Types of Wills UK: Single, Mirror, Trust & Living

What this document is

A will is a legal document that sets out what you want to happen to your estate, your money, property, possessions and sometimes digital assets, after you die. In England and Wales, the core rules come from the Wills Act 1837, and section 9 in particular sets out the formalities that make a will valid: it must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people who are present at the same time.

Wills in Scotland and Northern Ireland follow slightly different rules, so if you live there or hold assets there the position can be different. Within that framework, people tend to choose between a few broad styles of will depending on their circumstances.

A single will covers one person. Mirror wills are a matching pair for a couple. Wills containing trusts are used when you want to control how and when beneficiaries receive something, rather than handing it over outright. And living wills deal with medical treatment rather than money. Choosing between them is really a question of what problem you're trying to solve.

How to use this document

1. Take stock of what you actually own. Before you can decide what type of will you need, you need a realistic picture of your estate. That means property, savings, pensions, life policies, investments, business interests, vehicles and anything of meaningful sentimental or financial value. Note down any joint assets too, because these often pass outside your will by survivorship.
2. Think about who depends on you. The right type of will is heavily influenced by your family shape. A couple with no children from previous relationships will often find mirror wills straightforward. If you have stepchildren, a second spouse, or children from an earlier relationship, mirror wills alone can leave gaps, and a will containing a trust may protect everyone involved more fairly.
3. Decide whether control matters more than simplicity. A straightforward gift is quick and clean, but it gives the beneficiary full ownership the moment probate completes. If you're worried about a young beneficiary, a vulnerable relative, future divorces, or care home fees eating into what you leave behind, a trust within your will can give your executors more flexibility over timing and conditions.
4. Separate medical wishes from financial wishes. A living will, more properly called an advance decision under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, deals with refusing specific medical treatment if you lose capacity. It sits alongside a conventional will rather than replacing it. If end-of-life treatment matters to you, treat this as a separate document and consider a lasting power of attorney for health and welfare as well.
5. Get the formalities right, and review regularly. Whichever route you choose, the signing and witnessing rules in section 9 of the Wills Act 1837 must be followed or the will can fail entirely. Once signed, store the original somewhere safe and tell your executors where to find it. Revisit the will after any major life event: marriage, divorce, a new child, a house purchase, or the death of a beneficiary.