Being an executor is a role for life; if any claims against the estate come up in the future, you will have to deal with them, and you must carry out your duties correctly. Think carefully before accepting the role as it can be difficult to go back on your decision later. You won’t be able to step down once you have started your duties as executor.
If you have accepted the role but change your mind:
Before the person who appointed you dies, talk to them about your decision so they can change their will.
If you change your mind immediately after the person who appointed you has died, speak to the Probate Registry or to a legal professional about your options.
After the person has died but before you start to deal with the estate, you may need to complete a form of renunciation.
After the person has died and when you’ve started to deal with the estate, you cannot step down unless you have a genuine reason such as ill health or a family emergency. In Scotland, you can step down if you’re not the only executor named in the will, in which case you have to appoint someone to take your place before you resign. However, if you live in Northern Ireland, you can only appoint someone to act in your place if you are incapable of dealing with your own affairs.