Free California executor tool
California Executor Fee Calculator
Quick answer
California's ordinary-services compensation schedule uses the value of the estate accounted for by the personal representative, not simply the inheritance received by beneficiaries. It applies 4% to the first $100,000, 3% to the next $100,000, 2% to the next $800,000, 1% to the next $9 million, and 0.5% to the next $15 million; amounts above $25 million are a reasonable amount determined by the court. This calculator is a simplified informational estimate and does not determine legal entitlement.
Official source: Santa Barbara Superior Court, Estate of Soto (24PR00238), California Rules of Court, rule 7.705, California Rules of Court, rule 7.703, Placer Superior Court, Estate of Krueger (PDF p. 5), California Rules of Court, rule 7.706, California Rules of Court, rule 7.704
Last verified: 2026-10-11
Step 1
Estimate a published state schedule
The free result includes the estimate, tier breakdown, source, and caveats. No email is required.
Interpret the number
What amount should I enter for California?
Use the estimated value accounted for by the personal representative: the inventory appraisal value plus gains over appraisal value on sales plus receipts, less losses on sales, without reference to encumbrances or other obligations. This tool does not build an inventory or decide which estate items belong in that statutory value.
Official source: Santa Barbara Superior Court, Estate of Soto (24PR00238). Last verified: 2026-10-11.
Worked example
Worked example: $500,000
For a $500,000 amount, the published schedule produces the estimate shown below. The amount is illustrative and does not decide which assets or transactions belong in a state's legal calculation basis.
Example California amount
$500,000
Estimated California statutory compensation: $13,000
The result is an informational estimate, not a payment instruction or determination of legal entitlement.
Rate / formula
California compensation schedule
The table below follows the published California Probate Code § 10800 schedule. Each tier applies only to the amount within that tier.
| Schedule tier | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $100,000 | 4% |
| $100,000 to $200,000 | 3% |
| $200,000 to $1,000,000 | 2% |
| $1,000,000 to $10,000,000 | 1% |
| $10,000,000 to $25,000,000 | 0.5% |
| Above $25,000,000 | Court-determined |
Official source: Santa Barbara Superior Court, Estate of Soto (24PR00238). Last verified: 2026-10-11.
Know the boundary
What this calculator does not include
Extraordinary-service compensation, which a court may allow in addition to the ordinary-services schedule, is not estimated.
Official source: California Rules of Court, rule 7.703. Last verified: 2026-10-11.
This calculator does not supply a rate for the portion above $25,000,000, where the statute leaves a reasonable amount to the court.
Official source: Santa Barbara Superior Court, Estate of Soto (24PR00238). Last verified: 2026-10-11.
Will-specific compensation, an executor's decision to waive compensation, and apportionment among multiple personal representatives are not evaluated from case documents.
Official source: Placer Superior Court, Estate of Krueger (PDF p. 5), California Rules of Court, rule 7.704. Last verified: 2026-10-11.
Separate legal-services compensation for an attorney personal representative is outside this calculator.
Official source: California Rules of Court, rule 7.706. Last verified: 2026-10-11.
Common questions
California executor compensation FAQs
How much does an executor get paid in California?
For ordinary services, California Probate Code § 10800 provides a tiered compensation schedule based on the value of the estate accounted for by the personal representative. The result can change when extraordinary services, will provisions, court determinations, or multiple representatives are involved, so this page provides only a simplified estimate.
Official source: Santa Barbara Superior Court, Estate of Soto (24PR00238), California Rules of Court, rule 7.703. Last verified: 2026-10-11.
What amount is used to calculate California executor compensation?
The statutory basis is the estate value accounted for by the personal representative, using the inventory appraisal value plus gains and receipts less losses described in Probate Code § 10800(b). It is not simply the net inheritance received by beneficiaries.
Official source: Santa Barbara Superior Court, Estate of Soto (24PR00238). Last verified: 2026-10-11.
Turn the estimate into an action
Organize the next California executor step
Use the free state checklist to keep the practical administration work visible, then review the workspace pricing when you are ready for a future purchase.
Workspace purchases are currently unavailable; the state checklist is free. One-time $19.90 per estate when available.