North Carolina · Maximum allowed
North Carolina executor fee calculator
In North Carolina, the clerk of superior court sets personal representative commissions at no more than 5% of receipts (including personal property when it's received) and expenditures made as the law allows (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-23-3).
Last updated
Maximum allowed
$0
Enter the estate values to see the fee.
Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-23-3. 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.
North Carolina executor fee rates
| Part of the estate | Rate |
|---|---|
| Receipts | Up to 5% |
| Expenditures | Up to 5% |
Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-23-3.
What the fee is based on
Receipts, including the value of personal property when received, and expenditures made in accordance with law; no commission on distributing heirs' or devisees' shares (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-23-3(a), (d)).
Worked example
- Receipts, including personal property when received: $300,000
- Expenditures made in accordance with law: $50,000
| 5% of receipts | $15,000 |
| 5% of expenditures | $2,500 |
| Total | $17,500 |
What can change the amount
- The clerk looks at the time, responsibility, trouble and skill involved, and can take into account professional fees the estate paid (§ 28A-23-3(a)–(b)).
- If the will sets an amount or a method, the will controls (§ 28A-23-3(g)).
Common questions
How much does an executor get paid in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the clerk of superior court sets personal representative commissions at no more than 5% of receipts (including personal property when it's received) and expenditures made as the law allows (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-23-3).
What is the executor fee on the example estate in North Carolina?
The North Carolina formula gives $17,500 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 North Carolina?
Receipts, including the value of personal property when received, and expenditures made in accordance with law; no commission on distributing heirs' or devisees' shares (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-23-3(a), (d)).
Can a North Carolina executor get more or less than the formula?
The clerk looks at the time, responsibility, trouble and skill involved, and can take into account professional fees the estate paid (§ 28A-23-3(a)–(b)).
What else changes executor pay in North Carolina?
If the will sets an amount or a method, the will controls (§ 28A-23-3(g)).
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- North Carolina probate guide→
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- North Carolina probate courts→
Phone numbers, addresses, fees and forms for each county court.
Sources
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-23-3 — North Carolina General Assembly
We last checked the statute text against the official publishers in August 2026.