How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Vermont?

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

Yes. Executors in Vermont 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.

Vermont 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.14 V.S.A. § 1065Verified Jul 25, 2026

Vermont requires executors to post a surety bond.14 V.S.A. § 906; 14 V.S.A. §§ 2101-2110Verified Jul 15, 2026 The bond is generally required regardless of will provisions. 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 Vermont is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries.14 V.S.A. § 1901 (small estate), § 1201 (notice to creditors), §§ 1202-1203 (limitations/creditor claims), § 1065 (fees), § 906 (bond), §§ 2101-2110 (probate bonds, Ch. 101), §§ 1851-1854 (waiver of administration, Ch. 80); 32 V.S.A. § 1434(a)(1)-(8) (formal estate filing fees) and § 1434(a)(30) (small estate $50 fee); V.R.P.P. 80.3 (small estate procedure); re-verified 2026-07-14 against legislature.vermont.gov and vermontjudiciary.orgVerified Jul 15, 2026 The process typically takes 6-9 months for simple estates and 9-15 months on average. The 4-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. The Vermont estate settlement plan outlines each step.

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Vermont probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation.14 V.S.A. § 1065 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified 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 Vermont probate attorney fee calculator.

Total probate costs in Vermont 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 $27,586 — roughly 6% of estate value — depending on complexity.14 V.S.A. § 1901 (small estate), § 1201 (notice to creditors), §§ 1202-1203 (limitations/creditor claims), § 1065 (fees), § 906 (bond), §§ 2101-2110 (probate bonds, Ch. 101), §§ 1851-1854 (waiver of administration, Ch. 80); 32 V.S.A. § 1434(a)(1)-(8) (formal estate filing fees) and § 1434(a)(30) (small estate $50 fee); V.R.P.P. 80.3 (small estate procedure); re-verified 2026-07-14 against legislature.vermont.gov and vermontjudiciary.orgVerified Jul 15, 2026 Use the Vermont probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.