Mirror Wills Explained
Discover whether mirror Wills are right for you and your partner, and how they work.
Last updated: 1 December 2024
What Are Mirror Wills?
Mirror Wills are two separate Wills made by a couple (married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting) that reflect each other's wishes. They are virtually identical, with each partner leaving their estate to the other, and then to the same beneficiaries (often children) if the other partner has already died.
How Mirror Wills Work
A typical Mirror Will structure works like this:
- Partner A leaves everything to Partner B
- Partner B leaves everything to Partner A
- If Partner A dies first, Partner B inherits everything
- If Partner B dies first, Partner A inherits everything
- When the surviving partner dies, everything passes to the named beneficiaries
Benefits of Mirror Wills
- Cost-effective: Creating two Wills together is usually cheaper than making them separately
- Consistent planning: Ensures both partners have the same overall plan for their estate
- Protection for children: Both Wills name the same guardians for minor children
- Simplicity: Straightforward approach for couples with shared assets and wishes
- Peace of mind: Both partners know their affairs are in order
Who Should Consider Mirror Wills?
Mirror Wills may be suitable if you:
- Are married or in a civil partnership
- Want to leave everything to each other initially
- Have the same beneficiaries (typically children)
- Have relatively straightforward estates
- Share the same wishes for guardians and executors
Important Considerations
Mirror Wills Are Not Binding
A crucial point to understand is that Mirror Wills are two separate legal documents. The surviving partner is free to change their Will at any time after their partner dies. This means:
- The survivor could disinherit the originally intended beneficiaries
- They could remarry and their new spouse would have inheritance rights
- They could change their mind about guardians for children
When Mirror Wills May Not Be Suitable
Consider alternatives if:
- You have children from previous relationships
- You want to protect your share for specific beneficiaries
- You have complex assets or business interests
- You want to ensure your wishes cannot be changed after your death
- There is a significant age or health difference between partners
Alternatives to Mirror Wills
Mutual Wills
Unlike Mirror Wills, Mutual Wills include an agreement that neither partner will change their Will without the other's consent, even after one dies. This provides more protection but less flexibility.
Protective Property Trusts
You can include a trust in your Will that protects your share of the family home for your children while allowing your surviving partner to continue living there.
Life Interest Trusts
These give the surviving partner the right to benefit from assets during their lifetime, with the capital passing to your chosen beneficiaries on their death.
Making Mirror Wills With Us
Our Mirror Wills service makes it easy for couples to create matching Wills online. The process is simple:
- Answer questions about your circumstances together
- We create two matching Wills reflecting your shared wishes
- Each partner reviews and signs their own Will separately
- Both Wills must be witnessed according to legal requirements
Key Points to Remember
- Mirror Wills are two separate documents, not one joint Will
- Each Will remains valid even if the other is revoked
- Marriage automatically revokes any previous Will
- Review your Wills after major life changes
- Keep both Wills stored safely but separately
Ready to get started?
Our online service makes it easy to create legally valid documents from the comfort of your home, with expert guidance at every step.