executor/trix fee

[L. Johnston]

From PA.
My Mother recently passed away after being in a nursing home for over 6 yrs. The little money she had was put in my and my sisters name three years before Mother went into the facility. I was her sole outside caretaker, making daily visits, taking her to the doctor, doing her laundry, doing her hair, just generally being there for her. When she passed, my sister said that since I took care of Mom,(Sis lives out of state) I should take an executrix percentage out of the money. I have no idea what this percentage would be. Can you help me with the going rate????? Thank You

 

[advisor10]

MAY 22, 2001

DEAR L JOHNSTON:

The first question that needs to be asked is "Did your mother have a will, and what is the value of her estate?" If so, then you can only collect an executrix fee if you perform the duties of an executrix (filing the will at the courthouse, paying her bills, claiming her assets, paying funeral bill, etc.). In Pennsylvania, that fee is legally listed not as a percentage (which would normally range anywhere from 2% to 5%), but only as "reasonable compensation". You would need to contact a local probate attorney to ask them for clarification as to exactly how that is computed.

If you merely want compensation for the services you performed as a caretaker, then that is a separate matter from being an executrix. Contact a local home health care agency to get an idea of what the present hourly rate is for those type of services.

SINCERELY,

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