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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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)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 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 requires executors to post a surety bond.Wis. Stat. § 856.25 (bond solely within court discretion; will requests not binding)Verified May 27, 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 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.Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2. (filing fees: $20 ≤$10K, 0.2% over $10K, no statutory cap); § 856.25 (bond, solely discretionary with court; will requests not binding); § 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 2026-05-27Verified May 27, 2026 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 executor checklist outlines each step.
Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Wisconsin probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation.Wis. Stat. § 857.05 (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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.
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)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.
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Wisconsin Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Wisconsin probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
