Mirror Will

What is a Mirror Will?

Couples use mirror Wills to simplify how their estate will be distributed after they die. Married couples, unmarried couples, or those in civil partnerships often use these to plan their inheritance together.

With a mirror Will, both partners will each create their own Will. One partner creates a Will, and then a mirror Will is made to match it. Therefore, the content in each Will is almost identical.

In a mirror Will, you will:

• Give instructions to how you wish for your estate to be distributed after you pass away.
• Outline what will happen to the estate if both partners pass away.
• Make arrangements for any children or dependants if both partners pass away.

A mirror Will can be straightforward to produce with the help of a Will writing solicitor.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2743 481 to book your Will writing appointment today and get peace of mind.

What is an ‘Estate’?

An “estate” refers to the assets and property owned by someone who has died. If you don’t have a Will, the law decides who gets your property, money, belongings, and even your pets.

If you die without a Will and have no living family members entitled under the rules of intestacy, everything goes to the Crown. But with a valid Will, your estate is shared according to your wishes.

Advantages of a Mirror Will

A mirror Will can have the following benefits:

• They can be changed at any time, even after the death of one of the parties. This is useful for young couples and blended families who may need to make changes to their wishes in the future.

• They can be a more cost-effective option compared to making separate single wills.
• It can simplify the process of writing and executing a Will.
• You could receive financial benefits such exemptions from paying inheritance tax.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2743 481 to discuss your options and book your Will writing appointment today.

What Are the Responsibilities of a Surviving Spouse?

The responsibilities and entitlements of a surviving spouse regarding a mirror Will are determined by the Will’s contents. Commonly, the surviving spouse’s roles and rights are as follows:

Executor: It is common for the surviving spouse or partner to be the executor of the estate. They will manage and distribute the deceased’s estate according to the Will. This may include paying inheritance tax, dealing with probate, paying off debts and dealing with any trusts.

You can instruct a solicitor to be the executor of an estate. You can also get advice from a solicitor on the best steps to take for your situation.

Debts and Liabilities: The executor must make sure that any debts or financial duties of the deceased are paid from the estate.

Guardianship: Should the mirror Will contain provisions regarding the care of children, the surviving spouse might be tasked with assuming the role of legal guardian for those children.

How to Protect Your Mirror Will

A good way to protect your estate is to set up a trust. Creating a mirror Will with an asset protection trust involves a legal arrangement that trustees manage. They will oversee the trust and must carry out the wishes set in the Will, reducing the likelihood of family disputes.

A trust can also include a property, which is hugely beneficial in keeping an estate within a family line.

Learn more on Trust Wills.

How Much Does a Mirror Will Cost?

Find a list of our Will writing services here.

The fee covers:

• An initial meeting to discuss your needs.
• Guidance on your available options.
• Drafting your Will and sending it to you for review.
• A follow-up meeting to finalize and sign your Will.
• Providing you with a signed copy of your Will.
• Safekeeping the original document on your behalf.
• Once we have all the information we need from you, we will draft your Will. We aim to send it to you for review within 14 days.

After you approve your Will, we will schedule another meeting to sign it. Most Wills are typically completed and signed within a few weeks.