Executor Compensation Laws in the District of Columbia
In the District of Columbia, a personal representative is entitled to reasonable compensation, and the law sets no percentage fee schedule.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
District of Columbia at a glance
- Compensation method
- Reasonable compensation
- The court may order otherwise for good cause for a supervised personal representative or special administrator.
- Statutory fee schedule
- None (no percentage in statute)
- Percentage schedule in statute
- No
The rules in the District of Columbia
How is an executor paid in the District of Columbia?
Compensation method in the District of Columbia: Reasonable compensation. The court may order otherwise for good cause for a supervised personal representative or special administrator.
What percentage can an executor charge in the District of Columbia?
Statutory fee schedule in the District of Columbia: None (no percentage in statute).
Does District of Columbia law set executor fees by a percentage schedule?
No. Percentage schedule in statute in the District of Columbia: no.
Where do the the District of Columbia executor compensation laws come from?
The rules above come from D.C. Code 20-751. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.
What this means in practice
A will can usually address executor pay directly, for example by setting a flat fee, a percentage, or stating that the executor serves without pay. Where the will is silent, the state's default rule applies. An executor can also choose to waive compensation, which some family members do because fees are generally taxable income while inheritances generally are not.
Executor compensation is separate from reimbursement of expenses and from fees paid to the estate's attorney, accountant, or other professionals. Keeping a written log of hours, tasks, and costs helps support a fee request and answers questions from heirs or the court.
Heirs and beneficiaries who believe a fee is too high can usually object in the probate proceeding, and courts can reduce, deny, or increase compensation in some circumstances. Rules on timing, court approval, and extraordinary services differ, so the statute for the state where the estate is probated is the starting point.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
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