Urgent mirror wills due to terminal illness impacting an unmarried couple

A couple attended our office to give instructions for Mirror Wills. Prior to the meeting, we were advised that one partner had a terminal illness, though the exact prognosis was uncertain. Our priority was to ensure that the meeting remained comfortable, respectful, and professional, allowing the clients to focus on their planning without unnecessary pressure.

Mirror Wills are two separate wills created by two individuals that contain nearly identical terms. They typically, but not necessarily, involve each partner leaving their estate to the other, and then to the same chosen beneficiaries on the second death.

Approach

During our meeting, we carefully addressed the clients’ wishes while acknowledging the sensitivity of their circumstances. We ensured the discussion remained fully centred on their instructions and took time to make sure they felt heard, supported, and reassured throughout the process.

We were able to prepare and execute the Wills within a three-week period. The client care letter was issued on the same day we took their instructions in person. Within a week, we received the signed client care letter and payment, and the following day the draft Wills were prepared and sent to the clients for review. By the end of the second week, the drafts were approved, and we attempted to arrange a signing appointment.

The next day, however, we were informed that one of our clients had been hospitalised. In response, we promptly dispatched the engrossed Wills along with clear instructions for execution. Five days later, we received the fully executed Wills.

Outcome

The Wills were prepared and executed with both speed and empathy. While the client experienced a sudden decline following the initial meeting, having the Wills in place provided enormous relief. If the clients did not have Wills in place on death, the surviving partner would not be entitled to anything under Intestacy even though they had been living together for over twenty years. The surviving partner expressed that the process allowed them to focus on his wellbeing rather than worrying about the legal and financial implications.

By carefully managing sensitive situations and providing clear guidance, we help clients secure their future and focus on what matters most.

Having a professionally prepared Will which is bespoke to your individual needs enables you to feel reassured that your estate will be administered in the way that you have intended after your passing. If there are errors in a Will, these often do not come to light until after the death has occurred when it can be impossible to correct them and, even if they can be corrected the steps to correct them will often be expensive, time consuming and can cause loved one’s unnecessary upset. For peace of mind about your estate, it’s important to entrust a professional to prepare your Will in accordance with your wishes to avoid these problems.