Yes; even if you are appointed a guardian in someone’s will, you can refuse. Such a refusal has to be in writing signed by the proposed guardian and made within a reasonable time of their first knowledge that the appointment had taken effect.

Thanks very much to Punam Denley, a partner at the International Family Law Group LLP for reviewing and to David Hodson, also partner at the International Family Law Group LLP, who reviewed an earlier version which appeared in A Parent’s Guide to the Law by Jon Robins (LawPack , 2009).  Stephen Lawson, a litigation partner at Forshaws Davies Ridgway LLP assisted with the section on the CSA.