Spouses often given executor duties

It is not uncommon for a person to grant their partner executor duties, but this can lead to a number of pitfalls.

For example, if the couple splits up, all sorts of problems can arise from having to change the will, which can often prove costly.

In many cases, people will need to get hold of an entirely new will and start again when it comes to deciding who will receive what in the event of death.

It may therefore be beneficial to appoint another close family member or friend, as they can continue to perform their role even if the couple should separate.

Keith Johnston, director of philanthropy at the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, recently suggested that the best way to avoid a will dispute is to make sure an individual’s wishes are explicitly laid out in the document.