Should I pay my executors?

Yes—you can leave a payment for your executors in your will to thank them for their work and cover their time, though it’s not legally required in England and Wales.

Why it matters

Being an executor means organising probate, valuing assets, paying debts, filing tax returns and distributing gifts. That can take many hours over several months. A clear payment:

• Shows you value their time and effort
• Covers any minor costs they incur
• Reduces the chance of family disputes if one executor feels left out

How executor payments work

No legal minimum or maximum

There is no law setting a standard fee. Executors can be unpaid volunteers—often close family—or professionals who charge a fee.

Common payment methods

• Flat fee: A fixed sum, such as £500 or £1,000, named in your will (“I give my executors £750 each from my residuary estate”).
• Percentage of the estate: Often 1–2% of the total value (“I give my executors 1% of my net estate to be divided equally”).
• Hourly rate: Less common but clear if your estate is complex (“I direct that my executors be paid at a reasonable hourly rate”).

Expense reimbursement

Executors can also claim back any out-of-pocket costs—for example, postage, photocopying, travel or hiring professionals. Your will can say, “I authorise my executors to reimburse themselves for all reasonable expenses incurred.”

Common mistakes

• Vague wording: Saying “a fair fee” without details can cause disagreement.
• Over-generous amounts: Leaving too large a fee may reduce what beneficiaries receive and spark challenges.
• No mention of expenses: Executors may feel out of pocket if they can’t reclaim postage or travel costs.
• Ignoring tax: Payments from your estate may be subject to Inheritance Tax, so check how it affects the total value.

Next steps

1. Try our Estate Planning Health Check to see whether executor payments make sense for your estate and beneficiaries.
2. Draft your will in our paid online service—it guides you step by step through wording a clear fee and expense clause.
3. Once you receive your will, sign it with the two required witnesses and store it safely.

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