Requirement to use services of solicitor already appointed as executor

ToraSchrodi

My mother has appointed me as co-executor of her estate with a firm of solicitors.  I am the sole beneficiary, and the estate (although moderately large and subject to inheritance tax, is not very complex).  I would like to administer the estate and apply for probate myself, but the solicitors are insisting that it is a legal requirement that I use their services.  Is this true, and if it is - to what extent?  Many thanks for any advice.

p00hsticks

If they are named co-executors then my understanding is that you are required to work with them unless they are willing to relinquish being co-executors. 

elsien

You can request that they relinquish and they need to have a good reason not to do so. 

https://communities.lawsociety.org.uk/august-2021/giving-it-up/6001952.article

They are being disingenuous in saying it’s legal requirement as they can stand down. If dealing with the estate is likely to be an uncontentious process, then it’s a request they should certainly consider. 

JGB1955

There's some interesting reading on this subject at Can I ask a professional executor to step down? – Birketts

badmemory

But it will cost either way.  That is why they want to do it, just the fee.  It would be a lot quicker to pay their fee & DIY.  Six months wait for the Gazette for a start before they do anything, when you would be liable as either executor or beneficiary, which would make no difference to your position.  So say £100k for six months @ 4% is going to cost you £2k before they even start.  Then any conversation you need to have with them will cost.