Can We Change Chief Executor

[Redout007]

How easy is it to change Chief executor, the solicitor who did the will kept
it in store for 10 years, we now have the will, but he made himself Chief Executor. Should we add a codicil to a will to change Chief Executor, would they the solicitor company have any claim on the estate. (Which hs drastically reduced (Property sold etc) sinc eteh will was written up?
Or would the Will be valid with the codicil be valid?

[Jackdaw33]

Yes you can change the executor.
The solicitor has no claim on the estate.

[woofgang]

If the estate has changed, better I think to make a new will entirely....I am assuming that the person who made the will is still alive and has mental capacity.

[fiction-factory]

Is the person whose will it is still alive? If so he/she should just do a new will.
If the person whose will it is has died I am puzzled by some of the things you say- eg the solicitor made himself chief executor.

[bednobs]

a solicitor could not have "made themselves" executor - the will maker would have done that (or at least agreed to it)
Bear in mind the solicitor will be losing work so it may well be trickyto just dispense with them

[murraymints]

Best to change it anyway avoid fees

[woofgang]

bedknobs, if the will maker is dead then yes. If the will maker is alive and has capacity then you just destroy the will and make another one "revoking all others"

[Buenchico]

Solution 1:
Type out a new will, simply copying the old one and replacing the executor. (Remember to change the date!). Sign and date it in the presence of two witnesses (who must not be beneficiaries of the will) and get them to sign it.

Solution 2:
Type out a codicil as follows:
"This is the first codicil to the will dated [date] of me [full name] of [full address].

1. I revoke the appointment of [name of solicitor] as executor and appoint [name of new executor] as executor in his stead.
2. In all other respects I confirm my will.

Date:

Signature:

Signed by [full name] in our presence and then by us in his:

[Signature of 1st Witness]                [Signature of 2nd Witness]
[Printed name & address] [Printed name & address]"

(Note: If you don't need to appoint another executor, simply omit "and appoint [name of new executor] as executor in his stead")

[Peter Pedant]

thanks Chris I thought you would come up trumps