Ordinary compensation
What is the Florida executor fee schedule?
| Compensable value band | Rate in that band | Running example |
|---|---|---|
| First $1 million | 3% | $15,000 on $500,000; $30,000 on $1 million |
| $1 million through $5 million | 2.5% | Add $25,000 for each additional $1 million in this band |
| $5 million through $10 million | 2% | Add $20,000 for each additional $1 million in this band |
| Above $10 million | 1.5% | Add $15,000 for each additional $1 million |
Use the statutory base
What value is used to calculate personal representative compensation?
The statutory base includes the inventory value of probate assets and income earned by the estate during administration. It excludes assets excluded by the statute, including protected homestead and certain nonprobate assets. The calculation is not simply the gross wealth shown on a family worksheet.
Build the inventory from actual deeds, titles, account ownership, beneficiary records, date-of-death values, appraisals, and estate income. Ask counsel to confirm disputed classifications before relying on an estimate.
Connect pay to the work
What ordinary work does a Florida personal representative handle?
| Stage | Representative responsibility | Record to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Protect the estate | Secure property, mail, accounts, insurance, and information. | Condition, access, expense, and decision log. |
| Obtain authority | Work with counsel on appointment, bond, and Letters of Administration. | Court orders, Letters, and institution submissions. |
| Administer property | Identify assets, manage cash, address valid debts, and handle approved transfers or sales. | Inventory, statements, receipts, contracts, and creditor file. |
| Coordinate taxes and reporting | Provide records and complete required administration reporting. | Tax documents, ledger, professional work, and filings. |
| Distribute and close | Make authorized distributions and seek discharge. | Receipts, accounting, reserve, and closing record. |
The schedule is not automatic
When can a Florida executor fee be changed, waived, or reviewed?
A personal representative can waive compensation. The will can address compensation, and interested people may enter an agreement where permitted. The ordinary statutory commission is payable from estate assets without a court order, but it can still be reviewed by the court on petition. Co-representatives, successor representatives, and representatives who serve for only part of the case require careful allocation.
Before paying compensation, confirm the will, compensation record, accounting treatment, interested-person rights, and tax reporting. If the amount is disputed or extraordinary work is claimed, ask counsel whether court review or approval should be requested.
Work outside the ordinary schedule
What can count as extraordinary personal representative services?
Extraordinary services can support additional reasonable compensation. Examples can include operating a business, handling litigation, managing difficult real estate, addressing complex tax matters, or performing other work beyond routine administration. Whether work is extraordinary and what amount is reasonable depend on the case.
Keep a contemporaneous record of the task, date, time, purpose, result, difficulty, and benefit to the estate. Separate the representative’s work from attorney, accountant, broker, property manager, and other professional services.
Estate settlement, done for you
How can Alix help with Florida personal representative work?
Alix manages estate settlement from start to finish with legal support included. A dedicated Estate Settlement Specialist handles the broader process, while a licensed attorney handles legal advice, representation, required filings, hearings, formal accountings, and other work that requires a lawyer.
| Workstream | Who handles it | What that means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Legal work | A licensed attorney | Advice, representation, court filings, notices, hearings, and formal accountings are handled by counsel. |
| Estate operations | Your Alix Estate Settlement Specialist | Asset discovery, document organization, account closures, property, creditors, transfers, tax coordination, records, and beneficiary communication are handled with you. |
| Your decisions | You, with support | You approve decisions that require your authority without running every task and handoff yourself. |
Make the role manageable
What should a Florida executor confirm before accepting the role?
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Can I qualify and serve? | Florida restrictions, residence, relationship, and conflicts can affect appointment. |
| What property needs immediate action? | Insurance, occupancy, security, mail, and cash may be urgent. |
| Who handles legal work? | Formal administration usually requires Florida counsel. |
| Who owns the operational workload? | Accounts, property, records, vendors, taxes, and family updates continue outside court. |
| How will compensation be handled? | The will, waiver, agreement, schedule, tax treatment, and approval should be documented. |
| Can the estate fund its expenses? | A valuable estate can still have limited cash early in administration. |
Florida local guidance
Find probate help for a Florida city or county
Common questions
Florida executor-fee questions
How much does an executor get paid in Florida?
Florida law provides a commission schedule presumed reasonable for ordinary personal representative services: 3% through $1 million, 2.5% from $1 million through $5 million, 2% from $5 million through $10 million, and 1.5% above $10 million.
Is the Florida executor fee mandatory?
No. The schedule is a presumed reasonable amount, not a mandatory invoice. A representative can waive compensation, and the will, an agreement, court review, service period, or extraordinary work can affect payment.
Are Florida executor fees calculated on the gross estate?
The statutory base uses compensable inventory value and estate income, with statutory exclusions. It is not necessarily every asset associated with the person.
Are attorney fees included in Florida executor compensation?
No. Attorney compensation and personal representative compensation are separate. Each should be evaluated under its own agreement and legal rules.
When is a Florida executor paid?
The ordinary statutory commission can be paid from estate assets without a court order. Coordinate payment with the will, administration, accounting, compensation record, interested-person rights, and tax reporting, and ask counsel about court review when the amount is disputed or extraordinary work is claimed.
Can a Florida executor receive extra compensation?
A court may allow additional reasonable compensation for extraordinary services. The work and its benefit to the estate should be documented.
References
- 2026 Florida Statutes, section 733.617
- 2026 Florida Statutes, section 733.6175
- 2026 Florida Statutes, Chapter 733
- Florida Probate Rules
- The Florida Bar, Probate in Florida
This guide provides general information, not legal advice. Court requirements and fees can change. Confirm the current rule and county instructions for the estate.