Originally published: 7 February 2018 | Last updated: 13 November 2025
TL;DR: A Mirror Will is two separate Wills created by a couple (spouses or partners) that name each other as the primary beneficiary, with matching backup plans if both partners die together. Mirror Wills function independently from joint Wills as two different types of legal documents. Joint Wills are a single document for two people and should be avoided. At LegalWills.co.uk, Mirror Wills cost £79.95 for a couple and can be created in about 20 minutes using the MyMirrorWill tool.
What Is a Mirror Will?
A Mirror Will exists as two distinct Wills which spouses or partners create to match their content exactly. Each Will names the other partner as the primary beneficiary, with a shared backup plan in case both partners die in a common accident. Most couples choose Mirror Wills as their preferred method to create their Last Will and Testament.
A Mirror Will is fundamentally different from a joint Will. A joint Will is a single document that serves two people. The practice exists as an old method which brings multiple legal problems so people must avoid it completely.
What Is the Difference Between a Mirror Will and a Joint Will?
The practice of joint Wills functioned as a popular approach during the last century because people wanted to reduce their work responsibilities. The method helped Will writers avoid duplication when they needed to produce identical records. The practice emerged when people thought that all family assets belonged to the husband or wife alone. The present time shows that joint Wills have become almost extinct because people understand why they should avoid using them.
Feature
Mirror Wills
Joint Will
Number of documents
Two separate Wills
One shared document
Can be updated independently
Yes. Each partner controls their own Will
No. Changes require both parties
Revocation
Each Will can be revoked independently
The revocation process creates legal problems which make it difficult to understand the situation.
After first partner dies
Survivor can update their own Will freely
Survivor may be legally bound by the joint Will
Recommended by solicitors
Yes
No. Rarely used in modern practice
The legal standing of a joint Will becomes unclear when one partner creates a new Will which cancels out all previous Wills. This is why joint Wills should always be avoided.
What Are the Advantages of Mirror Wills?
The traditional family arrangement which includes two parents and their children remains widely practiced throughout the world. Many couples assume that with this structure, a Will is unnecessary because “it’s obvious” what happens. This is wrong. The law dictates that intestacy rules will determine how the estate distributes because the person never made a Will.
The surviving spouse receives the first £250,000
The remainder is split: half to the surviving spouse, half shared among the children
Unmarried partners receive nothing
Mirror Wills solve this by clearly stating that each partner leaves everything to the other. The estate will transfer to children or other specified beneficiaries when both individuals pass away at the same time. The system delivers these benefits to its users:
The system provides absolute certainty because it eliminates any possibility of inheritance disputes. Both Wills establish identical guardianship appointments for their children. The partner receives Executor status through each Will which establishes this role with an additional substitute nomination. The system enables both partners to modify their Wills at any time when their personal situation requires it.
Do Mirror Wills Need to Be Identical?
No. Despite the name, Mirror Wills do not need to be exact copies with only the names swapped. Each partner should feel free to personalise their Will. People often have different ways to create their Wills through these common methods:
One partner leaving a family heirloom to a specific relative
One partner including a charitable bequest to their local church or organisation
Different specific bequests for personal items
Different backup beneficiaries for personal assets
The “mirror” refers to the overall structure. Both Wills name each other as primary beneficiary and share the same backup plan for children. The individual details can and should be tailored to each person’s wishes.
How Do You Create Mirror Wills?
There are three main approaches to creating Mirror Wills:
Option 1: DIY Will Kits
Blank form Will kits are available for a few pounds, but they carry significant risks. Two blank forms will not coordinate the backup plans between the two Wills, and mistakes in witnessing or wording can invalidate the documents entirely. Free Will kits function as the worst choice for making any Will but they become especially problematic for Mirror Wills because they require proper document coordination.
Option 2: Solicitor
A solicitor can draft Mirror Wills, typically charging £300 to £600 for the pair. The process establishes legal validity but users must pay high fees and schedule appointments for each update which requires them to return for every future modification. Learn more about the cost of writing a Will.
Option 3: Online Will Service
LegalWills.co.uk functions as an online Will service which provides users with solicitor-level legal protection for their Wills at prices that undercut standard market rates. Mirror Wills are £79.95 for a couple.
How Does the LegalWills.co.uk Mirror Will Service Work?
The process at LegalWills.co.uk is designed specifically to make Mirror Wills simple and accurate:
Step 1: Create Your Own Will
The first partner completes the MyWill service, which has 9 stages:
Enter your personal and family details (children, grandchildren)
Name a guardian for minor children (with backup)
Appoint an Executor (with backup)
Distribute your estate. Specific bequests and residual estate
Add special instructions (funeral wishes, pet care, digital assets)
Step 2: Use the MyMirrorWill Tool
The user can access the “Mirror this Will” button after they finish their initial Will creation process through the My Services platform. The tool pre-populates the second Will with matching information:
Family details are shared between both Wills
The primary beneficiary is automatically swapped
Guardians and backup Executors carry over
The backup distribution plan is mirrored
Step 3: Personalise the Mirrored Will
The second partner can then adjust any details. Adding personal bequests, changing specific wishes, or modifying their own preferences. The mirrored Will functions as a starting document but it does not serve as a strict pattern to follow.
Step4 Printand Signand Witness
Both Wills are generated as printable documents. Each must be signed by its respective testator in the presence of two independent witnesses, in accordance with the Wills Act 1837.
What Happens to Mirror Wills After Divorce or Separation?
Your Mirror Will will not receive any automatic updates when your relationship ends. Under English law, divorce treats your ex-spouse as having predeceased you for the purposes of your Will, but this only applies to gifts and Executor appointments, not to the entire Will. You should update your Will after divorce to ensure it fully reflects your new circumstances.
With LegalWills.co.uk, updating is simple and included with your active account. No solicitor required.
How Much Do Mirror Wills Cost?
Method
Cost for Mirror Wills
Updates Included
Solicitor
£300. £600+
No. Each update costs extra
DIY Will kit
£10. £30
No. New kit required
LegalWills.co.uk
£79.95
Yes. Unlimited updates with active account
Frequently Asked Questions
Can unmarried couples make Mirror Wills?
Yes. Mirror Wills extend their usefulness beyond married couples because they work for any two people who live together. Two people who live together or hold civil partnership status or family members can establish Mirror Wills which direct their assets to each other as primary beneficiaries. Intestacy law denies unmarried couples any automatic rights to inherit property which makes this situation essential for them.
Are Mirror Wills legally binding on the surviving partner?
No. Because Mirror Wills are two separate documents, the surviving partner is free to update or revoke their Will at any time after the first partner dies. The system provides an advantage because it avoids the binding obligations which joint Wills would create.
What if we have children from previous relationships?
Mirror Wills serve as an effective solution which enables blended families to create their own customized arrangements. Each partner can specify different beneficiaries for their personal assets while sharing a common plan for jointly held assets. A lifetime interest trust serves to safeguard assets which belong to children from a previous marriage while it continues to support a surviving spouse.
Do both Mirror Wills need the same witnesses?
No. Each Will requires its own two independent witnesses, but they do not need to be the same people. The practice of one partner witnessing the other’s Will document remains unacceptable.
He has over 20 years of experience helping people to write their Will and other estate planning documents. He has been interviewed by many of the major news media outlets and has contributed to articles in most leading publications. He has also contributed to a number of financial planning books.
Throughout his career, Tim has written extensively on the subject of Will writing and estate planning.
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