When couples begin estate planning, one of the most common options they consider is a mirror will. But what exactly is a mirror will, and is it the right choice for your relationship and long-term goals?
If you’re married or in a long-term partnership in Connecticut or New York, here’s what you need to know about mirror wills, how they work, and what alternatives you may want to consider.
What Is a Mirror Will?
A mirror will is a pair of nearly identical wills created by two people—usually spouses or life partners—that reflect the same terms. In most cases, each person:
- Leaves everything to the surviving spouse or partner
- Names the same alternate beneficiaries (typically children or family)
- Appoints the same executor(s)
They are “mirror images” of each other, hence the name.
Example of Mirror Wills
Spouse A’s Will:
“I leave all my assets to my spouse. If my spouse dies before me, I leave everything to our children in equal shares.”
Spouse B’s Will:
“I leave all my assets to my spouse. If my spouse dies before me, I leave everything to our children in equal shares.”
Benefits of Mirror Wills
- Simplicity: Easy to draft and understand for most married couples
- Cost-effective: Typically less expensive than creating complex trusts
- Aligned wishes: Helps ensure both parties are on the same page with their estate plans
- Provides peace of mind: Especially if both spouses agree on how assets should be distributed
Important Considerations & Risks
While mirror wills are a popular option, they aren’t legally binding on the surviving spouse. That means:
- The surviving spouse can change their will after the first partner dies
- There’s no legal obligation to follow the original agreed-upon distribution
- This could cause issues in blended families, where one spouse has children from a previous relationship
- May not provide adequate protection for minor children or disabled dependents without additional planning
Mirror Will vs. Trusts : What’s the Difference?
Mirror wills are relatively straight forward documents that once signed do not require any additional action until one of the spouses has passed.
In contrast, trusts are much more involved and complicated agreements on how assets will be used or distributed. You can have a joint family trust or separate individual trusts, the trusts can be revocable or irrevocable, which carries a host of considerations, and you can have one or more of different types o trusts for different purposes. The possibilities really are endless, and Trusts require thorough planning and accurate drafting to get it right.
Should You and Your Spouse Have Mirror Wills?
Mirror wills can work well for:
- First-time married couples with aligned goals
- Couples with straightforward estates
- Those who want a basic plan in place quickly
However, if you:
- Have children from prior relationships
- Own significant assets or real estate
- Worry about how the surviving spouse may change the will
…you may want to explore trust-based planning, which offer more control.
Need Help Drafting Wills in CT or NY?
At Glouzgal Law, we help couples create custom estate plans that reflect their goals and protect their loved ones—now and in the future. Whether you’re considering mirror wills or want to explore more advanced strategies such as trusts, we’re here to help.
Contact us today for a consultation and start building a plan that gives you peace of mind – 203-885-0500