How much should an Executor charge per hour to execute a will?

Question

This will is being done in the state of Vermont. I just received the final accounting and the executor (my sister) is charging $70.00 per hour and 45 cents per mile. She told me I'm getting a bargain she was told by a lawyer to charge $150.00 per hour. She charged 162 hours at $70.00 and 1,106 miles at $0.445/mile. Total $11,832.17

This estate was complicated because my mother died first and then my father 2 months later. I haven't received the final accounting for my fathers yet. She's going to charge for that one too. The miles are justified everything is so far away in Vermont.

Answer 1

It is actually unusual for a family member acting as an executor to charge by the hour. If the estate is sufficiently complicated to require thousands of $ of fees, an attorney should have been hired. I am willing to bet the attorney could do the same work in less than 40 hours with little or no mileage.

Answer 2

I have no idea what the normal hourly charge should be but unless your sister has some sort of professional skills, I think $70 an hour is out of line. A lawyer might charge $150 per hour but a lawyers normal pay rate is that or more.

Just how complicated was this estate? Are all those miles justified?

Answer 3

Outrageous. I hate it when siblings can't wait to cheat each other over their parents estate. If she has expenses like driving, parking, notary, fees, maybe even a couple of lunches at McDonald's. But she is ripping you off---$70 is for professional attorneys, not sisters. And come on 45 cents is business rate, not family matters. She is being arrogant. You should have the right to see her proof of the expenses she is occurring too.

Answer 4

sad case of buyer beware -- that is a little excessive -- you should have got the best lawyer in your little state to do it for less than that.. i would count the silver the next time she is over for a meal!!!