Declining executorship

[fussydassie]

If someone names you as executor of estate in a will, can that be declined? does any notification need to have been provided beforehand, like must the deceased have advised the person beforehand that they will be executor?

 

[deweyzeph]

If someone names you as executor of estate in a will, can that be declined? does any notification need to have been provided beforehand, like must the deceased have advised the person beforehand that they will be executor?

You absolutely can decline to be the executor. In any case, most executors will appoint an estate attorney or law firm to handle the winding up of the estate and will seldom have the necessary tax or legal knowledge to wind up an estate themselves. If the value of the estate is more than R250 000 (I think) then the master of the high court must approve the appointment in any case.