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Rhode Island Executor Compensation Calculator

Rhode Island publishes no fee table anywhere in Title 33.

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

Rhode Island has no statutory compensation formula to apply, so this page presents the rule rather than a computed fee. Rhode Island compensation is whatever the probate court considers just under R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-14-8, decided when the account is allowed and requested on form PC-7.4. No dollar figure here is a court quote, and the R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-21 probate court fee, attorney fees, bond premiums, newspaper advertising and taxes are all separate charges.

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 Rhode Island?
There is no set amount and no statutory schedule. R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-14-8 allows an executor or administrator such compensation for their services as the probate court shall consider just, and the probate court of the city or town where the estate is being settled decides what that is. The fiduciary asks for approval on form PC-7.4, Application for Approval of Fiduciary's and Attorney's Fees, which covers the fiduciary fee and the estate attorney's fee together.
When is the fee decided in Rhode Island?
At the end, not at the start. R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-14-8 has the compensation "allowed in their accounts", so the court rules on it when the account comes up for allowance under R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-14-1. An executor who wants certainty earlier can put the proposed fee in front of the court on form PC-7.4 before the work is finished, but nothing in Title 33 fixes the number in advance.
Are there percentage fee tiers for a Rhode Island executor?
No. Rhode Island is not a percentage state, and no fee table exists in Title 33. The only percentage anywhere near a Rhode Island estate is the court's own petition fee under R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-21, which is charged on the decedent's personal property and paid to the court. That is a filing charge, not compensation, and quoting it as an executor fee would be wrong.
Does a small-estate voluntary administrator get paid in Rhode Island?
No. R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-24-1(e) has the voluntary administrator discharge the funeral and last-sickness expenses and the necessary expenses of administration "without fee for his or her services", then pay the remaining debts in the R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-12-11 order and distribute the balance. Settling a qualifying small estate on the voluntary route therefore carries no fiduciary compensation at all, which is worth weighing against the extra authority a full administration gives.
Is executor compensation taxable in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island 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. Document the choice, because it affects the account the probate court reviews, the income-tax picture, and what the other beneficiaries expect.
Are attorney fees separate from the executor fee in Rhode Island?
Yes, and Rhode Island sets no statutory attorney-fee schedule either. The estate attorney's fee is agreed with the fiduciary and presented for approval with the account on the same form PC-7.4, and it is paid out of the estate as an expense of administration, deducted before the R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-12-11 order of preference is applied to creditors. In a contested matter, or on appeal, R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-26 lets the court award costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to either party to be paid by the other or out of the estate, as justice requires, and R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-27 lets the probate court issue execution for that award.
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 Rhode Island can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.

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