How much does an executor get paid in California?

Short answer

California sets the executor’s statutory compensation at 4% of the first $100,000, 3% of the next $100,000, 2% of the next $800,000, 1% of the next $9 million and 0.5% of the next $15 million. Above $25 million, the court sets a reasonable amount.

On a $500,000 estate that is $13,000.

Source: California Probate Code §10800. Not legal advice — the probate court has the final word.

Calculate your California executor fee →

The California fee schedule

Portion of the estate	Rate
$0 – $100,000	4%
$100,000 – $200,000	3%
$200,000 – $1,000,000	2%
$1,000,000 – $10,000,000	1%
$10,000,000 – $25,000,000	0.5%
Above $25,000,000	set by the court

What counts toward the fee

The base is the inventory value of the estate, plus gains on sales and other receipts, less losses on sales. Mortgages and other debts are not subtracted — a $900,000 house with a $600,000 mortgage counts as $900,000.

Above $25 million the schedule stops and the court decides the fee on the portion over that line.

Worked examples

Estate value	Executor fee	Effective rate
$250,000	$8,000	3.2%
$500,000	$13,000	2.6%
$1,000,000	$23,000	2.3%
$2,000,000	$33,000	1.7%

Taxes and waiving the fee

Yes. An executor commission is taxable income to the executor. An inheritance generally is not, which is why an executor who is also a beneficiary often waives the fee.

No. Executors can decline the commission. Whether waiving makes sense depends on whether the executor is also a beneficiary and on their tax situation — check with the estate’s attorney.

For the executor doing the work

Keep the record that justifies the fee

Estate Executor OS tracks every asset, account, receipt and payout, plus the probate deadlines — the same records a California court asks for in the final accounting. One offline file, one-time $29.00.

Buy now — $29.00 Try the live demo →