Overview
Wills That Work as a Pair
Couples' Wills — often called 'mirror wills' — are two separate wills, one for each partner, drafted at the same time so they coordinate. The most common pattern: everything to my spouse if they survive me; if they don't, everything to our children equally. Each partner signs their own will, but the two documents work as a single estate plan.
Why two wills instead of one? Under Canadian law, each person needs their own will — joint wills are uncommon and often cause more problems than they solve. Mirror wills give each of you the same flexibility (you can change yours later without your partner's consent), while still capturing your shared plan.
Couples' Wills are ideal for first marriages, long-term common-law partnerships, and same-sex partnerships where the estate plan is essentially symmetrical. If your situation is asymmetrical — for example, a blended family where each partner has children from a prior relationship and wants to protect that bloodline — we may recommend a different structure. We flag it on the intake call.
At $1,200 for both wills, Couples' Wills work out to $600 per person — a $200 saving compared to two Basic Wills. Add Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements for both partners in the Couples Full Package ($1,800) and save further.
What is included
- Two coordinated mirror wills, one per partner
- Joint intake call so both partners are on the same page
- Cross-appointed executors and alternate executors
- Guardian designation for minor children, identical in both wills
- Specific bequests for each partner
- Survivorship and disaster clauses (if you both die in the same accident)
- Formal signing and witnessing for both wills in one appointment
- Secure storage of both originals; digital copies for both executors
What is not included
- Two Powers of Attorney (available together with the Couples Full Package)
- Two Representation Agreements (available together with the Couples Full Package)
- Trusts (spousal trusts, disability trusts, second-marriage trusts)
- Prenuptial or cohabitation agreements
The process
Free joint intake call
20-minute call with both partners. We confirm mirror wills fit your situation and lock in the $1,200 fee.
Shared questionnaire
One coordinated form covering household assets, beneficiaries, and your chosen executor and guardian.
Drafting both wills
Drafts delivered in 7–10 business days. We walk through both wills with you together.
Joint signing
Both wills signed and witnessed in one appointment. Both originals stored securely.
Frequently asked questions
Do my partner and I have to leave everything to each other?
No. Mirror wills usually do — that's the typical pattern — but you can each direct your own assets however you want. A common variation: one partner leaves their share of the home to the surviving partner but their personal investments directly to their children.
What if my partner and I disagree on the plan?
Each will is yours. You don't have to match. We routinely draft 'mirror-ish' wills where the basics align but specific bequests differ. If there's a major disagreement, we may suggest individual consultations so each partner gets independent advice.
Can my partner change their will later without telling me?
Yes — each will is independent. If you want to lock in the shared plan (so neither partner can change theirs after the other dies), that's a 'mutual wills' arrangement and requires a separate written agreement. We can draft one for an additional fee, but it's rarely necessary for most couples.
We're a blended family — is this the right option?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Blended families often need to protect children from a prior relationship — meaning your share of the estate goes to your children, not your partner's. We may recommend a spousal trust or a different structure. The intake call is where we figure this out before you commit.
We're common-law, not married. Does that matter?
Not for the wills themselves — a common-law partner you name in your will inherits exactly as you direct. It matters more for what happens without a will: WESA treats spouses who have lived in a marriage-like relationship for 2+ years as 'spouses' for intestacy, but the rules are different than for married couples. Having mirror wills removes all that uncertainty.