How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Virginia?

Yes. Executors in Virginia 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.

Virginia requires executors to post a surety bond.Va. Code § 64.2-504Verified May 1, 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 Virginia is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries.Va. Code § 64.2-601 (small estate $75K threshold and 60-day waiting period), § 64.2-600 (small asset definition, personal property only, real property excluded), § 64.2-1208 (fiduciary compensation; reasonable, no statutory percentage), § 64.2-504 (bond requirement), § 64.2-505 (bond waiver by will), § 64.2-508 (notice to heirs/beneficiaries within 30 days; no newspaper publication), § 64.2-529 (PR liability protection after 12 months from qualification), § 64.2-550 (creditor proof-of-debts hearing before commissioner of accounts; newspaper publication required), § 64.2-1200 (Commissioner of Accounts), § 64.2-1300 (inventory due within 4 months of qualification), §§ 64.2-1305 et seq. (accountings to commissioner of accounts), § 58.1-1712 (state probate tax $0.10/$100; $15K exemption), § 58.1-1718 (optional local probate tax = 1/3 of state tax), § 17.1-275(A)(3) (circuit court qualification fees: $20/$25/$30 by estate value tier; $5K or less no fee); law.lis.virginia.gov; vacourts.govVerified May 1, 2026 The process typically takes 6-9 months for simple estates and 9-12 months on average. The 12-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. The Virginia executor checklist outlines each step.

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Virginia probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation.Va. Code § 64.2-1208 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 1, 2026 Executor compensation is calculated separately from attorney fees. Both fees are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries.

Total probate costs in Virginia 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 Virginia probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.