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How Much Can Executors Be Paid Under Pennsylvania Law?

Pennsylvania executors fees are a matter within the discretion of the Orphan's court judge. In some states, executors' fees are set by statute. However, in Pennsylvania the fees of an executor are subject to review by the court and must be reasonable.

The practice of my firm, (Unruh, Turner, Burke and Frees) unlike many others, is to review each estate and the particular tasks to be performed and which tasks will be performed by the executor, accountants and others, and to set a flat fee at the outset of the representation.

However, many firms charge on an hourly basis, or according to the fee guidelines as established by the court in The Johnson Estate.

David M. Frees III Pennsylvania Probate and Will Attorney

Johnson Estate, 4 Fid.Rep.2d 6, 8 (1983)

EXECUTOR COMMISSIONS

						Per Col.	Per Total
	$	00.01	to $	100,000.00	5%	5,000.00	5,000.00
	$	100,000.01	to $	200,000.00	4%	4,000.00	9,000.00
Executor or	$	200,000.01	to $	1,000,000.00	3%	24,000.00	33,000.00
Administrator	$	1,000,000.01	to $	2,000,000.00	2%	20,000.00	53,000.00
	$	2,000,000.01	to $	3,000,000.00	1½%	15,000.00	68,000.00
	$	3,000,000.01	to $	4,000,000.00	1%	10,000.00	78,000.00
	$	4,000,000.01	to $	5,000,000.00	½%	5,000.00	83,000.00

1%	Joint Accounts	1%	P.O.D. Bonds	1%	Trust Funds
3%	Real Estate Converted with Aid of Broker	5%	Real Estate: Non-Converted	1%	Real Estate: Specific Devise

	$	00.01	to $	25,000.00	7%	1,750.00	1,750.00
	$	25,000.01	to $	50,000.00	6%	1,500.00	3,250.00
	$	50,000.01	to $	100,000.00	5%	2,500.00	5,750.00
Attorney	$	100,000.01	to $	200,000.00	4%	4,000.00	9,750.00
	$	200,000.01	to $	1,000,000.00	3%	24,000.00	33,750.00
	$	1,000,000.01	to $	2,000,000.00	2%	20,000.00	53,750.00
	$	2,000,000.01	to $	3,000,000.00	1½%	15,000.00	68,750.00
	$	3,000,000.01	to $	4,000,000.00	1%	10,000.00	78,750.00
	$	4,000,000.01	to $	5,000,000.00	½%	5,000.00	83,750.00

½%	Regular Commission P.O.D. Bonds and Trust Funds	3½%	Transfer Joint Accounts	3½%	Assets Which Are Taxable at One Half Value
1%	Non-Probate Assets up to $1,000,000	1%	Non-Probate Assets		Joint Accounts Fully Taxable: Full Commission

Attorney David M. Frees III whose practice involves trusts, estates, wills, and estate and asset protection planning, has just published a new (and free) guide for executors of wills probated in Pennsylvania.  The report entitled:  The Ten Most Common Mistakes That Executors make and How To Avoid Them.  This is a guide for executors to prevent personal liability and a guide to you if you're planning your estate and need to decide who is the best executor.

David Frees and Unruh, Turner, Burke and Frees have offices located conveniently in Malvern, Phoenixville, and West Chester Pennsylvania.  Just click here for directions.

If you are an executor, or if you need to update an old will, trust, or estate plan, or if you need to do one for the first time, call 610-933-8069 and ask for one of David's assistants for an appointment with David or one of his team. 

Please tell us that you're calling from our estate planners web site and you will receive a bonus when you come for an appointent or you have a telephone conference with David.

David Frees has attained AVVOs highest lawyer rating of "superb" or 10.  For more information on David Frees' AVVO rating click here.

For more info from David M. Frees, III

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