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Being named as an executor is a significant responsibility. Some people wish to decline the role before starting; others find they need to step back during the administration. Understanding the options — renunciation, power reserved, and court removal — helps executors and beneficiaries navigate these situations.
An executor named in a will is not obliged to accept the role. They can formally decline by signing a deed of renunciation — Form PA15 — which is filed with the Probate Registry when the remaining executor(s) apply for the grant.
Critical rule: renunciation is only available if the executor has not yet "intermeddled" in the estate. Intermeddling means taking any step to deal with the estate as executor — for example, collecting assets, paying debts, or even just corresponding with banks as executor. Once an executor has intermeddled, they cannot renounce — they are bound to continue.
Actions that do not constitute intermeddling include:
Once renunciation is filed, the renouncing executor has no further role in the estate. If all named executors renounce, a beneficiary or creditor can apply for letters of administration.
Where there are two or more executors, one can "reserve power" when the grant is taken out by the others. This means they are not acting as executor at present but retain the right to come in later if needed — for example, if the acting executor dies or becomes incapacitated.
Power reserved is noted on the grant of probate ("power reserved to [Name]"). If the reserved executor later wishes to act, they apply to the Probate Registry for a grant of double probate.
Once an executor has taken the grant, they cannot simply resign. There is no automatic mechanism for an executor to step down part-way through administration. Options include:
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The court can remove an executor in the following circumstances:
An application for removal is made to the Chancery Division of the High Court (or the County Court for simpler cases). It is a last resort — the court will not remove an executor simply because beneficiaries find them difficult to deal with. See our beneficiary disputes and executor accounts guide for information about disputes during administration.
If a sole executor dies during administration, the executor of their estate (their own executor) steps into their shoes as executor of the original estate — this is the "chain of executors" rule. If their executor also died without an executor, the chain is broken.
If the chain is broken, or if the deceased executor was the only executor and left no will, the residuary beneficiaries or their representatives can apply for letters of administration (with will annexed) to continue the administration.
Once the executor has:
...their active role as executor is over. However, their liability continues for the relevant limitation period — typically 12 years for claims under a deed, 6 years for simple money claims. They must retain all estate records for this period.
For closing the administration, see our closing accounts after distribution guide. For disputes between co-executors, see our multiple executors disagreement guide. For beneficiary disputes over accounts, see our beneficiary disputes and executor accounts guide. For the executor's first steps, see our executor first steps guide. For applying for probate, see our applying for probate guide. For the full post-grant process, see our what to do after grant of probate guide and estate administration checklist. For the complete probate context, see our complete UK probate guide 2026. For the executor's accounting obligations, see our executor accounting to beneficiaries guide. Farra can help — get started here.
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