Mirror wills

Last reviewed 18 August 2026

Couples most often make their wills as a matched pair — a tidy arrangement, though one whose limits are worth understanding before relying on it.

What they are

Mirror wills are two separate but near-identical wills, typically made by a married or cohabiting couple, in which each leaves their estate to the other and then, on the second death, to the same beneficiaries — usually the children. They are convenient and cheaper than two wholly separate instruments.

The catch to understand

Mirror wills are not binding on the survivor. After the first death, the survivor is free to change their will entirely — to remarry and redirect the estate, for instance. Couples who want to guarantee the eventual destination sometimes use a life-interest trust instead. If certainty matters more than flexibility, take advice before assuming a mirror will secures it.

Sources. General law on mirror wills and testamentary freedom; provider guidance (cited at build).