BC Executor Fee Calculator (2026)
Estimate what an executor can claim for administering an estate in British Columbia. It shows the legal maximum under section 88 of the Trustee Act and a realistic range for the amount of work involved.
Estimate the executor's fee
Use the value of everything the executor administers, before debts.
Interest, dividends and rent the estate earned after death.
Note: This is an estimate for educational purposes. The work bands below are our rough guide to how BC courts weigh these factors, not a fee table. Courts decide each case on its own facts.
Breakdown
How executor fees work in BC
An executor (the law calls them a personal representative) is entitled to be paid for administering an estate. Section 88 of BC's Trustee Act allows a "fair and reasonable" fee of up to 5% of the gross value of the estate, counting both the assets at death (capital) and any income the estate earns while it is open.
Five percent is a ceiling, not an entitlement. BC courts have said that the maximum is not awarded as a matter of routine. The fee has to bear a reasonable relationship to the work and responsibility involved.
| Part of the fee | Limit |
|---|---|
| Estate value (capital) | Up to 5% |
| Income earned during administration | Up to 5% |
| Care and management fee (long-running estates and trusts) | Up to 0.4% a year of average market value, with court approval |
What moves the fee up or down
When a fee is disputed, BC courts weigh five factors:
- Size of the estate: the value at stake
- Care and responsibility: how much risk and judgment the job involved
- Time: the hours and months the executor actually spent
- Skill and ability: how competently the work was done
- Result: whether the estate was settled well, without losses or needless cost
For example, in Borkovic v. Borkovic, 2023 BCSC 2050, an estate of about $1.8 million, the court allowed 3% of the capital, 2.5% of the income and a 0.2% care and management fee.
When the will sets the fee
If the will states what the executor is paid, that amount applies instead of section 88 (Trustee Act, section 90). Trust companies usually insist on this: their fee schedule is written into the will or agreed before they accept the role.
How an executor gets paid
- Keep a record of the time spent and everything done.
- Prepare the estate accounts: what came in, what was paid out, and what is left.
- Send the accounts and the proposed fee to the beneficiaries and ask for their written approval.
- If a beneficiary objects, apply to the BC Supreme Court to pass the accounts. The court then sets the fee.
Out-of-pocket expenses, like travel, postage and filing fees, are reimbursed separately and are not part of the fee.
Other BC estate calculators
Frequently asked questions
How much does an executor get paid in BC?
Up to 5% of the gross value of the estate, including capital and income, under section 88 of the Trustee Act. The actual fee depends on the work involved. The maximum is not automatic.
Are executor fees taxable in BC?
Yes. The fee is taxable income for the executor. An inheritance is not, which is why some family executors decline a fee.
Can a will set the executor's fee?
Yes. If the will sets the compensation, that amount applies instead of the section 88 rules.
Can an executor pay themselves from the estate?
Only with approval from the beneficiaries or the court. Paying yourself without it can lead to a claim against you.
Being named executor? Start with Executor Duties in BC and The BC Probate Process Explained Step by Step.