Single will or Mirror wills: compare the services

What is the Single will service?

A Single will is for one person. It records who should deal with your estate and who should inherit. It can also name guardians for children under 18.

The name refers to one person using the service. The questions and solicitor review still consider that person's circumstances and wishes.

What are mirror wills?

Mirror wills are two separate wills, one for each partner in a couple, that reflect each other's wishes. Typically, each partner leaves everything to the other, with the same backup beneficiaries (usually their children) if the other has already died.

Despite what some people think, mirror wills are not joint wills. Each will is a separate legal document that belongs to one person. They just happen to contain matching provisions.

When to choose mirror wills

Mirror wills work well when:

• You and your partner want to leave everything to each other
• You have the same children and want the same backup plan
• Your wishes are straightforward and aligned
• You want a cost-effective solution (mirror wills are usually cheaper than two entirely separate wills)

When mirror wills might not be right

Mirror wills may not suit your situation if:

• You have children from previous relationships and want to provide for them differently
• One partner has significantly more assets than the other
• You want to include trusts or complex provisions
• You disagree about who should inherit

In these cases, each partner may need a separately drafted will to address their individual circumstances.

Can one partner change their mirror will?

Yes. Because mirror wills are two separate documents, either partner can change or revoke their will at any time, even without telling the other. This is an important point to understand.

If your partner dies and you later change your will, there's nothing legally stopping you from diverting the estate away from the agreed beneficiaries. If this is a concern, you might want to discuss trust arrangements with a legal professional.

What about joint wills?

A joint will is a single document signed by two people. Joint wills are generally not recommended in England and Wales because:

• They can create complex legal problems after the first person dies
• The surviving partner may be unable to change the will even when circumstances change
• They can lead to disputes between the surviving partner and the beneficiaries

Mirror wills achieve the same effect as a joint will without these drawbacks.

Cost comparison

| Type | Typical cost | |------|-------------| | Single will | £150 | | Mirror wills | £225 total |

Mirror wills cost £75 less than buying the service separately for two people because the couple completes one coordinated process.

Comparing the services

Mirror wills may suit couples whose wishes are closely aligned. If you need different instructions or tailored advice, the solicitor can explain the available services.

Each person signs a separate will and can review it if their wishes or circumstances change.