Mirror Wills
Mirror wills for couples in London — matching wills that leave everything to each other and then to chosen beneficiaries. Cost-effective, legally robust protection for married couples and civil partners.
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Up to 3 vetted estate planning specialists will contact you within 24 hours
Mirror Wills: What You Need to Know
Mirror wills are two separate but matching wills — one for each partner — that leave everything to each other first, and then to the same chosen beneficiaries. They are the standard recommendation for married couples, civil partners, and cohabiting couples who share the same wishes for their estate.
For cohabiting couples in particular, mirror wills are essential. The intestacy rules do not recognise unmarried partners — without a will, a partner receives nothing from your estate regardless of how long you have lived together. Mirror wills correct this and ensure both partners have proper legal protection.
Our matched will writers draft mirror wills that are legally robust, clearly differentiated where circumstances require, and reviewed jointly with both partners to ensure the provisions truly reflect what both of you want. The process is straightforward and typically completed within two weeks.
Benefits of Mirror Wills
Protection for Unmarried Partners
The intestacy rules offer no protection to unmarried partners. Mirror wills give both partners legal certainty that their estate passes to each other, not to the state or distant relatives.
Flexibility for Both Partners
As separate legal documents, mirror wills can be changed by either partner independently after the first death. This flexibility — absent from joint wills — means the surviving partner can update their provisions as circumstances change.
Protection for Children
Mirror wills typically provide for assets to pass to children after the second death. Combined with appropriate trust provisions, this ensures assets reach the intended beneficiaries even if the surviving partner remarries or circumstances change.
Cost-Effective Protection
Mirror wills as a pair are substantially cheaper than two independent single wills because much of the consultation and drafting work is shared. Most couples achieve complete mutual protection for significantly less than the cost of two separate wills.
Find Mirror Wills Professionals
Specialists for mirror wills covering 83 towns and areas.
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Is Mirror Wills Right for You?
Mirror wills are suitable for:
- Married couples or civil partners who want to leave everything to each other and then to the same beneficiaries
- Cohabiting couples who are not legally married and need wills to protect each other from intestacy
- Couples with children — biological, adopted, or step-children — needing to ensure the right provisions for all
- Couples with straightforward shared wishes who want a cost-effective, jointly managed solution
- Those who need a starting point for estate planning before adding more complex trust provisions
Our matched estate planning specialists will review your brief and requirements, then provide a clear quote and timeline before any work begins.
How the Process Works
Joint Consultation
Your will writer meets with both partners together to understand your shared wishes, individual assets, and any specific provisions needed. A single consultation typically covers everything needed for both wills.
Drafting Both Wills
Two matching wills are drafted, with any differences in personal assets or specific bequests properly handled within each document. Both drafts are provided for review simultaneously.
Review and Approval
Both partners review their respective wills. Any amendments are incorporated before the final version is produced. Questions at this stage are encouraged — your will writer should ensure both of you fully understand every provision.
Execution
Both wills are formally signed and witnessed in accordance with the Wills Act 1837. Your will writer advises on independent witnessing to ensure validity. Secure storage advice is provided for both documents.
Mirror Wills Pricing Guide
Fees vary depending on the service and estate complexity. Below are typical costs from specialists in our network. All prices are in GBP.
| Service Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
Mirror Wills | £250 to £550 |
What's Included in the Fee
- Consultation, will drafting, review, signing guidance, secure storage advice
- Joint consultation, two matching wills, review, signing guidance, storage advice
- Consultation, LPA drafting, certificate provider guidance, OPG registration support
- Estate review, trust recommendation, trust drafting, full explanation of implications
- Full asset review, IHT calculation, wills/LPA/trust recommendations, written report
- Grant of probate application, asset collection, HMRC returns, estate distribution
0% Finance Available
Staged payment plans available from most specialists. Many clients prefer to spread the cost of comprehensive estate planning over 6-12 months.
Mirror Wills FAQs
What Our Clients Say
“My husband and I had been meaning to sort our wills for years. The will writer they matched us with made the whole process straightforward — she explained everything clearly, came to our home in Hampstead, and we had our mirror wills signed within two weeks. Couldn't be easier.”
“After my father's health scare, I realised we needed LPAs in place urgently. The specialist matched to us understood the urgency, explained both types of LPA clearly, and had everything registered within the timeframe we needed. Professional and reassuring throughout.”
“We needed a protective property trust to ensure our home would pass to our children rather than be used for care fees. The specialist was knowledgeable, patient, and explained every option. We felt completely informed before making any decisions.”