Renunciation of Executorship

[Blue57]

My mother recently passed away having named myself and a local practitioner as executors. The latter was included at their suggestion should I pre-decease her.

I am the sole beneficiary of her will and have no vulnerability or health issues. I have previously trained financial advisers on IHT matters as well as advising my own clients (although the estate value is well within the Nil Rate Band even without the MRNRB).

I have commenced the application and paid for probate and requested the original will from the practice. I have also asked for the named individual to renounce executorship as I am perfectly capable of dealing with the estate myself, having done so for other relatives.

Their office tells me that "he doesn't like to renounce" and have insisted that I attend a meeting with the partner. I have reluctantly agreed, yet this will add yet another week to the timescale. My insistence on his renunciation (via his staff, obviously) has fallen on deaf ears.

In addition to the grief associated with the bereavement why should I be subjected to this additional frustration? I believe the attitude of the firm to be focused on their potential fees rather than any ethical or legal obligation to my late mother.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[dslippy]

If they are named as executors they are just as entitled as you are to apply for probate. Indeed an application for probate will not go through without confirmation that they renounce.
Go to the meeting. Explain that it is not your wish in a friendly manner and hope for he best
It does not matter in the slightest that they may have suggested the appointment, the will is the self standing declaration of your mother's wishes. Absent any wording otherwise they have equal standing.