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Executor Compensation Laws in Indiana

In Indiana, a personal representative receives the compensation set in the will, or, if none or if renounced, what the court deems just and reasonable, with no percentage schedule.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Indiana at a glance

Compensation method
Will provision, otherwise just and reasonable
Pay set in a will is full compensation unless renounced in writing before qualifying; extra pay may be allowed for legal and other services.
Statutory fee schedule
None (no percentage in statute)
Percentage schedule in statute
No

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Indiana

How is an executor paid in Indiana?

Compensation method in Indiana: Will provision, otherwise just and reasonable. Pay set in a will is full compensation unless renounced in writing before qualifying; extra pay may be allowed for legal and other services.

What percentage can an executor charge in Indiana?

Statutory fee schedule in Indiana: None (no percentage in statute).

Does Indiana law set executor fees by a percentage schedule?

No. Percentage schedule in statute in Indiana: no.

Where do the Indiana executor compensation laws come from?

The rules above come from Ind. Code 29-1-10-13. 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.