Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

Re: Executor Removal

To begin with, you do not have to accept appointment as Executor. You may defer to a successor if one is appointed in the will.

Formal acceptance of the "appointment" is done by probating, or filing, the Will with the Register of Wills for the County where the decedent resided at the time of death. If you have already probated the Will and Letters Testamentary have been issued by the Register to you, you will have to resign and another person be appointed by the Register. If the Will does not name a successor Executor, a member of the family should apply to the Register of Wills for appointment.

The staff at the Offices of the Register of Wills are often helpful and can provide you with forms and even assist you in completing them. Of course, you or a successor Executor should retain an Estates attorney to help with administration of the estate.