How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Mississippi?

Mississippi 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 Mississippi law. The probate court has the final say.

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 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.Miss. Code § 91-7-299Verified Jul 25, 2026

Mississippi requires executors to post a surety bond.Miss. Code Ann. §§ 91-7-41, 91-7-45, 91-7-67Verified 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 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; such sum as the court deems proper), § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable), § 91-7-41 (oath and bond of executor), § 91-7-45 (when bond not required), § 91-7-67 (oath and bond of administrator; chancellor may waive or reduce), § 91-7-93 (inventory within 90 days of letters; PR states market value), § 91-7-109 (PR MAY employ an appraiser), § 9-5-141 (chancery clerk may admit wills in common form and grant letters), § 25-7-9(2) (chancery clerk filing fees)Verified Jul 15, 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 estate settlement plan 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 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 Mississippi probate attorney fee calculator.

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. On a $500,000 estate, the total runs about $26,734 — roughly 5% of estate value — depending on complexity.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; such sum as the court deems proper), § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable), § 91-7-41 (oath and bond of executor), § 91-7-45 (when bond not required), § 91-7-67 (oath and bond of administrator; chancellor may waive or reduce), § 91-7-93 (inventory within 90 days of letters; PR states market value), § 91-7-109 (PR MAY employ an appraiser), § 9-5-141 (chancery clerk may admit wills in common form and grant letters), § 25-7-9(2) (chancery clerk filing fees)Verified Jul 15, 2026 Use the Mississippi probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.