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Connecticut Executor Compensation Calculator

Connecticut publishes no fee table anywhere in Title 45a.

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What the Calculator Uses in ConnecticutThe method behind the estimate, and what it leaves out

Connecticut has no statutory compensation formula to apply, so this page presents the rule rather than a computed fee. Connecticut compensation is reasonable compensation approved by the Probate Court under Probate Court Rules of Procedure rules 39.1 and 39.2, measured on the nine-factor task statement. No dollar figure here is a court quote, and attorney fees, Probate Court fees under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-107, bond premiums and taxes are all separate.

The estimate is a starting point, not a guaranteed fee. Courts can still review the work performed, the estate documents, and whether the representative is seeking compensation for services beyond the ordinary baseline.

What affects the feeOrdinary rules, extraordinary services, and tax consequences

Ordinary Fee Rule

The estimate begins with the state-specific ordinary compensation method, not a one-size-fits-all national formula.

Extraordinary Services

Sales of real property, business management, litigation, tax work, and unusual court proceedings can justify additional compensation in some estates.

Tax Consequences

Executor compensation is usually treated differently from the inheritance itself, which is why many fiduciaries consider whether waiving the fee creates a better tax result.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an executor get paid in Connecticut?
There is no set amount and no statutory schedule. In Connecticut, a fiduciary is entitled to reasonable compensation, and the Probate Court decides what is reasonable. Rule 39.1 of the Probate Court Rules of Procedure lets the fiduciary move for approval of a proposed fee arrangement before the services are rendered, or of a proposed fee for services already rendered. Any fee that was not approved in advance is reviewed with the financial report or account covering the period in which it was paid, and the court must decide whether the fee is reasonable whether or not any interested party objects.
What does the Probate Court look at when it reviews a Connecticut fiduciary fee?
Rule 39.2(b) requires a task statement addressing nine factors: the size of the estate, the responsibilities involved, the character of the work required, any special problems and difficulties met in doing the work, the results achieved, the knowledge, skill and judgment required, the manner and promptness with which the matter was handled, the time and labor required, and any other relevant and material circumstances. The factors come from Hayward v. Plant, 98 Conn. 374, 384 (1923), which the rule cites by name.
Does a Connecticut executor need court approval before taking a fee?
Approval is required either way, and the timing is the fiduciary's choice. Asking the court to bless a fee arrangement before the work starts is the practical way to avoid an argument at the accounting stage, and rule 39.1(c) lets the court require a financial report or account first if it needs more information about the estate to judge reasonableness. A fee taken without prior approval is not final: it is reviewed when the account covering that period comes before the court.
Are there percentage fee tiers for a Connecticut executor?
No. Connecticut is not a percentage state, and no fee table exists in Title 45a. One set of fiduciary-fee percentages does appear in Connecticut law, in the Medicaid claim priority rule at Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17b-95(b)(3), but it is not a general compensation schedule. It caps how much of a fiduciary fee counts as an administrative expense ahead of the state's Medicaid claim against the estate, and it applies only where the state has such a claim. Treating it as the Connecticut executor fee schedule would overstate the rule badly.
Is executor compensation taxable in Connecticut?
Executor compensation is usually taxable income to the fiduciary, separate from an inheritance. Review the income-tax and estate-accounting effects before taking or waiving a fee, especially where the executor is also a beneficiary.
Can a Connecticut executor waive the fee?
Yes, and family members often do. A fiduciary who is also a beneficiary may prefer to take an inheritance, which is not taxable income, rather than a fee, which is. The Probate Court user guide notes that family members are often willing to serve for little or no compensation. Document the choice, because it affects the account, the income-tax picture, and what the other beneficiaries expect.
Are attorney fees separate from the executor fee in Connecticut?
Yes, and Connecticut sets no statutory attorney-fee schedule either. Rule 39.1 lets the fiduciary move for advance approval of a proposed fee arrangement for the estate's attorney, and rule 39.2(c) requires the attorney's task statement to include a copy of the engagement letter and to address nine factors of its own. Separately, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-294 requires the Probate Court to allow an executor the just and reasonable expenses of defending the will, whether or not the will is admitted to probate, and of supporting or defending it on appeal.
Official Sources and Further ReadingOfficial references used for this page

Information current as of May 31, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Connecticut can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.

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