Professional will-writing for "tax-efficient" testament

Professional will-writing services can help Britons ensure their testament is "tax efficient" and "legally valid", it has been stated.

MSN Money reports engaging an expert to assist in making a will should help families ensure assets are transferred as their owners would wish, as well as avoiding any potential heartache from disputes or badly-executed documents.

Describing non-professional will-writing services as "far less reliable", the publication warns against budget options such as "buying an off-the-shelf 'make a will' kit or doing it online".

It also recommends executors of wills should be carefully chosen, as such individuals can affect the tax paid on assets, as well as speeding up the process of probate and estate administration.

A professional executor can help under such circumstances and the option may be attractive to those with large families, or where one individual does not wish to shoulder such a burden.

Brian McMillan, director general of the Society of Will Writers, recently stated the use of professional will-writing services is important, suggesting DIY testaments or disreputable firms can cause significant problems and heartache.