Mirror Wills UK — Complete Guide for Couples
Mirror Wills UK — Complete Guide for Couples
Mirror wills are the most common type of will for married couples and civil partners in the UK. They’re simple, affordable and ensure that both partners’ wishes are documented. In this complete guide, we’ll explain exactly what mirror wills are, how they work, how much they cost, and how to set them up — whether online or with a solicitor.
What Are Mirror Wills?
Mirror wills are two separate wills — usually made by married couples or civil partners — that are nearly identical in content. The key feature is that each person leaves their estate to the other, with the same backup beneficiaries (usually their children) if the other has already died. The wills “mirror” each other rather than being a single shared document.
It’s important to understand that mirror wills are two completely separate legal documents. Each person has their own will, signs it themselves, and can change it independently. They are not a “joint will” — they simply contain similar provisions.
Example of a Mirror Will
Here’s a typical example:
- Husband’s will: “I leave everything to my wife. If she dies before me, I leave everything to our children equally.”
- Wife’s will: “I leave everything to my husband. If he dies before me, I leave everything to our children equally.”
The wills are identical in structure — they “mirror” each other — but each is a separate, independently signed document.
Mirror Wills vs Other Types of Will
How do mirror wills compare to other will types? Here’s a comparison:
| Will Type | Description | Best For | Price (Online) | Price (Solicitor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirror wills | Two nearly identical wills for couples | Married/civil partners with same wishes | £75–£95 | £300–£500+ |
| Single will | One individual will | Single people, or couples with different wishes | £29–£55 | £150–£300 |
| Joint will | A single will signed by both parties | Very rare — not recommended | N/A | £250+ |
| Mutual will | Mirror wills with a legal agreement not to change | Ensuring beneficiaries can’t be changed after first death | N/A | £500+ |
| Trust will | Will that includes trust provisions | Complex estates, IHT planning, protecting assets | N/A | £500–£1,000+ |
Mirror wills are by far the most popular choice for UK couples because they’re simple, affordable and cover the most common scenario: leaving everything to your partner, then to your children.
How Mirror Wills Work
Here’s how mirror wills work in practice:
First death — When one partner dies, everything passes to the surviving partner. In most cases, this transfer is exempt from Inheritance Tax due to the spouse exemption.
Second death — When the surviving partner dies, the estate passes to the backup beneficiaries (usually children). At this point, Inheritance Tax may be payable if the estate exceeds the threshold.
Independence — Each partner can change their will at any time without the other’s consent. This is an important point — see the pros and cons section below.
Key Features of Mirror Wills
- Two separate documents — Each partner has their own will
- Identical structure — Both wills have the same beneficiaries and provisions
- Spouse exemption — Transfers between spouses are free of Inheritance Tax
- Independently changeable — Either partner can change their will at any time
- Executor appointments — Each partner can name their own executors
How Much Do Mirror Wills Cost?
Mirror wills are cheaper than buying two separate single wills because the provider only needs to draft one set of provisions (then duplicate them with the names swapped). Here’s how the costs compare:
| Provider | Single Will | Mirror Wills | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farewill | £49 | £90 | £8 |
| Kwil | £39 | £75 | £3 |
| Beyond | £45 | £85 | £5 |
| WillHill | £55 | £95 | £15 |
| Tesco | £29 | £59 | £1 |
| Typical solicitor | £150–£300 | £300–£500 | £0–£100 |
Our recommendation: Farewill offers the best value for mirror wills at £90 (£45 per person), with expert checking, unlimited free updates and cloud storage included.
How to Set Up Mirror Wills
Option 1: Online (Recommended for Most Couples)
Setting up mirror wills online is quick, easy and affordable. Here’s how:
- Choose a provider — We recommend Farewill (£90 for mirror wills)
- Complete the questionnaire — Each partner completes the questionnaire (about 15 minutes each)
- Expert review — Farewill’s will specialists review both wills
- Download — Both wills are available for download
- Sign and witness — Each partner signs their own will in the presence of two independent witnesses
The online process is the same as for a single will — the provider simply generates two documents based on the same information. Farewill’s questionnaire will ask whether you want to create mirror wills and then guide both partners through the process.
Option 2: Solicitor (For Complex Situations)
If your situation is complex (Inheritance Tax planning, trusts, overseas assets, blended families), use a solicitor. They can provide tailored advice and structure your wills to minimise tax and protect your assets. See our online will vs solicitor guide for more guidance.
Mirror Wills Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Simple and straightforward — covers the most common scenario
- Affordable — cheaper than two single wills
- Spouse exemption from Inheritance Tax on first death
- Both partners' wishes are documented
- Easy to set up online (15 minutes per person)
- Can include backup beneficiaries (children, charities)
- Clear and easy for executors to understand
❌ Cons
- Either partner can change their will independently after the first death
- No guarantee that the surviving partner won't remarry and change beneficiaries
- Not suitable for complex estates or Inheritance Tax planning
- Don't include trust provisions
- Can be problematic in blended families
- Not the same as a mutual will (which has a binding agreement not to change)
The Main Risk with Mirror Wills
The biggest concern with mirror wills is that either partner can change their will independently at any time. This means:
- After the first death, the surviving partner can change their will to leave everything to someone else (a new spouse, for example)
- There’s no legal obligation to keep the “mirror” provisions in place
- Children could be inadvertently disinherited if the surviving partner remarries and changes their will
If this is a concern, consider a mutual will — a type of mirror will with a legal agreement that neither partner will change their will without the other’s consent. Mutual wills are more complex and require a solicitor, but they provide a legal guarantee that the agreed beneficiaries will inherit.
Mirror Wills and Inheritance Tax
Mirror wills can be an effective part of Inheritance Tax planning, but they have limitations:
- Spouse exemption — Transfers between spouses are completely free of Inheritance Tax, so the first death doesn’t trigger a tax bill
- Transferable nil-rate band — On the second death, the surviving partner can use both their own nil-rate band (£325,000) and the deceased partner’s unused nil-rate band, potentially giving a total of £650,000 tax-free
- Residence nil-rate band — If you pass a main residence to direct descendants (children or grandchildren), there’s an additional allowance of £175,000 per person, potentially giving a total of £500,000 per person (£1 million per couple)
However, for estates above these thresholds, you’ll need more sophisticated planning (trusts, gifts, life insurance) that mirror wills alone can’t provide. A solicitor or financial adviser can help with this.
What to Include in Your Mirror Wills
When setting up mirror wills, make sure you cover:
- Executors — Name at least one executor (preferably two) in each will. Many couples name each other as first executor, with a backup.
- Guardians — If you have children under 18, appoint guardians in both wills.
- Specific gifts — Any particular items or sums of money you want to leave to specific people or charities.
- Residual estate — Who inherits everything else (usually the partner, then children as backup).
- Backup beneficiaries — What happens if both of you die together (e.g., in a car accident). This is crucial — without backup beneficiaries, the rules of intestacy apply.
- Charitable donations — If you want to leave gifts to charity, specify them in both wills.
- Funeral wishes — While not legally binding, you can include your preferences for burial or cremation.
FAQ — Mirror Wills
What is the difference between mirror wills and mutual wills?
Mirror wills are two separate wills with similar provisions. Either partner can change their will independently at any time. Mutual wills are mirror wills with an additional legal agreement that neither partner will change their will without the other’s consent. Mutual wills are binding and harder to change; mirror wills are flexible.
How much do mirror wills cost in the UK?
Online mirror wills typically cost £59–£95 (Farewill charges £90). Solicitor-drafted mirror wills cost £300–£500 or more. See our full pricing comparison for details.
Can I change my mirror will later?
Yes. With standard mirror wills, either partner can change their will at any time without the other’s consent. Farewill offers unlimited free updates, so you can modify your will whenever your circumstances change.
What happens if we both die at the same time?
Your mirror wills should include backup beneficiaries (usually your children) for this scenario. If neither will specifies what happens if you die together, the rules of intestacy will apply. This is why it’s crucial to name backup beneficiaries.
Are mirror wills suitable for blended families?
Mirror wills can work for blended families, but they require careful thought. The main risk is that after the first death, the surviving partner could change their will and inadvertently disinherit children from a previous relationship. For blended families, a trust will or mutual will (drafted by a solicitor) may be more appropriate. See our online will vs solicitor guide for more.
Can same-sex couples get mirror wills?
Yes. Mirror wills are available to all couples, including married same-sex couples and civil partners. The legal provisions are identical.
Our Recommendation
For most UK couples, mirror wills through an online service are the best choice. They’re simple, affordable and cover the most common scenario. Our top recommendation is Farewill, which offers mirror wills for £90 (£45 per person) with expert checking, unlimited free updates and cloud storage included.
However, if you have a complex estate — Inheritance Tax considerations, overseas assets, blended families, or a desire to set up trusts — you should use a solicitor. The extra cost is justified by the tailored advice and more sophisticated estate planning they provide.
Whatever you choose, don’t put it off. Mirror wills take about 30 minutes to set up online (15 minutes per person) and give you both the peace of mind of knowing your wishes will be carried out.
👉 Set up mirror wills with Farewill for £90
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Ready to write your will? Here are our recommended providers:
- Make a Will Online — Simple online will from just £[X]. Awin verified.
- ActiveWills — Professional will writing with expert review. Awin verified.
- Farewill — The UK’s most popular online will service from £49.