Mirror wills are one of the most common types of will for couples — and one of the most misunderstood. If you and your partner want to leave everything to each other, mirror wills are the simplest and cheapest way to do it.
At CheapWills, mirror wills cost £14.99 for both. That's two separate, legally valid wills. Compare that to Farewill at £160 or a solicitor at £250–£600+.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Are Mirror Wills?
Mirror wills are two separate wills that are nearly identical in their provisions. They "mirror" each other.
A typical set of mirror wills for a married couple with children might say:
Partner A's will:
- Leave everything to Partner B
- If Partner B dies first, leave everything to the children equally
- Name Partner B as executor (with a backup)
- Name Grandparent X as guardian for children under 18
Partner B's will:
- Leave everything to Partner A
- If Partner A dies first, leave everything to the children equally
- Name Partner A as executor (with a backup)
- Name Grandparent X as guardian for children under 18
The wills are nearly identical — just with the names swapped. Each partner has their own legally binding will document.
Mirror Wills Are NOT Joint Wills
This is an important distinction. Mirror wills and joint wills are different things.
Mirror wills: Two separate documents with near-identical provisions. Each partner can change or revoke their will independently at any time.
Joint wills: A single document signed by both partners. When one partner dies, the surviving partner typically cannot change the will. Joint wills are rare, complicated, and generally not recommended.
If a solicitor or service offers you a "joint will," be cautious. Mirror wills are almost always what couples actually want and need.
When Do You Need Mirror Wills?
Mirror wills are right for you if:
You and your partner agree on the big decisions
You both want to leave everything to each other, then to the same beneficiaries (usually your children). You agree on who should be guardians, who should be executors, and how the estate should be distributed.
You're married or in a civil partnership
Mirror wills are most commonly used by married couples and civil partners. They work with the intestacy rules as a safety net — if something went wrong with the wills, intestacy would send the estate to the surviving spouse anyway (for estates under £322,000).
You're unmarried partners who want to protect each other
This is where mirror wills become essential, not just convenient. Unmarried partners have zero automatic inheritance rights under intestacy rules. Without a will, your partner inherits nothing — regardless of how long you've lived together.
Mirror wills ensure each partner is legally provided for. At £14.99 from CheapWills, this is the most important £14.99 any unmarried couple can spend.
You have children and want to name guardians
Both parents naming the same guardian in their mirror wills provides clear, consistent direction for the court if both parents die.
You want to save money
Making mirror wills together is cheaper than making two separate wills. At CheapWills, mirror wills are £14.99 for both — compared to £9.99 each (£19.98) for two individual wills.
When Might You Need Separate Wills Instead?
Mirror wills assume both partners want essentially the same provisions. You need separate (individual) wills if:
You have assets from a previous relationship
If one partner has children from a previous relationship and wants to leave specific assets to them, the wills need to be different — not mirrored.
You disagree on beneficiaries
If one partner wants to leave money to a particular charity and the other doesn't, or if you have different views on how to distribute your estate, separate wills give each partner full control.
You have different family situations
If one partner has elderly parents they want to provide for and the other doesn't, separate wills allow different provisions.
One partner has significantly more assets
If your finances are largely separate and one partner's estate is much larger, you may want different structures. However, for most couples who share finances, mirror wills work perfectly.
What Mirror Wills Typically Include
A standard set of mirror wills covers:
- Revocation clause — revokes all previous wills for each partner
- Executor appointment — typically naming each other, plus a backup
- Main bequest — leaving everything to the surviving partner
- Fallback beneficiaries — who inherits if both partners die (usually children)
- Guardian appointment — who looks after children under 18
- Specific gifts — particular items or cash amounts to named people
- Trust provisions — age at which children can inherit (e.g., 21 instead of 18)
- Funeral wishes — individual preferences for each partner
- Residuary clause — catches anything not specifically mentioned
Mirror Wills Price Comparison
| Provider | Mirror Wills Price | Update Cost |
|---|---|---|
| CheapWills | £14.99 | £9.99 each time |
| FreeWills | Free | Free |
| ActiveWills (promo) | £19–£30 | Free storage |
| LegalWills | ~£80 | Free unlimited |
| Farewill | £160 | £10/yr |
| Which? Wills | £156–£259 | Varies |
| WUHLD | £149.99 | Free lifetime |
| Co-op Legal | £245 | Per revision |
| Solicitors | £250–£600+ | £300+ per change |
CheapWills at £14.99 is the cheapest paid option for mirror wills. FreeWills is free but ad-supported with upselling.
Common Questions About Mirror Wills
Can one partner change their mirror will without the other knowing?
Yes. Mirror wills are two separate legal documents. Either partner can change or revoke their will at any time without informing the other. This is actually a feature, not a bug — it means neither partner is locked into provisions they no longer want.
If this concerns you, the solution is communication, not legal constraints. Talk to your partner about your wills regularly.
What happens to the surviving partner's will after one partner dies?
Nothing automatically. The surviving partner's will remains valid and in effect. However, many people update their will after their partner dies — circumstances have changed, and the provisions may no longer be appropriate.
Marriage doesn't revoke a will in this scenario (it only applies to new marriages). But losing a partner often triggers rethinking your estate plans.
Do mirror wills protect against the surviving partner changing everything?
No. After one partner dies, the survivor can make a completely new will leaving everything to someone else. Mirror wills provide no binding obligation on the survivor.
If this is a concern (common in blended families), you need a life interest trust — which is more complex and usually requires a solicitor. For most couples who trust each other, this isn't an issue.
Are mirror wills only for married couples?
No. Any two people can make mirror wills — married couples, civil partners, and unmarried cohabiting partners. In fact, mirror wills are more important for unmarried couples because they have no automatic inheritance rights under intestacy.
Do both partners sign each other's will?
No. Each partner signs only their own will. Each will needs its own two witnesses (though the same witnesses can serve for both wills if you sign at the same time).
Making Mirror Wills with CheapWills
The process at CheapWills is straightforward:
- Choose mirror wills when you start the questionnaire
- Partner A completes their section — personal details, beneficiaries, executors, guardians
- Partner B completes their section — the questionnaire is pre-populated with mirrored provisions, which can be adjusted if needed
- Pay £14.99 for both wills
- Download both wills as PDFs
- Each partner prints, signs and witnesses their own will separately
Both wills are generated from solicitor-approved templates. The entire process takes about 15–20 minutes for both partners.
Join the Waitlist — Mirror Wills £14.99A Note for Unmarried Couples
If you're not married or in a civil partnership, mirror wills aren't just a nice-to-have. They're a necessity.
Under intestacy rules, unmarried partners inherit nothing from each other. It doesn't matter if you've been together 5 years or 50, if you have children together, or if you share a mortgage. Without a will, the law treats you as strangers.
71% of cohabiting couples wrongly believe they have automatic inheritance rights. They don't. The concept of "common law marriage" has no legal standing in England and Wales.
Mirror wills fix this completely. For £14.99, you and your partner are legally protected. Each of you knows that if the worst happens, the other is provided for.
Don't put this off. Make your mirror wills today for £14.99 — it takes about 15 minutes.
Join the Waitlist — Mirror Wills £14.99Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mirror wills cost?
Mirror wills at CheapWills cost £14.99 for both wills. Solicitors typically charge £250–£600+. Farewill charges £160. The cheapest paid option is CheapWills.
Are mirror wills legally binding?
Yes. Each mirror will is a separate, legally binding document that meets the requirements of the Wills Act 1837. They must be printed, signed, and witnessed separately.
Can mirror wills be different from each other?
Slightly, yes. While the core provisions mirror each other, individual provisions can differ — for example, specific gifts of personal items, or different funeral wishes. The key provisions (main beneficiary, fallback beneficiaries, guardians) are typically identical.
Do unmarried couples need mirror wills?
Urgently, yes. Unmarried partners have no automatic inheritance rights. Without a will, your partner inherits nothing from your estate. Mirror wills are the simplest way to protect each other.
What's the difference between mirror wills and mutual wills?
Mirror wills are two similar but independent wills that either partner can change at any time. Mutual wills are a legal agreement that neither partner will change their will after one dies — they're rare, complex, and not recommended for most couples.
Should we make mirror wills or individual wills?
Mirror wills if you agree on major provisions (who inherits, guardians, executors). Individual wills if you have different wishes, assets from previous relationships, or different beneficiaries.