Commissioners of Accounts Arlington & City of Falls Church (2024)

Virginia Code § 64.2-1208 allows “reasonable compensation” to a fiduciary for services rendered in the Estate. While there is no specific definition of “reasonable compensation”, the Commissioner, in the absence of unusual circ*mstances, will typically allow a fee based upon the following:

1. Income: 5% of income receipts (not including capital gains) realized during each accounting period.

2. Principal: A fee based upon the inventory value, including amended inventories, of the decedent’s probate assets in accordance with the following schedule:

• First $400,000.00.........................5%
• Next $300,000.00.........................4%
• Next $300,000.00.........................3%
• Balance over $1,000,000.00.........2%
• Balance over $10,000,000.00.......By agreement with the Commissioner

(prior consultation is required).

Fiduciary compensation may be forfeited if a proper Account is not timely filed (§ 64.2-1217).

**The Commissioner has the ultimate responsibility to determine the reasonableness of any fiduciary compensation.**

General Rules:

1. If the Will clearly sets out compensation in a specific dollar amount or a specific percentage that the fiduciary is to receive, the Will controls, and the fiduciary is entitled to the amount set out.

• However, if the Will sets out hourly compensation of any type, the reasonableness of the hours, activities, and total fee will be reviewed by the Commissioner.

2. If the Will states that, for their services, the fiduciary shall receive the compensation set out in a referenced published fee schedule in effect at the time such services are rendered, fees as set out in the fee schedule shall be presumed to be reasonable, as that term is used in § 64.2-1208.

• An objecting party has the burden of persuading the Commissioner that fiduciary compensation taken according to such a fee schedule is not reasonable.
• The Commissioner has the ultimate responsibility to determine the reasonableness of fiduciary compensation.

3. If the Will is silent as to the fiduciary’s compensation, the guidelines set out herein apply.

• The Commissioner shall honor the agreement where all parties affected by the amount of compensation are:

i. Competent to contract,

ii. Understand the issues involved (i.e., can give “informed consent”) and,

iii. Agree in writing as to the amount of the compensation to be paid

3. The value of real estate will be included as property in the decedent’s probate Estate for compensation purposes only if the Executor is given the power to sell real estate and

• is instructed to sell real estate in the will, or
• is requested to sell real estate by all affected beneficiaries or devisees, or
• is required to sell real estate to pay taxes and other charges against the estate, or the Commissioner determines that such sale is clearly in the best interest of the devisees or beneficiaries as a whole.

4. If the fiduciary employs an attorney or accountant to perform duties that are statutory duties of the fiduciary, the professional fees of those persons must be deducted from the compensation due the fiduciary.

• Note that this does not apply to reasonable fees paid to attorneys or accountants for tax work or litigation or other legal services reasonably necessary for the orderly administration of the estate. The reasonable expense of such services will be allowed in addition to the fiduciary fee.

5. If the fiduciary employs an investment advisor, the advisor’s fees, if reasonable, generally should not be deducted from the fiduciary’s compensation.

6. As a general rule, an Executor or Administrator is not allowed compensation based on the value of non-probate assets. The Commissioner may allow such compensation in circ*mstances where it is necessary for the Executor or Administrator to assume some responsibility for the asset. The Executor or Administrator is advised to make separate compensation arrangements with the beneficial owners of non-probate assets.

7. The fiduciary does not have to wait to take compensation until the Estate is closed; however, the timing of payment should bear some relationship to the expected life of the Estate, the work already done, and the work remaining to be done.

8. If there are co-fiduciaries, generally, one fee will be divided equally among them. The co-fiduciaries may agree among themselves on a different division. If there is a dispute concerning the division of the fee, the Commissioner may hold a hearing to resolve the dispute.

9. If there are successor fiduciaries, the compensation shall be pro-rated between them, provided that the Commissioner may determine the amount to be allowed based on all factors concerning the Estate. More than one full compensation fee may rarely be allowed, if the Commissioner determines this to be appropriate.

10. The Commissioner may increase or decrease the otherwise allowable compensation in exceptional circ*mstances. Factors to be considered in determining the compensation include the nature of the assets, the character of the work, the difficulties encountered, the time and expertise required, the responsibilities assumed, the risks incurred, and the results obtained.

If the fiduciary has any questions about the allowable compensation after examining these guidelines, the fiduciary should consult with the Commissioner before taking any fee.

*Nothing in these guidelines is intended to alter any statute concerning fiduciary compensation.

Virginia Code § 64.2-1208 allows a “reasonable compensation” to a fiduciary for services rendered in the administration of an estate. While there is no specific definition of “reasonable compensation”, the Commissioner, in the absence of unusual circ*mstances, will typically allow a fee based upon the following:

1. Total Assets at Beginning of Accounting Period: A fiduciary may take compensation on an annual basis, based on the fair market value of the estate assets (i.e., principal and undistributed income) at the beginning of the accounting period. The percentages below should be applied annually to the beginning fair market value of the account; for the initial account, the beginning fair market value is the principal amount shown on the inventory:

First $500,000.00..................................1%................(.01)

Next $500,000.00.........................¾ of 1%................(.0075)

Balance over $1,000,000.00........½ of 1%............... (.0050)

Balance over $10,000,000.00 .............By agreement with the Commissioner

(prior consultation is required).

2. Income: An additional fee of five percent (5%) should be allowed on non-investment income received during the account period (for example, periodic retirement payments). No compensation is to be calculated on investment income received during the year.

Fiduciary compensation may be forfeited if a proper account is not timely filed (§ 64.2-1217).

**The Commissioner has the ultimate responsibility to determine the reasonableness of any fiduciary compensation.**

General Rules:

1. If the Court Order clearly sets out compensation in a specific dollar amount or a specific percentage that the fiduciary is to receive, the court order controls, and the fiduciary is entitled to the amount set out.

• If the Order, however, sets out hourly fees of any type, the reasonableness of the hours, activities, and total fee will be reviewed by the Commissioner.

2. If the Court Order states that, for their services, the fiduciary shall receive the compensation set out in a referenced published fee schedule in effect at the time such services are rendered, fees as set out in the fee schedule shall be presumed to be reasonable, as that term is used in § 64.2-1208.

• An objecting party has the burden of persuading the Commissioner that fiduciary compensation taken according to such a fee schedule is not reasonable.
• The Commissioner has the ultimate responsibility to determine the reasonableness of fiduciary compensation.

3. If the Court Order is silent as to the fiduciary’s compensation, the guidelines set out herein apply:

• Compensation should be pro-rated when the required accounting is for a period of less than one full year (see § 64.2-1305).
• In situations where the ward or incapacitated person dies within a short time after the qualification, the Commissioner may consider additional compensation, understanding that much of the fiduciary’s work occurs at the beginning of the Estate.

4. If the fiduciary employs an attorney or accountant to perform duties that statutorily must be performed by the fiduciary, the professional fees of those persons must be deducted from the compensation due the fiduciary.

• Note that this does not apply to reasonable fees paid to attorneys or accountants for tax work or litigation or other legal services reasonably necessary for the orderly administration of the estate. The reasonable expense of such services will be allowed in addition to the fiduciary fee.

5. If the fiduciary employs an investment advisor, the advisor’s fees, if reasonable, generally should not be deducted from the fiduciary’s compensation.

6. If there are co-fiduciaries, generally, one fee will be divided equally among them. The co-fiduciaries may agree among themselves on a different division. If there is a dispute concerning the division of the fee, the Commissioner may hold a hearing to resolve the dispute.

7. If there are successor fiduciaries, the annual compensation shall be pro-rated.

8. The Commissioner may increase or decrease the otherwise allowable compensation in exceptional circ*mstances. Factors to be considered in determining the compensation include the nature of the assets, the character of the work, the difficulties encountered, the time and expertise required, the responsibilities assumed, the risks incurred and the results obtained.

If the fiduciary has any questions about the allowable compensation after examining these guidelines, the fiduciary should consult with the Commissioner before taking any fee.

*Nothing in these guidelines is intended to alter any statute concerning fiduciary compensation.

Virginia Code § 64.2-1208 allows a “reasonable compensation” to a fiduciary for services rendered in the administration of an estate. While there is no specific definition of “reasonable compensation”, the Commissioner, in the absence of unusual circ*mstances, will typically allow a fee based upon the following:

1.Total Assets at Beginning of Accounting Period: A fiduciary may take compensation on an annual basis, based on the fair market value of the estate assets (i.e., principal and undistributed income) at the beginning of the accounting period. The percentages below should be applied annually to the beginning fair market value of the account; for the initial account, the beginning fair market value is the principal amount shown on the inventory:

• First $500,000.00.......................1%.................. ......(.01)
• Next $500,000.00.........................¾ of 1%................(.0075)
• Balance over $1,000,000.00........½ of 1%............... (.005)
• Balance over $10,000,000.00 .............By agreement with the Commissioner

(prior consultation is required).

2. Income: An additional fee of five percent (5%) should be allowed on non-investment income received during the account period (for example, periodic retirement payments). No compensation is to be calculated on investment income received during the year.

Fiduciary compensation may be forfeited if a proper account is not timely filed (§ 64.2-1217).

**The Commissioner has the ultimate responsibility to determine the reasonableness of any fiduciary compensation.**

General Rules:

1. If the Court Order clearly sets out compensation in a specific dollar amount or a specific percentage that the fiduciary is to receive, the Court Order controls, and the fiduciary is entitled to the amount set out.

• If the Order, however, sets out hourly fees of any type, the reasonableness of the hours, activities, and total fee will be reviewed by the Commissioner.

2. If the Court Order states that, for their services, the fiduciary shall receive the compensation set out in a referenced published fee schedule in effect at the time such services are rendered, fees as set out in the fee schedule shall be presumed to be reasonable, as that term is used in § 64.2-1208.

• An objecting party has the burden of persuading the Commissioner that fiduciary compensation taken according to such a fee schedule is not reasonable.
• The Commissioner has the ultimate responsibility to determine the reasonableness of fiduciary compensation.

3.If the court order is silent as to the fiduciary’s compensation, the guidelines set out herein apply.

• Compensation should be pro-rated when the required accounting is for a period of less than one full year (see § 64.2-1305).
• In situations where the ward or incapacitated person dies within a short time after the qualification, the Commissioner may consider additional compensation, understanding that much of the fiduciary’s work occurs at the beginning of the Estate.

4. If the fiduciary employs an attorney or accountant to perform duties that statutorily must be performed by the fiduciary, the professional fees of those persons must be deducted from the compensation due the fiduciary.

• Note that this does not apply to reasonable fees paid to attorneys or accountants for tax work or litigation or other legal services reasonably necessary for the orderly administration of the estate. The reasonable expense of such services will be allowed in addition to the fiduciary fee.

5. If the fiduciary employs an investment advisor, the advisor’s fees, if reasonable, generally should not be deducted from the fiduciary’s compensation.

6. If there are co-fiduciaries, generally, one fee will be divided equally among them. The co-fiduciaries may agree among themselves on a different division. If there is a dispute concerning the division of the fee, the Commissioner may hold a hearing to resolve the dispute.

7. If there are successor fiduciaries, the annual compensation shall be pro-rated.

8.The Commissioner may increase or decrease the otherwise allowable compensation in exceptional circ*mstances. Factors to be considered in determining the compensation include the nature of the assets, the character of the work, the difficulties encountered, the time and expertise required, the responsibilities assumed, the risks incurred and the results obtained.

If the fiduciary has any questions about the allowable compensation after examining these guidelines, the fiduciary should consult with the Commissioner before taking any fee.

*Nothing in these guidelines is intended to alter any statute concerning fiduciary compensation.

Virginia Code § 64.2-1208 allows a “reasonable compensation” to a fiduciary for services rendered in the administration of an estate. While there is no specific definition of “reasonable compensation”, the Commissioner, in the absence of unusual circ*mstances, will typically allow a fee based upon the following:

1. Total Assets at Beginning of Accounting Period: A fiduciary may take compensation on an annual basis, based on the fair market value of the estate assets (i.e., principal and undistributed income) at the beginning of the accounting period. The percentages below should be applied annually to the beginning fair market value of the account; for the initial account, the beginning fair market value is the principal amount shown on the inventory:

• First $500,000.00..................................1%......... ......(.01)
• Next $500,000.00.........................¾ of 1%................(.0075)
• Balance over $1,000,000.00........½ of 1%............... (.0050)
• Balance over $10,000,000.00 .............By agreement with the Commissioner

(prior consultation is required).

Fiduciary compensation may be forfeited if a proper account is not timely filed (§ 64.2-1217).

**The Commissioner has the ultimate responsibility to determine the reasonableness of any fiduciary compensation.**

General Rules:

1. If the Court Order clearly sets out compensation in a specific dollar amount or a specific percentage that the fiduciary is to receive, the court order controls, and the fiduciary is entitled to the amount set out.

• If the Order, however, sets out hourly fees of any type, the reasonableness of the hours, activities, and total fee will be reviewed by the Commissioner.

2. If the Court Order states that, for their services, the fiduciary shall receive the compensation set out in a referenced published fee schedule in effect at the time such services are rendered, fees as set out in the fee schedule shall be presumed to be reasonable, as that term is used in § 64.2-1208.

• An objecting party has the burden of persuading the Commissioner that fiduciary compensation taken according to such a fee schedule is not reasonable.
• The Commissioner has the ultimate responsibility to determine the reasonableness of fiduciary compensation.

3. If the court order is silent as to the fiduciary’s compensation, the guidelines set out herein apply.

• Compensation should be pro-rated when the required accounting is for a period of less than one full year (see § 64.2-1305).
• In situations where the ward or incapacitated person dies within a short time after the qualification, the Commissioner may consider additional compensation, understanding that much of the fiduciary’s work occurs at the beginning of the Estate.

4. If the fiduciary employs an attorney or accountant to perform duties that statutorily must be performed by the fiduciary, the professional fees of those persons must be deducted from the compensation due the fiduciary.

• Note that this does not apply to reasonable fees paid to attorneys or accountants for tax work or litigation or other legal services reasonably necessary for the orderly administration of the estate. The reasonable expense of such services will be allowed in addition to the fiduciary fee.

5. If the fiduciary employs an investment advisor, the advisor’s fees, if reasonable, generally should not be deducted from the fiduciary’s compensation.

6.If there are co-fiduciaries, generally, one fee will be divided equally among them. The co-fiduciaries may agree among themselves on a different division. If there is a dispute concerning the division of the fee, the Commissioner may hold a hearing to resolve the dispute.

7. If there are successor fiduciaries, the annual compensation shall be pro-rated.

8. The Commissioner may increase or decrease the otherwise allowable compensation in exceptional circ*mstances. Factors to be considered in determining the compensation include the nature of the assets, the character of the work, the difficulties encountered, the time and expertise required, the responsibilities assumed, the risks incurred and the results obtained.

If the fiduciary has any questions about the allowable compensation after examining these guidelines, the fiduciary should consult with the Commissioner before taking any fee.

*Nothing in these guidelines is intended to alter any statute concerning fiduciary compensation.

§ 55-59.4 of the Virginia Code allows a “reasonable commission” to a fiduciary for services rendered in the sale of real property under a deed of trust. There is no specific definition of “reasonable compensation.” The Commissioner, in the absence of unusual circ*mstances, will typically allow a fee based upon the following:

1. A fee based upon the foreclosure sales price in accordance with the following schedule:

• First $200,000......................................5%
• Next $150,000.....................................4%
• Next $150,000.....................................3%
• Balance over $500,000.......................2%

Fiduciary compensation may be forfeited if a proper account is not timely filed (§ 64.2-1309).

**The Commissioner has the ultimate responsibility to determine the reasonableness of any fiduciary compensation.**

General Rules:

1. If the Deed of Trust clearly sets out compensation in a specific dollar amount or a specific percentage that the fiduciary is to receive, the deed of trust controls, and the fiduciary is entitled to the amount set out.

2. If the Deed of Trust is silent as to the fiduciary’s compensation or sets out that such compensation shall be reasonable, the guidelines set out herein apply.

• The Commissioner shall honor the agreement where all parties affected by the amount of compensation are:

i. Competent to contract,

ii. Understand the issues involved (i.e., can give “informed consent”) and,

iii. Agree in writing as to the amount of the compensation to be paid

3. If the fiduciary employs an attorney or accountant to perform duties that should be performed by the fiduciary, the fees of those persons must be deducted from the compensation due the fiduciary.

• Note that this does not apply to reasonable fees paid to attorneys for litigation services. The reasonable expense of such services will be allowed in addition to the fiduciary fee.

4. If there are co-fiduciaries, generally, one fee will be divided equally among them. The co-fiduciaries may agree among themselves on a different division. If there is a dispute concerning the division of the fee, the Commissioner may hold a hearing to resolve the dispute.

5. The Commissioner may increase or decrease the otherwise allowable compensation in exceptional circ*mstances. Factors to be considered in determining the compensation include the character of the work, the difficulties encountered, the time and expertise required, the responsibilities assumed, the risks incurred and the results obtained.

6. Any party in interest may object to the Commissioner’s determination of reasonable compensation to a fiduciary for services rendered in the sale of real property under a deed of trust by filing exceptions to such determination with the Circuit Court pursuant to § 64.2-1212 of the Virginia Code.

If the fiduciary has any questions about the allowable compensation after examining these guidelines, the fiduciary should consult with the Commissioner before taking any fee.

*Nothing in these guidelines is intended to alter any statute concerning fiduciary compensation.