At First Law Solicitors, we prepare Mirror Wills for married and unmarried couples who want to ensure their assets pass to one another and then to chosen beneficiaries. A Mirror Will provides clarity, protection and peace of mind, helping couples make joint plans for the future while maintaining full legal validity under English law. Our solicitors explain every step in plain English and ensure both Wills are drafted carefully to reflect your shared intentions as well as your individual rights.
Mirror Wills are two separate but matching Wills made by partners or spouses. Each person leaves their estate to the other, and after both partners have passed away, their combined estate is usually distributed to children, relatives or other named beneficiaries. Although Mirror Wills contain identical or closely similar terms, they remain legally independent documents. This means that either partner can change their Will at any time, even after one has died. Our solicitors explain this distinction clearly so that you understand how your Wills operate both together and separately.
Mirror Wills are suitable for most couples with shared assets such as a home, savings or joint accounts, and where both wish to make the same overall provision for loved ones.
Without a valid Will, your estate will be divided according to the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect your wishes or your relationship status. By making Mirror Wills, you and your partner can decide exactly who will inherit, appoint trusted executors and include guardianship instructions for any children.
These Wills also simplify estate administration. When one partner dies, the survivor typically inherits the estate without unnecessary legal delays. After the second partner’s death, the remaining estate is distributed according to the shared instructions recorded in both Wills. Our solicitors ensure that these instructions are drafted precisely so that executors can act with certainty and confidence.
Mirror Wills can also form an important part of inheritance tax planning. Transfers between spouses and civil partners are normally exempt from inheritance tax, and our solicitors ensure that your Wills make full use of these exemptions. We also explain how to structure gifts and bequests so that both partners benefit from the transferable nil-rate band and any applicable residence allowance, helping to protect family wealth for the next generation.
If your circumstances include second marriages, stepchildren or business ownership, we can tailor your Mirror Wills to provide fair and balanced protection for everyone involved.
It is important to review your Wills whenever your circumstances change. Marriage, separation, new children, property purchases or changes in tax law can all affect how your estate should be managed. Our solicitors offer a straightforward review service to check that your Wills remain valid and reflect your current intentions. If an update is needed, we prepare new documents or formal codicils to ensure your Wills remain effective and enforceable. We also explain how changes made by one partner might affect the other’s Will so that both documents continue to operate as intended.
Your Wills and personal information are treated with complete confidentiality. We store documents securely in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, under the oversight of the Information Commission (formerly the ICO). You can choose to store your original Wills with us for safekeeping, and we will provide certified copies to you or your executors upon request. Our secure storage system ensures that your Wills are easily accessible and protected from loss, damage or unauthorised access.
At First Law Solicitors, we believe that clear and reliable Wills are the foundation of sound family planning. Our solicitors combine expertise in estate law with sensitivity and clarity, helping couples create Wills that offer protection, simplicity and long-term reassurance. We take the time to explain every clause, answer questions carefully and make sure both partners fully understand the legal and practical effect of their documents. Our approach is practical, transparent and always centred on your shared priorities.
If you and your partner would like to make Mirror Wills or review existing Wills, contact First Law Solicitors today. We provide professional and confidential Will drafting services for couples across the United Kingdom and overseas.
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