Summary Executor

The laws in most areas simply stipulate that the fees must be fair and reasonable . Alberta estate law differs in this respect. Executors in this province are expected to keep their fees between 1 and 5 percent of the total value of the estate.

Typically, the probate court will find executor compensation reasonable if it is in line with what people have received in the past as compensation in that area. For example, if in the last year, executor fees were typically 1.5%, then 1.5% would be considered reasonable and 3% may be unreasonable.

State law typically provides for payment of the executor. By Mary Randolph, J.D. Most executors are entitled to payment for their work, either by the terms of the will or under state law.

An administrator will take title legally on the estate's assets, and has legal responsibility to file all tax returns and pay all related taxes.In certain cases, the administrator may have personal liability for any unpaid tax amounts due for the estate.

It is the executor's or the administrator's responsibility to collect and distribute the assets and to pay any death taxes and expenses of the decedent.

Under California Probate Code, the executor typically receives 4% on the first $100,000, 3% on the next $100,000 and 2% on the next $800,000, says William Sweeney, a California-based probate attorney. For an estate worth $600,000 the fee works out at approximately $15,000.

Before distributing assets to beneficiaries, the executor must pay valid debts and expenses, subject to any exclusions provided under state probate laws.The executor must maintain receipts and related documents and provide a detailed accounting to estate beneficiaries.

As an aside, Vermont Statute Title 32 § 1143 states that executors may be paid $4 per day spent in court, but this is geared towards the court paying appointed agents, and that amount was set in 1866.

The Executor is responsible for wrapping up the deceased person's affairs and distributing the assets to, or for the benefit of, the persons named in the will (beneficiaries). An Administrator is the person in charge of the estate when my someone dies without a Last Will and Testament.