Ny Executor Fee Calculator

NY Executor Fee Calculator

Based on New York SCPA § 2307 Statutory Rates

Include cash, stocks, and real estate sold by the executor. Exclude joint property or life insurance with beneficiaries.

Estimated Commission Breakdown

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Total Estimated Fee:

function calculateNYFee() { var estateValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById('estateValue').value); var resultArea = document.getElementById('resultArea'); var breakdownDetails = document.getElementById('breakdownDetails'); var totalFeeDisplay = document.getElementById('totalFeeDisplay'); if (isNaN(estateValue) || estateValue < 0) { alert("Please enter a valid estate value."); return; } var totalFee = 0; var breakdownHtml = "

"; // Tier 1: 5% on the first $100,000 var tier1Base = Math.min(estateValue, 100000); var tier1Fee = tier1Base * 0.05; totalFee += tier1Fee; breakdownHtml += "
• 5% on first $100,000: $" + tier1Fee.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + "
"; // Tier 2: 4% on the next $200,000 ($100k to $300k) if (estateValue > 100000) { var tier2Base = Math.min(estateValue – 100000, 200000); var tier2Fee = tier2Base * 0.04; totalFee += tier2Fee; breakdownHtml += "
• 4% on next $200,000: $" + tier2Fee.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + "
"; } // Tier 3: 3% on the next $700,000 ($300k to $1M) if (estateValue > 300000) { var tier3Base = Math.min(estateValue – 300000, 700000); var tier3Fee = tier3Base * 0.03; totalFee += tier3Fee; breakdownHtml += "
• 3% on next $700,000: $" + tier3Fee.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + "
"; } // Tier 4: 2.5% on the next $4,000,000 ($1M to $5M) if (estateValue > 1000000) { var tier4Base = Math.min(estateValue – 1000000, 4000000); var tier4Fee = tier4Base * 0.025; totalFee += tier4Fee; breakdownHtml += "
• 2.5% on next $4,000,000: $" + tier4Fee.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + "
"; } // Tier 5: 2% on all sums above $5,000,000 if (estateValue > 5000000) { var tier5Base = estateValue – 5000000; var tier5Fee = tier5Base * 0.02; totalFee += tier5Fee; breakdownHtml += "
• 2% on remaining balance above $5M: $" + tier5Fee.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + "
"; } breakdownHtml += "

"; breakdownDetails.innerHTML = breakdownHtml; totalFeeDisplay.innerHTML = "$" + totalFee.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); resultArea.style.display = 'block'; }

Understanding NY Executor Commissions

In New York State, the compensation for an executor is governed by the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act (SCPA) § 2307. Unlike some states where fees are based on "reasonableness," New York uses a strict mandatory sliding scale based on the value of the probate estate.

The SCPA 2307 Fee Schedule

The statutory rates are applied cumulatively as follows:

• 5% on the first $100,000
• 4% on the next $200,000
• 3% on the next $700,000
• 2.5% on the next $4,000,000
• 2% on all amounts exceeding $5,000,000

What Assets Are Included?

It is crucial to distinguish between probate assets and non-probate assets. The executor's commission is generally only calculated on assets that pass through the executor's hands.

• Included: Bank accounts in the decedent's name alone, stocks/bonds, personal property (jewelry, cars), and real estate if and only if the executor is required to sell the property.
• Excluded: Property held in "Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship," accounts with "Transfer on Death" (TOD) or "Payable on Death" (POD) designations, Life Insurance paid directly to a beneficiary, and Retirement accounts with named beneficiaries.

Practical Example

Suppose an estate in New York consists of a bank account worth $50,000 and a home worth $450,000 that the executor must sell to pay debts. The total probate value is $500,000.

1. 5% of the first $100,000 = $5,000
2. 4% of the next $200,000 = $8,000
3. 3% of the remaining $200,000 = $6,000
4. Total Commission: $19,000

Co-Executors and Multiple Commissions

If the estate is valued at less than $100,000, one full commission is shared among the executors. If the estate is between $100,000 and $300,000, up to two full commissions may be paid (shared if there are more than two). For estates above $300,000, up to three full commissions may be paid if there are three or more executors.

Note: Executor commissions are considered taxable income and must be reported on the executor's personal income tax return. Many family members choose to waive the fee to avoid this tax burden, especially if they are also primary beneficiaries.