NSW Trustee and Guardian charged $56,100 in executor fees—25% of a $2.2M estate—sparking backlash over high, outdated fees.

In 2025, Tony Greaves learned the NSW Trustee and Guardian would charge $56,100 in executor fees—about 25% of his mother’s $2.2 million estate—after she used the state’s free will service in 2013. The fees, based on a sliding scale last updated in 2014, are significantly higher than typical private legal fees and have drawn criticism for being disproportionate, especially given the minimal work involved. The Trustee and Guardian defends the fees as necessary for legal compliance, dispute prevention, and tax efficiency, noting they are transparent, regulated, and can be waived for hardship.