"Is there a saving to be had on legal fees where the last-remaining-spouse doesn't have a will, and one of the children agrees to look after the paperwork of the simple estate (house/rental property/car/two mortgages)?"
That's the question. Here's the answer.
No.
"The testator can appoint one of their children as the executor and avoid the legal fees charged by a professional executor."
1. The testator can appoint anyone they like - offspring, neighbour, whoever.
Don't peddle the notion that a child is necessarily the right person. Especially in what are likely to be contentious estates.
2. In my experience, as a practising solicitor of more than 30 years, the number of times, I have seen, or heard of, in a business capacity, a professional executor is minimal.
There is a notion peddled frequently that solicitors constantly take on the role of executor, against the express wishes of their clients (none of whom have a titter of wit) and are led blindly by the cunning, underhand, advisor. Remind me again- why do they go to this person if they are so rubbish?
In my experience, that does not happen. But then what would I know?
mf