How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire 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 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 ($13,525 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 New Hampshire law. The probate court has the final say.

Yes. Executors in New Hampshire 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.

New Hampshire 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.N.H. Circuit Court Probate Division Rule 88Verified Jul 25, 2026

New Hampshire requires a bond of the personal representative by default.RSA 553:13Verified Sep 8, 2026 The bond requirement can often be excused — by a waiver in the will, agreement of the heirs, or court order, depending on the state. If the court requires a corporate surety, the premium runs about 0.5% of the bonded amount annually; most estates avoid it through a waiver or a surety-free bond. The bond protects beneficiaries against executor misconduct or mismanagement.

An executor in New Hampshire is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries. The process typically takes 6-9 months for simple estates and 9-15 months on average. The 6-month creditor claim period runs from the personal representative's appointment. The New Hampshire estate settlement plan outlines each step.

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in New Hampshire probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation.NH Circuit Court Probate Division Rule 88 (reasonable compensation for work, responsibility, and risk; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 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 New Hampshire probate attorney fee calculator.

Total probate costs in New Hampshire 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 $26,585 — roughly 5% of estate value — depending on complexity.NH Circuit Court Probate Division Rule 88 (reasonable compensation for work, responsibility, and risk; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026 Use the New Hampshire probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.