonable compensation" as determined by the court.MCL 700.3719 (reasonable compensation; 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 Michigan gives none.
Michigan 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 Michigan law. The probate court has the final say.
Yes. Executors in Michigan 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.
Michigan 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.MCL 700.3719Verified Jul 25, 2026
An executor in Michigan is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries.MCL 700.3982, 700.3983 (small estate; base $50K set by PA 1 of 2024, adjusted by 2023 COLA factor per MCL 700.1210; 2026 adjusted amounts: $53K affidavit/petition threshold per MCL 700.3983 and 700.3982(1)&(2); $264K real-property indebtedness deduction cap per MCL 700.3982(5) — confirmed via Michigan Treasury COLA notice dated 2026-01-30, Table B); MCL 700.3803 (4-mo creditor claims from publication; 3-yr if no publication); MCL 700.3801 (publication duty); MCR 5.208 (publication mechanics); MCL 700.3719 (PR reasonable compensation); MCL 700.3721 (attorney reasonable compensation); MCL 700.3603 (bond not required in informal probate by default); MCL 600.871 (inventory fee schedule — all tiers verified); MCL 600.880 (filing fee: $150 civil action; $25 for MCL 700.3982 petition); MCL 700.3302 (informal probate by the probate register); MCL 700.3704 (unsupervised administration); MCL 700.3501 (supervised admin). Verified 2026-07-14 against legislature.mi.gov and the Michigan Treasury EPIC cost-of-living-adjustment notice signed 2026-01-30 (Tables A and B).Verified Jul 15, 2026 The process typically takes 5-7 months for simple estates and 7-12 months on average. The 4-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. The Michigan estate settlement plan outlines each step.
Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Michigan probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation.MCL 700.3721 (court reviews reasonableness of attorney compensation; 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 Michigan probate attorney fee calculator.
Total probate costs in Michigan 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 $25,067 — roughly 5% of estate value — depending on complexity.MCL 700.3982, 700.3983 (small estate; base $50K set by PA 1 of 2024, adjusted by 2023 COLA factor per MCL 700.1210; 2026 adjusted amounts: $53K affidavit/petition threshold per MCL 700.3983 and 700.3982(1)&(2); $264K real-property indebtedness deduction cap per MCL 700.3982(5) — confirmed via Michigan Treasury COLA notice dated 2026-01-30, Table B); MCL 700.3803 (4-mo creditor claims from publication; 3-yr if no publication); MCL 700.3801 (publication duty); MCR 5.208 (publication mechanics); MCL 700.3719 (PR reasonable compensation); MCL 700.3721 (attorney reasonable compensation); MCL 700.3603 (bond not required in informal probate by default); MCL 600.871 (inventory fee schedule — all tiers verified); MCL 600.880 (filing fee: $150 civil action; $25 for MCL 700.3982 petition); MCL 700.3302 (informal probate by the probate register); MCL 700.3704 (unsupervised administration); MCL 700.3501 (supervised admin). Verified 2026-07-14 against legislature.mi.gov and the Michigan Treasury EPIC cost-of-living-adjustment notice signed 2026-01-30 (Tables A and B).Verified Jul 15, 2026 Use the Michigan probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.
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