Friend named as executor on will for relative 300 miles away

getmore4less

AS long as the friend trusts that daughter to do it right then they could renounce.
How old are the Grand kids?
Another strategy is the the friend gets named on the grant, signs stuff off, while the daughter does the legwork as living close Share the load as they(friend) is getting 25% of the estate.
It is what tends to happen when you appoint solicitors the relatives still end up doing the leg work.

TBagpuss

The fact that she lives 300 miles away doesn't stop her acting as executor - most of what needs doing will be paperwork which you can do from anywhere. She can delegate practical tasks (e.g. letting agents into the house) or instruct a solicitor local to Great aunt's home to do them.