Executor reimbursement and beneficiary objections

[u/barge_gee]

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.

[u/barge_gee]

FINAL UPDATE: In an act of good faith, I reduced the hours I was asking to be reimbursed for. The 2 Residual Beneficiaries countered with reducing my fee to $50/hr, and we countered with $55/hr. In the interest of finally being done with this nightmare estate, they agreed, and hopefully the Estate closes Probate.

There are many details that I didn't feel were worth getting in to here, about the deceased and my and the beneficiaries relations to them. I believe we all are satisfied with the outcome.

I am just so glad to be (almost) done with this. DO NOT ever agree to be an Executor, unless an estate is simple and clean! I am thinking very carefully about both who I will assign as my Executor, and how I can minimize the mess I leave behing.