The short version: under BC's Trustee Act, an executor can be compensated up to a maximum of 5% of the gross value of the estate, though the actual amount awarded depends on the complexity of the work involved — it is not automatic, and it is separate from reimbursement for legitimate expenses like real estate commission.
How much can an executor actually charge?
The Trustee Act sets a ceiling, not a guarantee — up to 5% of the gross aggregate value of the estate. In practice, fees often land in the 3–5% range for typical estates, and can be lower (sometimes around 1.5%) for smaller or more straightforward estates. Courts and beneficiaries can push back on a fee that doesn't reflect the actual time, complexity, and skill the role required. On top of the base fee, an executor managing assets over an extended period can also charge up to a 0.4% annual care-and-management fee.
What factors affect the amount
- The overall size and complexity of the estate
- How much time the executor actually spent administering it
- The skill and responsibility required — a straightforward single-asset estate looks very different from one with a contested will, multiple properties, or business interests
- The outcome achieved for the estate and its beneficiaries
Compensation vs. reimbursement — an important distinction
Executor compensation is payment for the work of administering the estate. It is separate from reimbursement for legitimate out-of-pocket expenses incurred on the estate's behalf — travel, postage, and importantly, real estate commission on the sale of an estate property is a cost of the sale itself, not part of the executor's personal compensation. These should be tracked and documented separately in the estate's accounting.
Where real estate commission fits in
Selling an estate home involves the same commission structure as any real estate transaction — it's a legitimate expense of the estate, paid out of sale proceeds before distribution to beneficiaries, the same way it would be for any seller. Mark Jontz is transparent about commission structure from the first conversation, so there are no surprises when the estate's final accounting gets prepared.
This page provides general information only and is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Please consult a lawyer, notary, or accountant about your specific situation.