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Kentucky Executor Fee Calculator

Estimate executor compensation under KRS § 395.150 — two independent 5% ceilings, one on the personal estate, one on income, with real property excluded from the base entirely.

Based on KRS § 395.150 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your Kentucky estate

Kentucky's cap has two independent parts — enter the personal estate value and any income collected. Real property doesn't belong in either field.

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Maximum Kentucky executor compensation
$0
— statutory ceiling, not a guaranteed amount
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How the Kentucky executor fee actually works

An old, stable statute — recodified in 1942 and essentially unchanged since — with two entirely separate 5% ceilings and real estate excluded from the calculation.

1. Two independent 5% ceilings

KRS § 395.150(1): "The compensation of an executor, administrator or curator, for services as such, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the value of the personal estate of the decedent, plus five percent (5%) of the income he collects." These are two separate calculations added together — not one combined 5%.

2. Real property is excluded from the base entirely

Personal estate, as used in § 395.150(1): real property isn't included in this calculation at all — unlike states where real estate counts only if sold, Kentucky's "personal estate" figure simply doesn't include real property in the first place. Assets that pass outside probate with a named beneficiary (like a 401(k), IRA, or life insurance policy) also aren't part of the probated estate used for this calculation.

3. Extraordinary services can add more, with court approval

§ 395.150(2): if the personal representative proves they performed services above and beyond what's normally required, the court may award additional compensation — a real avenue for real-estate-related or other unusual work that the standard 5%+5% doesn't otherwise capture.

4. A real case: exceeding the cap without approval has consequences

Kentucky Bar Association v. Jacobs (2012): an attorney serving as both executor and estate attorney was disciplined for collecting fees "more than twice the maximum authorized by KRS 395.150(1)" on a $469,277.71 estate, and for doing so "without seeking the prior approval from the court." Combined attorney-and-executor fees totaled more than 10% of the estate's value. The case cites Morgan v. Meacham, 279 Ky. 526 (1938), which governs the separate compensation rules for someone serving as both executor and attorney — a real, decades-old precedent still cited today.
ComponentKentucky figure
Personal estate valueUp to 5%
Income collectedUp to 5% (separate)
Real propertyExcluded from the base
Extraordinary servicesAdditional, with court approval

Kentucky executor fee — frequently asked questions

How much does an executor get paid in Louisville or Lexington?

The KRS § 395.150 cap applies statewide, including Jefferson and Fayette counties. There's no county-specific rate.

Why doesn't real estate count?

Kentucky's "personal estate" figure, as used in the statute, categorically excludes real property - it's not a matter of whether the property was sold, unlike some other states.

Is 5%+5% automatic?

No - these are ceilings, not guaranteed amounts. If the personal representative proves extraordinary services beyond normal duties, the court may allow more under § 395.150(2), but exceeding the cap without proper court approval has led to real bar discipline in at least one documented case.

Do co-executors each get their own 5%+5%?

No - Kentucky's statute doesn't address how co-executors share compensation; the court sets one reasonable amount for the estate and allocates it among the executors serving.

Is the Kentucky executor fee taxable?

Yes — compensation is taxable income under federal law regardless of state. See our guide to how it's taxed, and when to waive it for the IRS rules on self-employment tax and reporting.

Kentucky executor fee guides

Kentucky Executor Fee: How Much Is It?The 5%+5% ceilings explained Kentucky Executor Fee: Taxable? Can You Waive It?IRS rules + waiver Kentucky Co-Executors: How Is the Fee Split?Multiple PRs Kentucky Probate Cost CalculatorThe full cost picture

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Figures are based on Kentucky statute (KRS § 395.150). These are statutory maximums, not guaranteed amounts — the probate court has final say over what's actually paid. Confirm current figures with the probate court or a licensed Kentucky attorney before acting.