Utah Real Estate Sale: Costs & Commission Explained

No one has to fight for a reasonable fee here — if nobody objects, the number requested simply stands.

Utah Code §75-3-718

Quick answer: the ordinary 5-6% realtor commission applies as usual, plus a reasonable personal representative fee with no fixed percentage — and no built-in review unless someone actually objects. See how this plays out for your own numbers in the Utah probate real estate sale calculator.

Reasonable, and presumed reasonable if unchallenged

Genuinely distinctive: Utah Code §75-3-718 entitles the personal representative and the estate attorney to reasonable compensation — and if no interested person objects, the requested fee is simply treated as reasonable, with no automatic court review required at all.

A challenge triggers the court's own test

If someone does object, the court evaluates the fee based on the quality, quantity, value, and circumstances of the services actually performed — not a fixed percentage of the estate's value, but a genuine look at the work involved.

An illustrative reference point, not a rule

Practitioners sometimes cite a $1,000,000 estate yielding roughly $25,000 in personal representative compensation — about 2.5% — as a rough sense of scale, though this is drawn from practice rather than any statutory formula, and actual fees vary with the estate's real complexity.

No attorney required for informal probate

Utah doesn't require an attorney for informal probate, and many self-represented personal representatives handle simple estates with help from the Utah Courts self-help center — though formal or contested probate generally does call for counsel.

Facing probate in Utah?

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

Talk to an Utah attorney

The §75-3-718 reasonableness standard applies the same way whether the estate is administered in Salt Lake, Utah, or any other Utah county.

Sale costs and commission — frequently asked questions

Is there a fixed percentage for a Utah personal representative's fee?

No — Utah Code §75-3-718 requires only that compensation be reasonable, with no statutory percentage schedule for either the personal representative or the estate's attorney.

What happens if no one objects to the requested fee?

It's simply treated as reasonable — Utah's framework builds in a presumption that the requested fee stands unless an interested person actually challenges it.

What does the court weigh if the fee is challenged?

The quality, quantity, value, and circumstances of the services actually performed, rather than a fixed percentage of the estate's value.

Roughly what does a $1,000,000 Utah estate pay in practice?

Often cited around $25,000 as an illustrative reference point — roughly 2.5% — though this is a rough guideline from practice, not a statutory rate, and actual fees vary with the work involved.

This page provides general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Based on Utah Code §75-3-718 and typical District Court practice. Confirm current figures with a licensed Utah attorney or real estate professional before acting.