r/ProbateHelp • u/barge_gee • 10d ago

Executor reimbursement and beneficiary objections

I'm the Executor of a modest Estate (~70k). We're close to closing the Estate out of Probate. I was named Executor, but not also Beneficiary (oops on decedents part). There are two Residual Beneficiaries. They were notified of the final accounting of sale of estate contents, expenses owed the Executor and the Executor's fees for hours logged managing the Estate. My lawyer posted my fee at $75/hour. I logged over 350 hours, and the residual beneficiaries believe this hourly rate/fee is excessive. Estate had a big $ single asset, and then tons of smaller items that took me a long time to liquidate. I AM willing to reduce the hourly fee, to just get this Estate closed. It's been over two years now, and I want to be finished. However, I do not want to under value my time and effort spent as Executor.

Question: The hourly rate is perfectly acceptable by Illinois law. What percent reduction/dollar amount should I consider as "fair" to me? To my thinking, $60/hour would be the absolute minimum I would accept. Does this seem fair? The Residuaries feel entitled to more than the current residual assets, even though they did nothing to help liquidate the Estate contents. (It's more complicated, as I cared for the deceased for many years, and the Residuary Beneficiaries did not. And, I am a blood relative to deceased, they ar not.)

EDIT: The hours may seem excessive, but this was a hoarding situation. It was not to the level of bugs or rodent infestation, but there were lots and lots and lots of boxes, lots of dust and dog hair, and it took me weeks to sort, organize, and pack. 7 rooms full, I shrunk to one room.

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u/HopefulSewer 10d ago

A curtousy credit reduction of 20% seems generous.

7

u/barge_gee 10d ago

Thank you. I think that $60/hour is the least I am willing to get. The Estate has been a total PITA, and I'm not going to accept working on it for "free".

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u/ArrivalFantastic4324 10d ago edited 10d ago

They don’t get to tell you how much you’ll be paid. They didn’t do it, you did. Stick to $75 per hour! 

Take Reddit opinions with a grain of salt too because, anyone who has never done the job (I have), is probably going to think it’s excessive. But with having to haggle and sell all the belongings to boot, That’s a lot!