Washington Executor Fee: How Much Is It?

Q: How much does an executor get paid in Washington state?

Washington has no statutory percentage. Under RCW 11.48.210, a court awards whatever compensation it deems just and reasonable, weighing the time and effort involved, the size and complexity of the estate, and local standards.

Quick answer: There's no statutory percentage in Washington. Under RCW 11.48.210, a personal representative is entitled to whatever compensation the court "shall deem just and reasonable" — a flexible, factor-based standard rather than a sliding scale. Secondary sources sometimes describe a rough 1.5-4% of estate value range in practice, but that's an informal observation, not a rate set by law. Get your own illustrative estimate with the Washington executor fee calculator.

"Just and reasonable," explained

RCW 11.48.210: when no compensation is provided in the will, when the personal representative renounces the will's provision, or in an intestate estate, the personal representative "shall be allowed such compensation for his or her services as the court shall deem just and reasonable." Courts weigh the time and effort involved, the size and complexity of the estate, and prevailing local standards — there's no dollar figure written into the statute.

The will's terms usually control

RCW 11.48.210: if the will sets compensation, "that shall be taken as his or her full compensation" — unless the personal representative files a written instrument with the court renouncing that provision before qualifying as personal representative. Once qualified, the window to switch to court-determined compensation instead of the will's stated amount has closed.

A distinctive wrinkle: attorney-personal representatives

If the personal representative happens to be a licensed attorney and performs actual legal work for the estate, RCW 11.48.210 allows that work to be compensated separately — "additional compensation may be allowed for his or her services as attorney and for other services not required of a personal representative." This is worth knowing if you're both the named executor and a practicing attorney handling your own family member's estate.

You can ask for money along the way

Compensation is often addressed at the final account, but the statute explicitly permits a personal representative (or their attorney) to apply to the court for an interim allowance at any point during administration — useful for a long-running estate rather than waiting years for a single payment at closing.

Misconduct can cost the fee entirely

RCW 11.48.210; Estate of Bobbitt, 60 Wn. App. 630, 806 P.2d 254 (1991): if the court finds the personal representative failed to discharge their duties, it may deny compensation entirely or reduce what would otherwise be allowed.

Illustrative examples

Estate value	~1.5%	~2.5%	~4%
$200,000	$3,000	$5,000	$8,000
$400,000	$6,000	$10,000	$16,000
$800,000	$12,000	$20,000	$32,000

Illustrative only — not statutory. Model your own scenario in the calculator.

Facing probate in Washington?

A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.

Talk to a Washington attorney

Washington executor fee — frequently asked questions

How much does an executor get paid in Washington state?

Washington has no statutory percentage. Under § 11.48.210, a court awards whatever compensation it deems just and reasonable, weighing the time and effort involved, the size and complexity of the estate, and local standards.

Can a Washington personal representative bill separately as an attorney?

Yes — if they are a licensed attorney who performs actual legal work for the estate, § 11.48.210 allows that work to be compensated separately from the standard personal representative fee.

Can a Washington personal representative request payment before the estate closes?

Yes — the statute explicitly permits a personal representative or their attorney to apply to the court for an interim allowance at any point during administration, not only at the final account.

Can Washington courts deny an executor's fee entirely?

Yes — if the court finds the personal representative failed to discharge their duties, it may deny compensation entirely or reduce what would otherwise be allowed, as confirmed in Estate of Bobbitt (1991).

When does a Washington will's compensation amount control instead of the court?

When the will sets compensation, that amount is the full compensation unless the personal representative files a written renunciation with the court before formally qualifying for the role.

Estimate for general guidance only, not legal advice. Based on RCW 11.48.210. Washington sets no statutory percentage; illustrative figures come from secondary sources, not law. A will's own terms control unless renounced in writing before the personal representative qualifies. Verify with the probate court or a licensed Washington attorney.