How To Create A Mirror Will

When you make your will using FreeWill, we’ll ask you for your marital status. If you indicate that you’re married or in a domestic partnership, you’ll have the option to create a mirror will for your spouse or domestic partner. For more information about Mirrored Wills, please click here. 

What are mirror wills?

Mirror wills are two wills that are almost entirely identical to one another. They’re most commonly used by married couples or long-term partners who have similar wishes for their property after they pass away. If your partner’s wishes are similar to your own, you can mirror your will for them, which can save them time. 

How to create a mirror will using FreeWill 

Once you complete your will, you’ll be asked during the final steps of the 'Review' stage whether or not you would like to make a mirror will, as seen in the example below: 

If you select ' Yes,' a nearly identical last will and testament will be created for your partner. You can access both your and your partner’s wills in your account. From there, you can view, download, and print your documents and follow the attached instructions to sign and complete your wills according to the laws in your state. Before signing, you and your partner should read through each of your documents completely to make sure they’re an accurate reflection of your wishes.

If you select ' No,' your partner can make their own will following the same process that you did. This is simple on FreeWill! Learn how to create a new profile in your account to make an un-mirrored will for your partner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I make a mirror will?

It depends. Mirror wills are a quick, convenient way to make a will for your partner with little effort. A mirror will may be a good option if the following are true:

• You’re married or in a domestic partnership 
• You don’t have children with anyone other than your current spouse/partner
• You and your partner completely agree on who should manage your estate and receive your property after you both pass away

Mirror wills aren’t a perfect solution for all couples. If you still have questions about whether a mirror will is right for you, consider speaking with a qualified estate attorney.

Can I use FreeWill to create a mirror will if I’m single?

No. You can only create a mirror will on FreeWill’s platform if you indicate that you are married or in a domestic partnership. Otherwise, you won’t be given the option to create a mirror will in the will-making process.

What happens if I leave a gift to a nonprofit in my will and then mirror my will?

That’s a great question! It depends on whether the nonprofit is a primary beneficiary or a contingent beneficiary.

A beneficiary is a person you name in your will to receive something from your estate (like a piece of property or a cash donation). Beneficiaries can be people — like your spouse or children — or an organization, like your favorite charity.

If you list a nonprofit as a primary beneficiary in your will, this means they’re first in line to receive that gift. For example, say you leave a cash gift of $1,000 for your favorite nonprofit in your will. This is a primary gift.

If you list a nonprofit as a contingent (or secondary) beneficiary, this means they’re second in line to receive the gift. The nonprofit will only receive it if your primary beneficiary can’t. For example, say you leave a cash gift of $1,000 to your sister, with the nonprofit as the secondary beneficiary. If your sister passes away before you, the $1,000 gift will go to the second beneficiary in line — the nonprofit. (When you make your will using FreeWill, we’ll always prompt you to name a secondary beneficiary for every gift.)

If that’s not your intention, you may prefer one of the following approaches: 

1. Make a smaller primary bequest in your will before you mirror it so that the total gift amount is one you’re comfortable with. For example, if you want to donate $100 total, make your gift $50.
2. After you mirror your will, your partner can edit their will in your shared FreeWill account and remove the second gift.

If I make a mirror will for my spouse, can they change any of the information in their will (like their will executor)?

Yes, it’s possible. If you create a mirror will on FreeWill, the information in your will is duplicated into your spouse’s will. That includes who you named as executor (the person who will carry out the wishes in your will) and guardian (the person you want to care for your minor children if you were to pass away).

If your spouse would like to change any of the information in their own will, they can log in to your shared account and make adjustments to their will after you mirror it. At this point, any changes made in either document won’t be reflected in the other.