What are mirror wills?

You may have heard the term ‘mirror wills’, so what does this mean?

‘Mirror wills’ are wills made by two or more people, that are drafted in identical or similar terms.

All individuals who draft a mirror Will have their own Will, it is not a joint Will. 

A joint Will is one where two people have only one Will between them. Joint wills are rarely seen in modern times as they have many disadvantages. 

A mirror will can be changed at any point, they are not legally bound together so one partner can change their will, whilst the other retains theirs. 

This is different to a mutual will whereby a mutual Will cannot be changed after a one party to it has passed away. Mutual wills are not very common due to the restrictions they impose.

Every situation is different therefore a mirror will may work for some but may not be suitable for others. 

It is important to note that if you do not have a will in place, your estate would pass according to the rules of intestacy, which may not be in line with your wishes.

How can Charlton Baker help you?

Here at Charlton Baker we are qualified do deal with all of your Wealth, Will and Probate matters. Please visit our Wealth, Wills & Probate Services page, or contact us for more information. 

Other topics you might find useful:

Why do I need a Will?
Characteristics of a valid Will
How often should I change my Will?
How do I choose an executor for my Will?
What is probate and how does it work?
Why do I need a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?
What happens to limited company shares on the death of a shareholder?
How do you pay Inheritance Tax when you have no access to the funds?