Executor Compensation and Fees (KY)

In Kentucky, unless the will states otherwise, executor compensation is determined as a percentage of the estate value, not to exceed 5%. Typically, the larger the estate, the smaller the percentage.

Note that assets with named beneficiaries (such as an IRA) are not normally included in the above calculations, since they are not considered to be part of the probate estate, and pass directly to the beneficiaries.

The executor is also entitled to 5% of any estate income collected by the executor. If taxes on income must be withheld, the amount withheld still counts as income received for this calculation.

So for example, a Kentucky estate with a net value of $500K, and $35K of income during the administration period, could generate up to $26,750 in executor compensation.

Finally, the court can also allow additional compensation for "extraordinary" services, such as overseeing the sale of real estate, running a business, conducting litigation, preparing tax returns yourself, handling tax audits, and so on.

See Kentucky Revised Statutes §395-150.

EstateExec provides the following executor compensation estimator for KY estates, but please keep in mind that circumstances may vary, and that there may be special situations addressed by local custom or law. By using this estimator, you acknowledge that EstateExec provides any results as informational input only, not as legal advice, and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies for, or misunderstandings about, any given estate.

You can use this calculator now, but if you use EstateExec to help you track the settlement process, it will automatically perform the sometimes complex calculations to provide inputs for the fields below (you can create an estate for free).