Maryland · Maximum allowed
Maryland executor fee calculator
Maryland caps personal representative commissions at 9% of the first $20,000 of probate property plus 3.6% of everything above $20,000, unless the will provides more (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-601).
Last updated
Maximum allowed
$0
Enter the estate values to see the fee.
Source: Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-601; Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-604. This doesn't include extra pay for extraordinary work, or anything a will or written agreement sets instead.
General information, not legal advice. Statutes change, and courts apply them to the facts of each estate. Check with the probate court or a probate attorney before you rely on a figure or a date.
Maryland executor fee rates
| Part of the estate | Rate |
|---|---|
| First $20,000 | 9% |
| Above $20,000 | 3.6% |
Source: Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-601; Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-604.
What the fee is based on
The property subject to administration (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-601(b)).
Worked example
- Property subject to administration: $400,000
| 9% of the first $20,000 | $1,800 |
| 3.6% of the amount above $20,000 | $13,680 |
| Total | $15,480 |
What can change the amount
- The court can allow whatever it finds appropriate up to this cap, after a petition that explains the work in reasonable detail (§ 7-601(b)).
- To pay commissions and attorney's fees without court approval, you need written consent from creditors with open claims and from all interested persons, and the combined total has to stay within this cap (§ 7-604).
Common questions
How much does an executor get paid in Maryland?
Maryland caps personal representative commissions at 9% of the first $20,000 of probate property plus 3.6% of everything above $20,000, unless the will provides more (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-601).
What is the executor fee on $400,000 in Maryland?
The Maryland formula gives $15,480 for the usual executor duties (maximum allowed). Extra work, a clause in the will or a court order can change it.
Which assets count toward the executor fee in Maryland?
The property subject to administration (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-601(b)).
Can a Maryland executor get more or less than the formula?
The court can allow whatever it finds appropriate up to this cap, after a petition that explains the work in reasonable detail (§ 7-601(b)).
What else changes executor pay in Maryland?
To pay commissions and attorney's fees without court approval, you need written consent from creditors with open claims and from all interested persons, and the combined total has to stay within this cap (§ 7-604).
More for Maryland
- Maryland small estate checker→
Check the estate's value against the state's limit.
- Maryland probate forms→
47 court forms, by county.
- Maryland probate guide→
How probate works there, how long it takes, and when you can skip it.
- Maryland probate courts→
Phone numbers, addresses, fees and forms for each county court.
Sources
- Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-601 — Maryland General Assembly
- Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-604 — Maryland General Assembly
We last checked the statute text against the official publishers in August 2026.