How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in BC?

Short answer: BC's Trustee Act allows an executor up to 5% of the estate's gross aggregate value (capital and income) as compensation, plus a possible care and management fee (up to 0.4% of average assets per year). "Up to" is the operative phrase — the actual amount must be reasonable for the work done.

How it's set in practice:

• The will controls first: if it fixes compensation (or gifts you something in lieu of compensation), that generally governs.
• Beneficiary agreement: most commonly, the executor proposes an amount and the residual beneficiaries approve it in writing alongside the final accounting.
• Court (registrar) review: if beneficiaries don't agree, the court sets it — weighing the estate's size and complexity, time spent, skill required, and results.

The tax catch: executor compensation is taxable income to you (the estate may need to issue a T4). An inheritance is not. If you're both executor and a major beneficiary, taking the fee can be worse than declining it — do the math before claiming.

What to actually do:

1. Keep a time and task log from day one — it's your evidence for reasonableness.
2. Propose your fee transparently with the final accounting; get written approvals (releases).
3. If contested or unusual, get advice before paying yourself anything.

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Foxglove is a guide, not a law firm. General information, not legal advice; forms and rules change — confirm current requirements with the Supreme Court of BC, the official BC government forms page, or a qualified BC professional. Find vetted BC help →