Probate/renouncing executorship

[DonttouchthatLarry]

Can anyone help please? My mother's will names my 2 siblings as executors and if either of them can't/won't act it then names me.

One sibling (not very organised and cba!) wants me to sort probate so do they have to renounce executorship & fill in form PA15 as I am already named on the will as the 'spare' executor?

I've done the inheritance tax calculation and almost all of the probate forms but it asks 'how many past and present executors' there are so do I put 2 (originally named in will), 2 (one originally named plus me as replacement) or 3 (2 original plus me)? Find the wording of that question quite unclear. I'll have to send the will in anyway so will they just come back to me if it's wrong?

Thanks in advance 😊

Can’t you keep it simple and put 2 and just get the original 2 executors to sign?
Think of it as you have acted like a solicitor and undertaken all the admin for the executors. This way your CBA sibling doesn’t have to complete a form.

If you want to formally be an executor, then in response to the question ‘how many past and present executors’ the answer is 3. Yes you would need your sibling to renounce.

I was Executor for my late father in law, at any time I found the Probate helpline extremely helpful. I was told not to be worried about doing anything wrong, if anything had been submitted incorrectly then they would contact me.

Another one here saying the probate service is very helpful. Friendly and really nice to deal with. They are aware that it's a stressful thing for people, and honestly couldn't have been nicer to deal with.

I also made an appointment at the probate court because I had to have a family member removed as executor because they were a total nightmare. The judge person was really lovely and helpful.

Thank you all - I got through to the helpline eventually and all sorted 😊

Good to hear.