Yes, you can but this decision needs to be carefully thought out and reviewed with an estates lawyer. If you name an executor who does not live here in Ontario, you must specifically write in your will that the appointment is without bond. Otherwise, a nonresident would be required to post security (bond) which can be worth up to three times the value of the estate. This is an expensive and time-consuming process. Even with this language to waive the bond requirement, it still may not be binding to a judge if for any reason the judge is not satisfied. We therefore always recommend that if you do name a nonresident as an executor, it would be wise to name an alternative person or professional who lives in Ontario. This would allow the foreign executor the option of renouncing, or stepping down, upon the event that a bond issue arises.