You’ve been named executor of an estate. What if you don’t want the job?

Debbie Stanley, CEO of ETP Canada, estimates the average executor spends about 400 hours managing an estate over two or more years.

Being named an executor is considered an honour by some people. But what if you don’t want the job of being in charge of someone’s will?

In some cases, estate planning experts say people don’t find out they were named an executor until the testator – the formal name for the person who wrote the will – has passed away. Or the will might be outdated, and the executor is a former spouse who doesn’t want anything to do with managing their ex’s estate.

Some people might also decide that they just don’t want to commit possibly hundreds of hours, potentially over several years, dealing with banks and beneficiaries, as well as lawyers and companies – not to mention