Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Fairest of them All?
In the first of a two-part series, Teressa McDonald, Head of Legal Services here at Active Wills, begins to demystify emerging confusion around whether Mirror Wills are the right choice for couples …
Last week we became aware of some solicitors making claims around Mirror Wills no longer being relevant, implying that they are a cheap trick for Will writers to double their profit. The truth is that there are some circumstances where Mirror Wills are not the best choice for couples, but many cases where they remain the ideal solution. Mirror Wills are still relevant and are certainly not cheap tricks.
My intention with this quick blog is simply to:
- Provide an accurate definition of a Mirror Will
- Explain that, by simply ticking the option to have one of our expert, experienced Will writers do a legal check on your Mirror Wills, you can rest assured that you have made the right choice (we will advise if two well-crafted Single Wills or a Protective Will Property Trust would serve you better and provide a full refund on your Mirror Wills, two Single Wills for the same price or a discount on a Protective Property Will Trust - if this is so)
What are Mirror Wills?
Mirror Wills are two separate Wills made by a husband, wife or registered civil partners that are almost identical. Couples making Mirror Wills leave everything to each other, or, if they both die together, to their children should they have any.
When making a Will using our Wills online Mirror Will template you will see that each partner gets to specify who they want to:
- Deal with their estate when they die (be their executors)
- Look after their children in the event that they die together (become their childrens’ legal guardians
- Inherit specific possessions.
How do we know Mirror Wills are the right choice for us?
Whilst it is true that there are some situations in which Mirror Wills are not the best choice for couples, e.g., couples from blended families (where one or both have children from previous relationships), there are also some situations where they remain the best choice.
I will clarify in detail when a Mirror Will is not the right choice in another blog later this week. In the meantime, if you are in doubt, click the chat line to the bottom left of this page and one of our expert advisors can guide you.
Or, click the Legal Check option when writing your online Mirror Will. Our Will writing experts will advise you of an alternative solution and provide a full refund, or two Single Wills for the same price, or a discount on a Protective Will Property Trust if a Mirror Will is not the correct solution to your particular needs. Read Part 2 of our Mirror Wills Demystified series.
If you are single and want to make your Will online now - Start a Single Will
If you are in a relationship and want to make a Mirror Will online now - Start a Mirror Will
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If you're still not sure what's right for you and would like advice from our customer services team - click the Chat Online Now button below
