How to give up your right as an executor (probate practitioners)
Updated 14 March 2025
Applies to England and Wales
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-pa17-give-up-probate-executor-rights-for-probate-practitioners/how-to-give-up-your-right-as-an-executor-probate-practitioners
1. Before you start
You must only complete form PA17 if:
- the partners are not named individually in the will
- each partner wants to give up their probate executor rights
If the partners are named individually, or only some of them want to give up their executor rights, each partner will need to complete form PA15 instead.
This form may not be suitable for all cases, and you may need to produce your own legal document instead.
2. Who can give up their executor rights
Probate practitioners can give up their executor rights if they’re working in a firm as a:
- profit sharing partner
- salaried partner (only if the will appoints salaried partners)
- member
- shareholder
- director
3. How to give up your executor rights
- Download form PA17.
- Fill in all sections.
- Hand sign and date the application.
- Get your witness to hand sign and date the application.
- Give the completed form to the executor who’s applying for probate.
4. Contact us
If you need help completing this form, you can contact us.
Probate helpline
Telephone: 0300 303 0648
Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm
Closed on weekends and bank holidays