An executor can be anyone, even a beneficiary, over the age of 18. Common executor appointments include family members and friends, although it is also possible to appoint your solicitor as a professional executor.

What happens if a solicitor is an executor?

Any solicitor who has been appointed as Executor is under no legal obligation to renounce their position (resign). … Ethically a solicitor should agree to renounce their position as Executor if it isn’t in the best interests of the deceased person.

What does a solicitor charge to be an executor?

Some probate specialists and solicitors charge an hourly rate, while others charge a fee that’s a percentage of the value of the estate. This fee is usually calculated as between 1% to 5% of the value of the estate, plus VAT.