How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Mississippi?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. Fees vary by state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mississippi allows executors to receive "reasonable compensation" as determined by the court.Miss. Code § 91-7-299 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 14, 2026 Courts consider the size and complexity of the estate, the time spent, and the executor's skill and experience. Typical fees range from 2% to 4% of estate value.
Yes. Executors in Mississippi 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.
Mississippi requires executors to post a surety bond.Miss. Code Ann. §§ 91-7-41, 91-7-45Verified May 14, 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 Mississippi is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries.Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 (small estate affidavit, $75K per S.B. 2850 eff. 7/1/2020), § 91-5-35 (muniment of title), § 91-7-145 (notice to creditors; 3-week publication), § 91-7-151 (creditor claims, 90 days), § 81-5-63 (bank deposit affidavit, $12,500), § 91-7-299 (executor compensation; reasonable), § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable), § 91-7-41 (oath and bond), § 91-7-45 (when bond not required), § 91-7-93 (inventory within 90 days of letters), § 25-7-9(2) (chancery clerk filing fees)Verified May 14, 2026 The process typically takes 6-12 months for simple estates and 12-18 months on average. The 3-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. The Mississippi executor checklist outlines each step.
Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Mississippi probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation.Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299Verified May 14, 2026 Executor compensation is calculated separately from attorney fees. Both fees are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries.
Total probate costs in Mississippi include executor fees, attorney fees, court filing fees, publication costs, and potentially bond premiums. Executor compensation is one component of the overall expense. The total typically ranges from 3-8% of the estate value depending on complexity. Use the Mississippi probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.
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Mississippi Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Mississippi probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
