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Can I appoint more than one executor?

Yes. Co-executors must generally act unanimously unless the will says otherwise, which can either provide balance or produce deadlock.

This is legal information only. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a lawyer.

Yes. Co-executors must generally act unanimously unless the will says otherwise, which can either provide balance or produce deadlock.

The Canadian position

Give co-executors an express power to act by majority if you appoint three, or accept that two must agree on everything.

The Islamic position

Multiple wasis are permissible. Classical texts discuss how they act together, and the same practical concern about deadlock arises.

Researched — the schools differ

All four schools want the same qualities in a wasi — adulthood and legal capacity, Islam, integrity and the ability to do the job. They differ on what failing one of them does. Three schools treat them as conditions of validity, so an appointment that fails one is void. The Hanafi school treats the appointment as valid and puts the remedy in the judge’s hands.

All four Sunni schools researched and sourced. Reviewed 2026-08-19. Full positions, evidence and sources — Who may be appointed wasi (executor and guardian).

Note

This is legal information only. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a lawyer.

Citations & sources

Every factual claim on this page traces to a source below. Details change — check the original source before relying on any figure, fee or legal position. Anything under “further reading” is related material, not a source for what is stated here.

Canadian legislation & government
  1. Administering estates — Government of Ontario
  2. Estates Act, RSO 1990, c E.21 — Government of Ontario
Further reading — Treadstone Law
  1. Must all co executors agree ontario — Treadstone Law
  2. Majority decision among co executors ontario — Treadstone Law
  3. Co executors cant agree on selling the house ontario — Treadstone Law
  4. Estate sale multiple executors one unavailable ontario — Treadstone Law
  5. Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law