Trustee fees in Pennsylvania can vary depending on many factors. Serving as a Trustee is a time-consuming job. Depending on the type of trust (including special needs trusts (or a minor’s trust) the role can become a full-time commitment. In fact, there are companies whose sole existence is to serve as trustees. Decisions must be made about all sorts of issues, including distributions to beneficiaries, selling or buying property, fees to charge, and advisors to hire.
Trustees in Pennsylvania often ask us what form of compensation they will receive for serving. Similarly, the individual who establishes a trust and the trust’s beneficiaries also prefer to know exactly how much of the trust’s resources will be used for administration.
Typical Pennsylvania Trustee Fees are Hourly, Flat Rate per Year, or a Combination of Both
In the trust dynamic, the principal sets the terms. If the trust document has not yet been drafted, the grantor can expressly state the compensation a trustee will receive. If the trustee does not feel the compensation is worth their time and effort, it is their right to refuse to serve. The types of compensation specified can be an hourly rate, a flat rate per year, a combination of both. Some trust documents may even stipulate that trustees serve with no fee. Most often, a trust will include a term specifying that a trustee shall receive ‘reasonable compensation.’
Trust Attorneys and Trustees often favor this term because it provides maximum flexibility. For instance, it allows a regular trustee to be compensated more for extraordinary work. This term will not scare a corporate trustee away from serving when all previously appointed trustees have stopped serving.
“Reasonable” is also the default compensation a court will apply when no compensation has been specified in the trust document. The sources of clarity on what is or is not reasonable are judge’s opinions. Making the question more difficult is that judge’s opinions differ based on county and circumstance.
For more information go to our Estate Litigation page. Go to our Breach of Fiduciary Duty page for information about Trustee duties.
Case Law on Trustee Liability
If you have questions about trustee fees in Pennsylvania or any other estate planning concerns contact our office for a free consultation.
Pennsylvania Estate Administration Fees
- Overview
- PA Probate Attorney Fees
- PA Executor Fees
- PA Trustee Fees
- PA Agent & Power of Attorney Fees
- PA Guardianship Fees
How Can We Help?
Peter Klenk is the founding member of Klenk Law, a seven attorney boutique estate planning law firm. We serve clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota and Florida. Peter Klenk received his Masters in Taxation LL.M. from NYU Law School and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. He served his country in the Navy JAGC during Desert Storm. Easy to talk to, feel free to call Peter for an appointment. We will make the process as easy as possible!
What Our clients are saying
Dylan. S
Peter provided outstanding advice and preparation of a will and trusts.
Brandon. L
Peter was excellent. He explained everything very clearly and is super friendly. My wife and I originally tried using a lawyer through group legal coverage, but unfortunately the old adage - "you get what you pay for" - applied to the other lawyer, and we decided to go with a real professional.
Nafeesha. B
When it came down to picking the right attorney to handle my affairs, I knew right away it was this firm. From speaking to their secretary to speaking to Peter I knew I was making the right decision. After only a few mins Peter knew right away what I was looking for and handled all my questions professionally and even gave me great feedback that put my mind at ease. All that without even giving a single penny! So of course I hired him! So far so good...
Chris B.
AWESOME LAWYER! Peter Klenk is an exceptional attorney and a very nice person! Today I spoke with Peter about estate planning and was impressed with by his professionalism, cordiality, and attention to detail. I highly recommend Klenk Law for probates, wills, trusts, and other issues germane to estate planning!
Qiana Wright
Great friendly staff
Susan W.
Tremendous firm with bright, kind and tenacious people. Great representation for our family.
Linda F.
I'm totally satisfied with Klenk Law. Peter has a great legal mind with the personality of the guy next door.
Sheldon P.
Everything about my experience was a 10+! Peter and his staff made what I thought would be a difficult process easy and understandable. Every detail was handled correctly. No other firm could possibly do better than Klenk Law!
Ronald W.
Peter and his staff are very responsive and always willing to help my clients and in a cost efficient manner.
D.P.
Like another reviewer, I contacted Peter through his website using the free consultation link, for a question regarding PA inheritance taxes. The question was quite technical and difficult to explain, and the answer was nowhere to be found on the web. Peter grasped precisely what I was asking, and provided a clear, helpful response (with a touch of humor) the very next day.
Darryl J.
Answered my question quickly and referred me to a colleague that could handle my problem
Ian Marchant
Mr. Klenk, quickly understood the circumstances presented and provided clear and concise advice. This advice provided me with the information I required to progress the case to my advantage.
Andrea Wilson
Peter is excellent. I had a very complicated situation with my parents' estate planning and potential Medicaid needs. Peter was very knowledgeable in estate planning matters, able to define the best solution for the situation. Additionally, he was congenial and able to communicate effectively to my senior citizen parents the benefits of estate planning. He earned my trust, and more importantly, my parents' trust in a 45 mins consultation period. Highly recommend Peter. He is very easy to work with.
Chantee C.
Peter recently gave a presentation about Wills & Trusts at my employer, and it was fantastic! He was extremely knowledgeable and provided valuable information to the group. People were very engaged and asked several questions, all of which Peter thoroughly answered. Personally, my husband and I have selected Peter to help us with our estate planning, and he has been very helpful in providing us with all of the information we need to provide a secure future for our family. Thank you, Peter!
Dylan Small
Peter provided outstanding advice and preparation of a will and trusts.
Christopher F.
Peter explained things in a way that was easy to understand. Everything was done in the time frame he said it. Could not have been better!
Albert A.
You & your staff are the best thank you for everything.
Stephen T.
Peter and his staff handled all of our needs in a very professional and timely matter.
Maxine G.
Peter Klenk made a complex subject understandable and allowed us to move forward with our estate planning. He was patient with our questions and creative in the solutions he proposed.
Brian M.
Peter explained a complex subject very clearly, helped us to decide the best approach to managing our estate and then made it very easy for us to execute the required documents. He will be a valuable resource for years to come and clearly has a great understanding of estate law that will lead to innovative solutions for us. I would unhesitatingly recommend him for estate planning.
Chris Curcio
Fantastic customer service. Very personable and most importantly they provide great explanations of what is required based on your individual needs. Highly recommend Klenk Law for anyone that needs to create a will and estate documents.
Joe Peters
Always professional and very responsive. Everyone on the staff that I have worked with. I look forward to continuing our relationship.
Michael Patete
Surprisingly easy
MJG
Affable...yet surprisingly cerebral estate planning atty. High marks all the way around.
A.R.
Peter and his associates made things easy for us.
Let us put our expertise to work for you.
Free consultation within 24 hours.
