Will-writing 'to save heartache and stress'

Will-writing could help to save people "heartache and stress" by guaranteeing their nearest and dearest will be the ones who receive their fortune, it has been suggested.

Rachel Wait, writing for LoveMoney.com, explains those thinking about drawing up a will would be wise to enlist the services of a qualified solicitor or legal expert to ensure the document is both accurate and valid.

More complicated matters such as inheritance tax can also be dealt with by solicitors in order to make sure there are no errors in the will.

Additionally, those who are members of recognised bodies such as the Institute of Professional Willwriters or The Society of Will Writers will be required to follow a code of practice, meaning those making their wills will be covered if anything goes wrong.

The death of Michael Jackson in June 2009 is one example of how messy a person's financial affairs can get if they do not leave a will, as his family did not know what would happen to his estate or who would be charged with the responsibility of acting as a legal guardian to his three children.