{"id":1902,"date":"2026-10-18T04:34:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T04:34:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trustcounsel.com\/resources\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services\/what-is-reasonable-compensation-for-a-trustee-in-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-11-04T00:57:54","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T00:57:54","slug":"what-is-reasonable-compensation-for-a-trustee-in-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/trustcounsel.com\/resources\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services\/what-is-reasonable-compensation-for-a-trustee-in-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Reasonable Trustee Compensation in Florida | Trust Counsel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Trust & Estate Matters | Coral Gables, Florida<\/p>

Reasonable Compensation for a Trustee in Florida<\/h1>

Trust Counsel, PL focuses on trust and estate matters from its Coral Gables office, advising and representing trustees, personal representatives and beneficiaries on how a trustee's pay is set and reviewed.<\/p>

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By Leslie V. Marenco \u00b7 Published October 18, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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What is reasonable compensation for a trustee in Florida? When the trust document does not set a fee, Florida law entitles the trustee to compensation that is reasonable under the circumstances. That default rule comes from Fla. Stat. \u00a7 736.0708<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you’re a beneficiary, or you’ve just been named trustee for a relative, this question can feel urgent. A fee statement may look high. You may also be deciding whether to take the role at all. This page explains the rule, what shapes the amount, and what you can do when a fee seems wrong.<\/p>\n

The Short Answer: Florida’s Default Rule for Trustee Pay<\/h2>\n

A trustee is paid reasonable compensation when the trust does not say how much. That is the starting point under Fla. Stat. \u00a7 736.0708<\/a>. The statute ties the amount to the circumstances, so no single figure fits every trustee.<\/p>\n

Consider two trusts. One holds a single bank account and a house. The other holds a closely held business, rental properties and accounts that run for several years. The second trust involves far more work. A reasonable fee for it will look different.<\/p>\n

The default applies only when the trust is silent on pay. Once the trust sets a fee, the analysis changes. The next section explains how that works. Keep the default in mind as you read the trust itself.<\/p>\n\n

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When the Trust Document Sets the Fee<\/h2>\n

When the trust names a fee, the trustee is paid as the trust specifies. The trust terms come first. A fee clause might set a yearly amount, a percentage, an hourly rate or a method for figuring pay.<\/p>\n

A court can change a specified fee in limited cases. Under \u00a7 736.0708(2)<\/a>, a court may allow more or less pay if the trustee’s duties differ substantially from what the trust contemplated. A court may also act if the specified pay is unreasonably low or high.<\/p>\n

Read the clause closely. Ask whether it covers routine administration only. Ask whether it also covers extra work, such as a property sale or a tax dispute. A trustee who renders other services for the trust may receive reasonable pay for them, on top of trustee pay. See \u00a7 736.0708(3)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Vague wording causes trouble. When the terms are unclear, the question can end up before a judge. For more on paid fiduciary roles, see how Trust Counsel advises trustees and personal representatives<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Factors Courts and Parties Look At When Judging Reasonableness<\/h2>\n

A fee is reasonable when it fits the work the trustee actually did. The trust statute sets the standard in general words. It does not give a checklist for trustees. The following considerations may bear on a fee review:<\/p>\n