Mirror wills are matching wills for couples that reflect each other. They're the most popular choice for married couples and civil partners.
What are mirror wills?
Mirror wills are two separate wills that contain essentially the same provisions. Typically:
- Each partner leaves everything to the other
- If both have died, the estate goes to children or other named beneficiaries
- Each partner names the same (or similar) executors and guardians
They're called "mirror" wills because they reflect each other - what Partner A says about Partner B is mirrored by what Partner B says about Partner A.
Benefits of mirror wills
- Cost-effective: Cheaper than two separate wills
- Consistent: Both partners' wishes align
- Simple: Straightforward structure that's easy to understand
- Comprehensive: Cover "what if we both die?" scenarios
When mirror wills work well
Mirror wills are ideal when:
- You want to leave everything to each other
- You agree on who should benefit after you've both gone
- Neither of you has children from previous relationships
- Your financial situations are broadly similar
When to consider alternatives
Mirror wills might not be right if:
- You have children from previous relationships (blended families)
- You have very different assets or wishes
- You want to protect assets from future claims
- You're concerned about remarriage after your death
In these cases, you might need separate wills with different provisions, or wills that include trust arrangements.
Important note
Mirror wills are separate documents. After one partner dies, the surviving partner can change their own will. If you want to ensure the survivor can't change the plan, you'll need more complex arrangements.
