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Yes. Where a will names multiple executors, any one of them may apply for and receive a Grant of Probate alone, provided the others either formally renounce or have power reserved. You will hold full legal authority to administer the estate.
Testators (those making a will) commonly name two or more executors for several reasons: to share the administrative burden, to provide a check on each individual executor's decisions, to ensure continuity if one executor dies or becomes unable to act, and to reflect close relationships with multiple trusted individuals.
In practice, however, circumstances change between the date the will is made and the date of death. Co-executors may have moved abroad, become estranged, developed ill health, or simply no longer wish to take on the role. The law accommodates all of these realities by allowing a Grant of Probate to issue to fewer than all the named executors.
See our estate administration checklist to understand everything the sole acting executor will need to do.
When a co-executor does not apply for probate alongside you, they fall into one of two categories:
The co-executor declines to act at this stagebut retains the right to apply for probate later if required. They do not formally renounce. The grant issues to you alone, but the co-executor's appointment is preserved.
This is often the preferred approach where a co-executor is temporarily unable to act (for example, due to illness or being overseas) or where you wish to keep the option open in case you yourself become unable to continue. See our dedicated guide on power reserved for full details.
The co-executor permanently gives up their right to act by filing Form PA15 with the Probate Registry. They are formally discharged from all duties and cannot later apply to be joined in the administration (without a court order).
Renunciation is appropriate where the co-executor definitively does not wish to be involved. For guidance on the renunciation process, see our guide on renouncing executorship.
A co-executor who has neither renounced nor applied for probate is in a limbo position. In that case, you can apply to cite them — using Form PA6 (£3 fee) — to force them to accept or refuse within 14 days. If they do not respond, the Probate Registry will treat them as having been cleared off, and you may proceed alone.
The application process is the same as for a joint application. You complete Form PA1P and submit it to the Probate Registry along with:
On the application form, you will be asked to account for the other named executors. You will indicate either that they have renounced (attach their Form PA15) or that power is to be reserved to them. The Probate Registry will issue the grant to you as the sole applying executor, with a note recording the position of each co-executor.
For a full walkthrough, see our guide on applying for probate and our probate documents checklist.
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Acting alone does not reduce your responsibilities — it concentrates them. You carry the full legal duties of an executor, including:
You also carry personal liability for errors. If you overpay a beneficiary, miss a creditor, or fail to pay the correct tax, you may be sued or required to make good the loss from your own pocket. This is a serious responsibility that sole executors should not underestimate.
If a co-executor who has power reserved later wishes to join the administration — for example, because a complex dispute has arisen — they may apply for a further grant. This is sometimes called "taking out probate de bonis non" or, more commonly, an application for a further grant during the administration.
The practical effect is that they are joined as a co-administrator. However, this can create complexity: decisions already taken are not revisited, but future decisions will require the agreement of both of you. If this prospect concerns you, consider discussing it with the co-executor before applying for probate and formalising the power reserved arrangement clearly.
Acting as sole executor on a complex estate is demanding. The following resources can help:
If you are ready to begin, Farra can walk you through every step of the estate administration process.
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