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Executor Compensation Laws in Georgia

In Georgia, if the will or a written agreement does not set pay, a personal representative receives 2.5% of money received plus 2.5% of money paid out, and up to 3% for property delivered in kind.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Georgia at a glance

Compensation method
Will or agreement first, then statutory commissions
A will, a written agreement with the decedent, or an agreement signed by all beneficiaries or heirs controls; otherwise the statutory commissions apply.
Statutory fee schedule
2.5% of receipts plus 2.5% of disbursements
Also up to 3% of value for property delivered in kind, 10% of interest earned on estate loans, and up to 10% of annual income for managing land.
Percentage schedule in statute
Yes

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Georgia

How is an executor paid in Georgia?

Compensation method in Georgia: Will or agreement first, then statutory commissions. A will, a written agreement with the decedent, or an agreement signed by all beneficiaries or heirs controls; otherwise the statutory commissions apply.

What percentage can an executor charge in Georgia?

Statutory fee schedule in Georgia: 2.5% of receipts plus 2.5% of disbursements. Also up to 3% of value for property delivered in kind, 10% of interest earned on estate loans, and up to 10% of annual income for managing land.

Does Georgia law set executor fees by a percentage schedule?

Yes. Percentage schedule in statute in Georgia: yes.

Where do the Georgia executor compensation laws come from?

The rules above come from Ga. Code 53-6-60. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

Personal representatives who fail to file required annual returns forfeit commissions for that year unless the probate court relieves them.

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.