Skip to main content
SimplyTrust
SimplyTrust
Create a TrustNewForms & ToolsFreeResourcesStates
LoginGet started
Company
AboutCareersContactFormsCreate a TrustNew
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSecurityAI Access

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc.

SimplyTrust Logo

Every family deserves a plan. We'll help.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Forms

  • Revocable Trust
  • Last Will
  • Pour-Over Will
  • Healthcare Proxy
  • Financial POA
  • Transfer on Death Deed

Tools

  • Trust vs Will
  • Probate Calculator
  • Who Inherits
  • Estate Settlement
  • Death Tax Calculator
  • Life Insurance

Learn

  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Last Will and Testaments
  • Articles
  • State Guides
  • Estate Law
  • Life Events

Directories

  • Law Firms
  • Financial Assets
  • Digital Assets
  • Government Agencies

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Create a Trust

SimplyTrust is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal counsel, or attorney review. Information on this platform is for general informational purposes only. Use of SimplyTrust does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are solely responsible for all documents you create. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy·Terms of Service·Security··AI Access

All content, data, and calculations are proprietary. Automated scraping, systematic downloading, or data extraction is prohibited under our Terms of Service. Product visuals are simulated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual experience. Logos provided by Logo.dev.

A will is a wish. A trust is a plan.

Create and manage your trust online.

How it works

No probate. No public record. No court.

Estate Ledger

Every decision signed, timestamped, and hashed

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing

Download

Get the app on iOS and Android

Home→Tools→Executor Fee Calculator→South Dakota

How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in South Dakota?

Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. Fees vary by state law.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Dakota sets executor compensation by statute.SDCL § 29A-3-719(c) (5% on first $1K, 4% on $1K-$5K, 2.5% on amounts over $5K for personal property; real property court-determined as just and reasonable)Verified May 27, 2026 The fee schedule is based on the gross value of the estate. Executors and beneficiaries may agree to a different amount, but the statutory schedule provides the default.

Yes. Executors in South Dakota 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.

An executor in South Dakota is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries.SDCL § 29A-3-719 (PR compensation), § 29A-3-1201 (small estate — entire estate ≤ $100K, 30-day wait, DSS bar), § 29A-3-1203 (real property affidavit — ≤ $50K, 60-day wait), § 29A-3-603 (bond, amended SL 2025 ch 90), § 29A-3-801 (creditor claims — 4 months), § 29A-3-403 + § 29A-1-401 (notice/publication), § 29A-3-301 (informal probate), § 29A-3-502 (supervised-administration exception). Verified 2026-05-27 against sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/Statute/ endpoints and SD UJS Schedule of Court Costs (Rev. July 11, 2025).Verified May 27, 2026 The process typically takes 4-6 months for simple estates and 6-12 months on average. The 4-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. The South Dakota executor checklist outlines each step.

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in South Dakota probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation.SDCL § 29A-3-719(a) (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage for attorneys)Verified May 27, 2026 Executor compensation is calculated separately from attorney fees. Both fees are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries.

Total probate costs in South Dakota 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 South Dakota probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.

The South Dakota statutory schedule for executor compensation is: 5% on the first $1K, 4% on the next $4K, 2.5% on amounts above $5K.SDCL § 29A-3-719(c) (5% on first $1K, 4% on $1K-$5K, 2.5% on amounts over $5K for personal property; real property court-determined as just and reasonable)Verified May 27, 2026 The fee applies to the gross value of the probate estate. Extraordinary services may warrant additional compensation as approved by the court.

Executor Fees in South Dakota

South Dakota sets executor compensation by statute, providing a predictable fee schedule based on the gross estate value. The typical range is 2.5%SDCL § 29A-3-719(c) (5% on first $1K, 4% on $1K-$5K, 2.5% on amounts over $5K for personal property; real property court-determined as just and reasonable)Verified May 27, 2026 to 5%SDCL § 29A-3-719(c) (5% on first $1K, 4% on $1K-$5K, 2.5% on amounts over $5K for personal property; real property court-determined as just and reasonable)Verified May 27, 2026 of the estate. Executors can waive their fee or negotiate a different amount with beneficiaries.

In addition to executor fees, South Dakota may require a surety bond (NoSDCL § 29A-3-603Verified May 27, 2026). Bond premiums run approximately 0.5%SDCL § 29A-3-603Verified May 27, 2026 of the estate value per year. The bond requirement generally cannot be waived.

Attorney fees are a separate probate cost in South Dakota. The attorney fee type is reasonable compensationSDCL § 29A-3-719(a) (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage for attorneys)Verified May 27, 2026. Together, executor and attorney fees account for the largest share of probate expenses. The South Dakota executor checklist details each responsibility and the typical timeline.

The probate timeline in South Dakota starts at 4 monthsSDCL § 29A-3-719Verified May 27, 2026 for straightforward estates and can extend to 6 monthsSDCL § 29A-3-719Verified May 27, 2026 or longer with complications. Executor fees are typically disbursed at final distribution.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 27, 2026

Legal Sources

  • SDCL § 29A-3-603
  • SDCL § 29A-3-719
  • SDCL § 29A-3-719(a) (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage for attorneys)
  • SDCL § 29A-3-719(c) (5% on first $1K, 4% on $1K-$5K, 2.5% on amounts over $5K for personal property; real property court-determined as just and reasonable)

Data sourced from South Dakota statutes and official state code. How we research.

Your kids shouldn't have to do this.

Court filings, creditor windows, frozen accounts — a revocable living trust skips them all.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

South Dakota Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering South Dakota probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

$

Total value of estate assets before debts. Executor fees are calculated on gross value.

Calculate executor compensation

Select your state and enter the estate value to see what an executor can charge.

Examples:

Executor fees (also called personal representative compensation) are calculated on gross estate value. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Executors may waive their fee. Family members serving as executor often do so without compensation. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

SimplyTrust

We're here when you're ready

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Named as Executor

Named as Executor

Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.

Learn more