Mirror Wills UK: The Complete Couples Guide
Mirror wills are the standard arrangement for couples in England and Wales. They are simple, sensible, and affordable. Here is exactly how they work, what they cost, and the one situation where you need something more.
What are mirror wills?
Mirror wills are two separate legal documents — one for each partner — that reflect each other in their core terms. The typical structure is:
- Partner A leaves their entire estate to Partner B, and if B has predeceased them, to their children equally.
- Partner B leaves their entire estate to Partner A, and if A has predeceased them, to their children equally.
Both wills are signed separately, witnessed separately, and stand as independent legal documents. The “mirror” description refers to the symmetry of their terms, not to any legal linking between them.
Who can have mirror wills?
Any two adults can have mirror wills — married couples, civil partners, or cohabiting partners. Mirror wills are especially important for unmarried couples. Under the intestacy rules in England and Wales, a cohabiting partner has no automatic right to inherit anything from their partner’s estate, regardless of how long they have lived together. Without a will, the surviving cohabitee could lose the family home.
Are mirror wills binding on the survivor?
No — and this is the most important thing to understand. Mirror wills are independent documents. When one partner dies, the surviving partner is completely free to rewrite their own will. Nothing stops them leaving the estate to a new partner or excluding the children from a previous relationship.
If you want to lock in the eventual destination of assets — for example, ensuring children from a first marriage always benefit regardless of whether the survivor remarries — you need one of two things:
- A mutual wills agreement (a binding contract not to change your will without consent), or
- A discretionary trust in the will, holding assets for the benefit of the children with the survivor as trustee
Both options require professional legal advice. For a straightforward situation — no children from a previous relationship, aligned interests — mirror wills are the right and proportionate solution.
What mirror wills typically include
Our Mirror Wills Kit provides templates covering:
- Appointment of the partner as sole executor (with an adult child or trusted friend as substitute)
- A full gift of the residuary estate to the partner on first death
- Substitute gift to named children (or grandchildren per stirpes) if the partner predeceases
- Guardianship appointment for minor children
- Attestation clause, signing and witnessing guide
- Glossary of will terminology
Mirror wills vs joint wills
You may have heard of a “joint will” — a single document signed by both partners. Joint wills are rarely used in England and Wales and are generally not recommended by solicitors, as they create complications on the first death (the probate process becomes complex and the survivor cannot easily update the document). Mirror wills achieve the same practical outcome with none of the legal complications.
What mirror wills cost
| Option | Cost | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| WillSafe Mirror Wills Kit | £59.99 | 2 will templates, signing guide, glossary |
| WillSafe Couples Essentials Bundle | £119.99 | Mirror wills + LPA guides + Letter of Wishes + Funeral Wishes (×2) |
| Solicitor (mirror wills) | £300–£800 | Professionally drafted, varies by complexity |
Frequently asked questions
What are mirror wills?
Mirror wills are two separate wills — one for each partner — that are almost identical in their terms. Typically, each partner leaves everything to the other on first death, then to the same substitute beneficiaries (usually children) if the other partner has already died. They are called mirror wills because they reflect each other.
Are mirror wills legally binding on the surviving partner?
No. Mirror wills are separate, independent documents. When one partner dies, the surviving partner is free to change their own will — the mirror arrangement does not legally bind them. If you want to lock in the eventual destination of assets (e.g. ensuring children from a previous relationship inherit), you need a mutual wills agreement or a trust — speak to a solicitor if this applies to you.
Can unmarried couples have mirror wills?
Yes. Mirror wills are available to any two people — married couples, civil partners, or cohabiting couples. This is particularly important for cohabiting couples because, unlike married couples, cohabitees have no automatic inheritance rights under the intestacy rules. Without a will, an unmarried partner receives nothing from your estate regardless of how long you have been together.
Do mirror wills have to be identical?
No — they mirror each other in broad terms but can differ in details. For example, each partner might name different friends as substitute executors, or leave specific personal items to different people. What makes them mirror wills is the core structure: leave everything to each other first, then to the same ultimate beneficiaries.
What happens to mirror wills if we divorce?
Divorce does not revoke a will, but it does cancel any gifts to your former spouse and removes them as executor (s18A Wills Act 1837). The rest of your will — including any gifts to children — remains intact. You should still write a new will after divorce. Marriage revokes any existing will entirely (s18 Wills Act 1837), so if either partner remarries, their existing will — including their mirror will — is automatically cancelled.
How much do mirror wills cost?
Our Mirror Wills Kit costs £59.99 and includes two full will templates (one for each partner), step-by-step signing instructions, and a witnessing guide. Solicitors typically charge £300–£800 for mirror wills. Our Couples Essentials Bundle (£119.99) includes the mirror wills plus matching LPA guidance packs, Letter of Wishes templates, and Funeral Wishes Planners for both partners.
Mirror Wills Kit for couples
Two professionally drafted will templates, one for each partner. Plain-English signing guide included. For the complete couples estate plan, the Couples Essentials Bundle includes mirror wills, LPA guidance, Letter of Wishes, and Funeral Wishes Planners for both partners.