How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in New Hampshire?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. Fees vary by state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Hampshire allows executors to receive "reasonable compensation" as determined by the court.NH Circuit Court Probate Division Rule 88 (reasonable compensation determined by court; no statutory percentage)Verified Jul 14, 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 New Hampshire gives none.
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 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 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 executors to post a surety bond.RSA 553:13Verified Jul 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 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.NH Probate Div. Rule 88 (fees), NH Probate Div. Rule 169 (filing fees; Aug. 27, 2025 amendment added only a card service charge — estate fee tiers unchanged), RSA 552:6 (will allowed in common form by the judge), RSA 553:2 (court grants administration), RSA 553:13 (bond), RSA 553:16 (publication; $10K publication waiver), RSA 550:10 (publication mechanics; fiduciary advances the cost), RSA 553:32 (Waiver of Administration), RSA 553:33 (Summary Administration), RSA 554:1 (inventory; no appraiser required), RSA 556:1 (no suit within 6 months), RSA 556:3 (demand exhibited within 6 months — the creditor claim period), RSA 556:5 (suit within 1 year), RSA 556:29 (real property claims)Verified Jul 14, 2026 The process typically takes 6-9 months for simple estates and 9-15 months on average. The 6-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. 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 Jul 14, 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 $29,505 — roughly 6% of estate value — depending on complexity.NH Probate Div. Rule 88 (fees), NH Probate Div. Rule 169 (filing fees; Aug. 27, 2025 amendment added only a card service charge — estate fee tiers unchanged), RSA 552:6 (will allowed in common form by the judge), RSA 553:2 (court grants administration), RSA 553:13 (bond), RSA 553:16 (publication; $10K publication waiver), RSA 550:10 (publication mechanics; fiduciary advances the cost), RSA 553:32 (Waiver of Administration), RSA 553:33 (Summary Administration), RSA 554:1 (inventory; no appraiser required), RSA 556:1 (no suit within 6 months), RSA 556:3 (demand exhibited within 6 months — the creditor claim period), RSA 556:5 (suit within 1 year), RSA 556:29 (real property claims)Verified Jul 14, 2026 Use the New Hampshire probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.
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