When two people are named as co-executors of an estate, figuring out how much they can get paid can raise a lot of questions.
Does the estate pay one fee and split it between them?
Do they each get paid separately?
And how much can that amount actually be?
Florida has specific rules for personal representative compensation, so you don’t have to rely on a vague “reasonable fee” estimate.
In this guide, we’ll break down Florida’s co-executor fees, show you real dollar examples, and explain how the payment can change for larger or more complicated estates.
How Much Do Co-Executors Get Paid?
Co-executors typically share a single executor fee rather than each receiving a full, separate commission.
Total executor compensation is generally determined by the terms outlined in the will, state statutory fee schedules (which often range from 1% to 6% of the gross probate estate on a sliding scale), or a probate court’s determination of reasonable compensation.
But in Florida, things are different.
If the estate has a compensable value of $100,000 or more and there are exactly two personal representatives, each co-executor is entitled to the full commission that a single personal representative would receive.
They don’t split one commission 50/50.
Co-executor fees are usually based on the value of the estate. For ordinary services, the statutory rate starts at 3% of the first $1 million of the estate’s compensable value.
For larger estates, the percentage goes down:
- 3% of the first $1 million
- 2.5% of the amount from $1 million to $5 million
- 2% of the amount from $5 million to $10 million
- 1.5% of amounts above $10 million
These rates apply to ordinary personal representative services.
Co-executors may also receive additional compensation for certain extraordinary services, such as selling property, handling estate litigation, or dealing with complicated tax matters.
Example
Imagine a Florida estate has a compensable value of $800,000 and two people are serving as co-executors.
The statutory commission is 3% of $800,000, which comes to $24,000.
Because the estate is worth at least $100,000 and there are exactly two personal representatives, Florida law says each personal representative is entitled to the full commission allowed to a sole personal representative.
That means the potential compensation would be:
Co-executor #1: $24,000
Co-executor #2: $24,000
Total: $48,000
This is very different from simply taking the $24,000 and splitting it into two $12,000 payments.
Now consider a $6 million estate.
The statutory commission for one personal representative would be:
$30,000 for the first $1 million, plus $100,000 for the next $4 million at 2.5%, plus $20,000 for the next $1 million at 2%.
That comes to $150,000.
With two qualifying co-personal representatives, each could be entitled to the $150,000 commission, meaning the combined ordinary-service compensation could reach $300,000.
That’s why the number of personal representatives can make a major difference in the total compensation paid from a Florida estate.
Also Read: Who Can Be Executor If You Have No Family?
What Expenses Can Co-Executors Get Reimbursed For?
Executor compensation isn’t the same thing as reimbursement for estate expenses.
A co-executor may have to spend money while handling the estate. That could include:
- Necessary travel
- Postage
- Filing costs
- Property expenses
- Appraisals
- Storage
- Other legitimate costs connected to administering the estate
Those expenses shouldn’t simply be treated as part of the executor’s commission.
Florida law also allows a personal representative to hire professionals and others to help administer the estate.
The fees paid to people associated with or employed by the personal representative can be considered when determining the personal representative’s compensation.
Keeping receipts and records is a smart move. If someone later questions an expense, having documentation makes the explanation much easier.
Does The Will Determine Co-Executor Fees?
Yes, a will can establish specific criteria for personal representative compensation.
If the will contains a specific compensation provision, that provision can affect how the personal representative is paid.
Also Read: When Does An Irrevocable Trust End?
A personal representative can also renounce the compensation provisions in the will and instead seek compensation under the statutory rules in certain circumstances.
So don’t look only at the statutory percentage. The will needs to be reviewed too.
If the will doesn’t establish a different compensation arrangement, the statutory schedule provides a useful starting point for calculating ordinary compensation.
Can Beneficiaries Challenge Co-Executor Fees?
Yes. The statutory percentages are presumed to be reasonable, but they’re not completely untouchable.
An interested person can petition the court to increase or decrease compensation for ordinary services, or to address compensation for extraordinary services.
The court can consider things such as:
- How efficiently the estate was handled
- The responsibilities assumed by the personal representative
- The nature and value of the assets
- The complexity of the administration
- Tax work
- The benefits provided to the estate
Also Read: Does Executor Get Paid Before Beneficiaries?
State law also allows the court to review the reasonableness of compensation paid to personal representatives and others employed by the estate. If someone is found to have received excessive compensation, the court can order an appropriate refund.
So while Florida gives you concrete statutory numbers, that doesn’t mean a personal representative can ignore the circumstances of the estate.
Bottom Line
Co executors fees start from 3% for the first $1 million of the estate’s compensable value, with lower percentages applying to larger estates.
If there are exactly two co-executors and the estate is worth at least $100,000, each can generally receive the full commission allowed to one personal representative, rather than splitting one fee between them.
That means a $500,000 estate could result in $15,000 for each co-executor, while a $1 million estate could mean $30,000 each.