The role of a PR is often a difficult task, especially in circumstances where there are strained family relationships before the death of the individual. The fact that an individual is named as an executor in a will does not mean that person has to accept that role. If they decide before they start administering the estate and acting as a PR, (known as “intermeddling”), that they do not want to accept the role, they can “renounce” the position and walk away. However, they cannot simply walk away from the role once they have a grant of probate. They can then only be removed by an order of the court.