Seek out a professional when making a will

People considering making a will to determine who will benefit from their property and possessions when they are gone are being urged to use a professional service.

Keith Johnston, director of philanthropy at the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), said that doing this should ensure that no "silly mistakes" are made as these could then be contested in court by different parties.

"Look out for the initials TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner) as these denote a specialist. Also, it is essential to ensure that your client has full mental capacity to make the will," the specialist went on to say.

Writing a will through a professional service will also provide complete peace of mind, while executors can be named to manage the administration of an estate.

Furthermore, a will can protect the value of property been cut by inheritance tax.

Recently, business writer Tricia Philips told the Daily Mirror that it was a good idea for people to take a proactive approach to planning future inheritance tax.