What is the executor fee in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin sets executor compensation by statute (Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (2% commission on inventory value less mortgages/liens plus net principal gains; parties may agree to different rate in writing; court may allow additional sums for unusual difficulty or extraordinary services)). 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.

What does an executor do in Wisconsin?

An executor in Wisconsin 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 9-12 months on average (Wis. Stat. § 851.40(1) (attorney: just and reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage); § 814.66(1)(a)2. (filing fees: $20 ≤$10K, 0.2% over $10K, no statutory cap); § 856.25(1)/(4) (bond, solely discretionary with court; will requests not binding); §§ 858.13/858.15 (court-appointed appraisers; no appraisal for readily-ascertainable assets); § 857.05(2) (2% PR commission on inventory less liens + net principal gains; parties may agree to different rate in writing); § 859.01 (3-4 month creditor claims set by court); § 859.07 (publication, first insertion within 15 days of order); Ch. 865 (informal administration by probate registrar); § 867.03(1g) ($50K small estate, no CPI), § 867.03(1h) (sole-named PR cannot receive real property via affidavit), § 867.03(1j) (30-day hold for sole-named PRs only) — verified against docs.legis.wisconsin.gov 2026-07-14). The 4-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline.

How do executor fees compare to attorney fees in Wisconsin?

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Wisconsin probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation (Wis. Stat. § 851.40(1) (just and reasonable compensation for services under chs. 851-879, incl. ch. 865 informal administration; no statutory percentage for attorneys — estate value may not be the controlling factor)). Executor compensation is calculated separately from attorney fees. Both fees are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries.

What is the Wisconsin statutory executor fee schedule?

The Wisconsin statutory schedule for executor compensation is: 2% on amounts above $0 (Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (2% commission on inventory value less mortgages/liens plus net principal gains; parties may agree to different rate in writing; court may allow additional sums for unusual difficulty or extraordinary services)). The fee applies to the gross value of the probate estate. Extraordinary services may warrant additional compensation as approved by the court.

How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Wisconsin?

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

Actually settling up? Log your fee against every transaction.

State

Estate Value

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

Number of Executors

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wisconsin sets executor compensation by statute. 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 Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin requires executors to post a surety bond. 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 Wisconsin 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 9-12 months on average. The 4-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. The Wisconsin estate settlement plan outlines each step.

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Wisconsin probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation. 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 Wisconsin probate attorney fee calculator.

Total probate costs in Wisconsin 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 $24,590 — roughly 5% of estate value — depending on complexity. Use the Wisconsin probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.

The Wisconsin statutory schedule for executor compensation is: 2% on amounts above $0. 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 Wisconsin

Executor fees in Wisconsin follow a statutory schedule — typically to of the estate value. This gives families predictability when estimating probate costs. The probate calculator includes executor fees in its total cost estimate.

Wisconsin 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. (Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2).) The calculator applies this rule when more than one executor is selected.

Wisconsin bond requirement: Yes. The bond is waivable (Yes), often through a provision in the will. The typical bond premium is 0.5% of estate value annually. Bond costs are an additional probate expense beyond executor compensation.

Beyond executor compensation, Wisconsin probate involves attorney fees (reasonable compensation), court filing fees, and publication costs. The executor is responsible for managing these expenses. See the estate settlement plan for a step-by-step guide to the Wisconsin probate process.

Simple estates in Wisconsin typically close in 6 months to 9 months. Executor compensation is usually paid at the close of the estate, though interim fees may be requested for longer administrations.