Mirror Wills vs Mutual Wills - What's the Difference?
- Kylie Cox
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
When couples begin thinking about Wills, they often want to ensure two things:
Their partner is looked after.
Their estate ends up with their chosen loved ones – usually their children.
That’s a perfectly sensible goal. But how do you achieve it?
There are two common types of Wills for couples – Mirror Wills and Mutual Wills – and a third option many people haven’t heard of, which can actually offer the best of both worlds: a Protective Property Trust (PPT) within a Will.
Let’s explore each of them.
Mirror Will.
Mirror Wills are two separate Wills made by a couple – usually spouses or civil partners – that reflect each other’s wishes.
🪞Partner A leaves everything to Partner B, then to the children.
🪞Partner B does the same.
They’re simple, flexible and widely used.
But… Mirror Wills are not legally binding on the survivor. That means if one partner dies, the survivor can:
❌ Change their Will
❌ Leave the entire estate elsewhere
❌ Remarry and leave everything to a new spouse or their family
This can result in what we call sideways disinheritance – where your children lose out because your share of the estate never reaches them.
Mutual Will.
Mutual Wills are much rarer. They are also separate Wills, but the couple makes a binding legal agreement not to change them – even after one of them dies.
That might sound like a great way to prevent sideways disinheritance.
But here’s the problem:
⚠️ Mutual Wills are very rigid
⚠️They can’t be updated – even if your family or finances change
⚠️They often lead to disputes down the line, especially when the survivor’s circumstances evolve
Because of this, Mutual Wills are not usually recommended. They can feel appealing for those worried about their partner changing things after they’re gone, but the legal and practical downsides usually outweigh the benefits.
Protective Property Trust (PPT) Will.
Many couples like the idea of a Mutual Will – because they want to protect their children’s inheritance and avoid care fee erosion – but don’t want to tie the survivor’s hands completely.
That’s where Protective Property Trust Wills come in. They provide the perfect middle ground.
Here’s how they work:
🏠 On first death, your share of the family home is placed into a Trust
👩❤️👨 Your partner can carry on living there for life (or as long as you choose)
👧 Your share is protected – and eventually goes to your chosen beneficiaries
🛡️ The Trust can also offer protection from care home assessments and remarriage
Property Protection Trusts give your partner security and flexibility – but crucially, they protect your share of the estate for your loved ones, even if life changes after you’ve gone.
Which One Is Right for You?
Feature | Mirror Will | Mutual Will | PPT Will |
Can survivor change it? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Not core wishes |
Protects against sideways disinheritance? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Recommended for most couples? | ✅ Yes, with a Trust | ❌ Rarely | ✅ Often |
Helps with care fee protection? | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
In Summary…
A Mirror Will is simple, but can be changed after one of you dies.
A Mutual Will is binding, but too inflexible for most modern families.
A Protective Property Trust Will gives you both peace of mind – your partner is protected, and your children’s inheritance is safeguarded.
We're Here to Help
At Toucan Law, we help couples build Wills that work in real life – not just on paper. Whether you’re worried about future partners, falling out with in-laws, or the rising cost of care, we’ll help you put the right protections in place.
📞 Book a free, friendly chat today – online, in person, or over the phone.
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