http://www.honeyfriends.co.uk/JoshuaHowe-Jones

Honey Legal Joshua Howe-Jones Midlands, The old magistrates’ Court, Cheshire street, Market Drayton (2025)

Q: What is the address?

The Old Magistrates’ Court, Cheshire Street

05/09/2025

What is Estate Planning, and why does it matter?

Estate planning isn’t just for the rich. It’s not something you wait to do until retirement. It’s for anyone who wants to make life easier for the people they love, no matter their age or income.

At its heart, estate planning means putting a plan in place for the “what ifs” in life so your family isn’t left struggling or guessing when the time comes.

Here’s what it can involve:

✔ Writing a Will – So you decide who inherits what, not the law.
✔ Choosing legal guardians – If you have children, you can decide who would care for them if anything happened to you.
✔ Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) – So someone you trust can make decisions for you if you become unwell or lose mental capacity.
✔ Making sure your property, money, and personal belongings are passed on the way you want.
✔ Avoiding family stress – A clear plan helps reduce confusion, delays, and disputes.

It’s not just about money. It’s about protecting your loved ones, avoiding legal battles, and making sure your voice is heard, even when you’re no longer here or able to speak for yourself.

Estate planning gives you peace of mind and it gives your family certainty, clarity, and security at a time when they’ll need it most.

📩 Message me on Facebook today if you'd like to have a friendly, no-pressure chat about how to get started.

01/09/2025

👨‍👩‍👧 Have you named guardians for your children in your Will?

If you’re a parent, making a Will isn’t just about money, it’s about making sure your children would be safe and cared for by the people you trust most.

Without legal guardians named in a Will, your children could be placed in temporary care, and a court would decide who looks after them long-term. That decision might not be the one you would have made.

Putting this in place gives you peace of mind, and gives your children security for the future, no matter what happens.

📩 Message me on Facebook today if you’d like to get started or ask a question. I’m here to help.

29/08/2025

🩺 What would happen if you couldn’t make decisions about your own health or care?

It’s not something anyone wants to think about but illness, accidents, or cognitive decline can happen at any age. A Health & Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) lets you choose someone you trust to step in and make decisions about your care, treatment, and daily life if you’re ever unable to do so.

Without this legal document, doctors and social services could make decisions without your family's input. Even your closest loved ones may have no say.

A Health & Welfare LPA allows your chosen person to:
✔ Decide on care, support, or medical treatment
✔ Choose where you live if you can’t decide yourself
✔ Speak up for you when you can’t

This isn’t just about paperwork, it’s about peace of mind. Let’s talk about getting yours in place today.

📩 Message me on Facebook if you’d like to chat or book in.

27/08/2025

💳 Who would manage your money if you couldn’t?

If something unexpected happened to you, an illness, accident, or diagnosis, would your loved ones be able to access your bank accounts, pay your bills, or make financial decisions on your behalf?

The answer is usually no, unless you’ve made a Property & Financial Affairs LPA.

This legal document lets you appoint someone you trust to step in and handle your financial matters if you lose the ability to do so yourself. That includes:

✔ Managing bank accounts and savings
✔ Paying bills and handling day-to-day money matters
✔ Making decisions about your home, mortgage, or rent
✔ Even selling your property if needed

This is not just about money, it’s about giving your family the legal tools they need to protect your interests. Without it, they may have to apply to the Court of Protection, which can take months and cost thousands.

Let’s make sure you’re prepared.

📩 Message me on Facebook to book a free chat.

25/08/2025

🧾 If you’re a single parent, your Will might be one of the most important documents you ever write.

Without a clear plan in place, your children’s future could be left in the hands of the courts. That includes who looks after them, how their inheritance is managed, and what happens if anything unexpected were to happen to you.

As a single parent, your estate plan should:
✔ Appoint a trusted guardian for your children
✔ Protect their inheritance until the right time
✔ Make your wishes legally binding

You’ve worked hard to give your children the best. Let’s make sure they’re protected, no matter what.

📩 Message me on Facebook if you’d like to put the right plan in place.

22/08/2025

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Blended families are full of love, but they can also make estate planning a little more complicated.

If you or your partner have children from previous relationships, it's important to make sure your Will reflects what you want – not just what the law assumes. Without a clear, legally binding plan, the people you love most could be left out or face unnecessary disputes.

A properly written Will (and in some cases, an LPA) can give you full control over:
✔ Who inherits and when
✔ Protecting children from all relationships
✔ Preventing confusion, delay, or disagreement

Everyone’s family is unique – your estate plan should be too.

📩 Message me on Facebook if you'd like a chat about how to get the right plan in place.

20/08/2025

📋 Is your estate plan sorted?
Estate planning might sound complicated, but it really comes down to a few simple steps to make sure your family is protected and your wishes are followed.

Here are the key things to have in place:

✅ Your Essential Estate Planning Checklist:
🔹 A Will
This outlines who gets what and who will carry out your wishes. It can also name guardians for your children.

🔹 Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
These give someone you trust the legal power to make decisions if you can’t. There are two types:

One for your finances
One for your health and care

🔹 Naming Guardians
If you have children under 18, this is one of the most important things you can do in your Will.

🔹 Choosing Executors
Pick someone reliable to handle your affairs after you’re gone – or let us take that weight off your loved ones.

🔹 Keeping Things Up to Date
Life changes. So should your plan. Marriage, children, buying a house, or divorce are all signs it’s time for a review.

💡 Why this matters
Without these basics in place, your family could face delays, stress, and confusion. A clear plan brings peace of mind to everyone involved.

Not sure if your plan is complete? I’d be happy to talk it through. Message me today to get started.

15/08/2025

🧠 What would happen if you lost the ability to make your own decisions?
It’s not something any of us want to imagine – but accidents, illness, or sudden loss of capacity can happen at any time. The real question is: who would step in to make important decisions for you?

Many people wrongly believe their next of kin would automatically take over. Unfortunately, the law says otherwise. Without a legally registered Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), even your closest loved ones could be locked out of managing your finances or making decisions about your care.

What is an LPA?
An LPA is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to do so yourself.

There are two types of LPA, and they each cover different areas of your life:

🔹 Property and Financial Affairs LPA
This allows your chosen person (your attorney) to manage your bank accounts, pay bills, collect benefits or pensions, and even sell your property if needed.

🔹 Health and Welfare LPA
This lets your attorney make decisions about medical treatment, care needs, where you live, and your daily routines. It only comes into effect if you are no longer able to make these decisions yourself.

Why is having an LPA so important?
✅ It gives you control – you choose who acts for you, rather than leaving it to the courts
✅ It prevents delays – without an LPA, families often face long legal processes to gain permission
✅ It protects your wishes – your attorneys can act in line with what you want
✅ It reduces stress for loved ones – they won’t have to guess or fight through red tape during a crisis

What could happen without one?
If you lose capacity without an LPA, your family would have to apply to the Court of Protection for the right to act on your behalf. This process can take months and cost thousands, all while important bills or care decisions hang in the balance.

By the time permission is granted, it may already be too late for some decisions to be made in your best interest.

So when should you make one?
The best time is now, while you’re well and able to choose. LPAs are not just for older people – they’re for anyone who wants to protect their future and make life easier for those they love.

📩 Message me on Facebook to find out how to put your LPAs in place quickly and easily. I’ll guide you through the process and make sure your future is protected.

13/08/2025

💬 Think you don’t need an LPA? Think again.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is one of the most misunderstood parts of estate planning. Too many people delay it because they believe one of the common myths below. The truth? Waiting could cost you time, money, and control when you need it most.

Let’s clear a few things up…

❌ Myth 1: “LPAs are only for the elderly”
Truth: Accidents and illness can strike at any age. A stroke, head injury, or diagnosis like dementia can leave someone unable to make their own decisions overnight. If you don’t have an LPA in place beforehand, it’s too late and your loved ones will have to apply through the courts just to help you.

❌ Myth 2: “My partner can make decisions for me if something happens”
Truth: Your spouse or partner is not automatically allowed to manage your finances or make health decisions unless they’ve been legally appointed as your attorney. Without an LPA, they could be left helpless while waiting for a court order.

❌ Myth 3: “I don’t have enough money to need one”
Truth: LPAs aren’t just about large estates or property. They’re about everyday life, managing bills, bank accounts, medical care, even choosing where you live. Everyone should have the right person in place to speak up for them if they can’t do it themselves.

❌ Myth 4: “I can set it up when I need it”
Truth: You can only make an LPA while you have full mental capacity. Once that’s gone, it’s too late. The process of appointing someone then becomes more expensive, slower, and stressful for your loved ones.

So, what should you do?
✅ Think ahead
✅ Appoint someone you trust
✅ Make sure it’s legally recognised
✅ Give your family peace of mind when it matters most

📩 Message me on Facebook today if you’d like to explore setting up your LPAs or just want to understand how it works. I’ll make the process simple and personal.

11/08/2025

🧠 What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?
Have you ever thought about who would make decisions for you if you were no longer able to?

A Lasting Power of Attorney, or LPA, is a legal document that allows someone you trust to make important decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity or simply need help managing things.

Losing capacity can happen gradually through conditions like dementia, or suddenly after an accident or illness. If it happens and you haven’t set up an LPA, your loved ones would need to go through the courts just to help you, a process that can be long, expensive, and incredibly stressful.

There are two types of LPAs, and each serves a different purpose.

💳 1. Property and Financial Affairs LPA
This type of LPA lets you appoint someone to manage your money and property.

Your chosen person, known as your attorney, can:
✔ Pay your bills and manage your bank accounts
✔ Collect benefits or pensions on your behalf
✔ Buy or sell property
✔ Handle day-to-day financial tasks

You can choose whether they act immediately with your permission, or only if you lose capacity.

❤️ 2. Health and Welfare LPA
This LPA covers medical care, personal welfare, and living arrangements.

With this in place, your attorney can make decisions about:
✔ Medical treatment, including life-sustaining care
✔ Where you live and who you live with
✔ What you eat, wear, and daily routines
✔ Access to social and community care

This type of LPA only comes into effect if you can no longer make decisions for yourself.

🕰️ When Should You Set One Up?
The short answer is: as soon as possible.

LPAs can only be made while you still have mental capacity, meaning you understand what you’re doing and what the document allows. If you wait until something happens, it’s too late.

People often think LPAs are only needed later in life, but illness and accidents can happen at any age. It’s not just about old age, it’s about being prepared.

⚖️ Why You Should Consider One Now
Without an LPA, your loved ones will have no automatic right to help you, even if they are your next of kin. They would need to apply to the Court of Protection, which can take months and cost thousands of pounds.

By setting up LPAs in advance, you:
✔ Stay in control by choosing who helps you
✔ Avoid court delays and legal costs
✔ Make life easier for your family during a difficult time
✔ Protect your wishes in both health and financial matters

Think of it as an insurance policy for your independence and peace of mind.

📩 Message me on Facebook to learn more about how LPAs work and whether they’re right for you. I’m here to help make the process simple, personal, and stress-free.

08/08/2025

🧾 Choosing the Right Executor for Your Will
Writing a Will is one of the most important things you can do to protect your loved ones. But there’s one decision people often overlook…
Who will carry out your wishes when you're gone?

This person is called your executor, and their role is crucial. Choosing the wrong person could lead to confusion, family tension, or delays in getting things sorted.

Let’s break it down.

What is an Executor?
An executor is the person responsible for managing your estate when you die.
Your estate includes everything you own, like your home, savings, belongings, and any debts you might have.

Their job includes:
✔ Gathering details about what you owned and what you owed
✔ Paying off any debts or taxes
✔ Distributing the remaining assets to the people named in your Will
✔ Making sure your wishes are carried out exactly as you intended

It’s a big job, and it comes with legal responsibilities. If mistakes are made, the executor can be held personally liable.

Who Can You Choose?
You can name anyone over the age of 18 as your executor.
Most people choose a trusted family member or friend, but it’s important to ask:

❓ Are they organised and reliable?
❓ Can they handle paperwork and deadlines?
❓ Will they be emotionally strong enough to manage your estate during a difficult time?
❓ Can they stay neutral and avoid family disagreements?

Many people don’t realise how complex or time-consuming the job can be until it’s too late. That’s why more people are choosing to appoint a professional executor.

Why Choose a Professional?
Appointing a professional executor, like Honey Legal, removes the stress and responsibility from your loved ones.
We offer expert support to make sure your estate is dealt with properly, quickly, and in line with the law.

By choosing Honey as your executor:
✔ You reduce the risk of family conflict
✔ You avoid costly mistakes or delays
✔ Your wishes are handled professionally and impartially

It also gives your family peace of mind, knowing that everything is being taken care of during an emotional time.

📩 Message me on Facebook if you'd like help writing or updating your Will. I’ll walk you through your options and help you choose the right executor with confidence.

06/08/2025

📜 Probate Explained: What You Need to Know

💭 When someone passes away, who sorts out their money, property and possessions?

That’s where probate comes in, but many people have never heard of it until they’re thrown into it during one of the most difficult times of their life.

Let’s break it down…

What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone’s estate after they’ve died.

The word "estate" means everything they owned, from their house, bank accounts and car, to personal items like jewellery or furniture.

If the person left a Will, it will name someone as their executor, this is the person responsible for carrying out their wishes. Probate gives this person the legal right to access accounts, sell assets, and settle debts before distributing what’s left to the people named in the Will.

If there’s no Will, then the process is more complicated. Someone (usually a close family member) will need to apply to become the administrator, and the law (not the person’s wishes) will decide who inherits everything. This is known as dying intestate.

Why is Probate Important?
You can't just walk into a bank and ask for access to someone’s money, even if you’re their child or spouse. Most organisations (like banks, pension providers or HMRC) require a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration before they’ll release funds or deal with the estate.

Without probate:
Assets could remain frozen for months
Bills and debts may go unpaid
Loved ones might not receive what they’re entitled to
Family disputes can arise during an emotional time

Who Applies for Probate?
If there’s a Will, it’s usually the executor named in it.
If there isn’t, it’s a close relative (like a spouse or adult child) who applies to be the administrator.

In either case, they’ll be responsible for:
✅ Gathering information about all the assets and debts
✅ Applying for the Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration)
✅ Paying any debts, taxes or bills
✅ Distributing what’s left to the beneficiaries

It can be a complex and time-consuming job and mistakes can cause legal issues, delays or even financial penalties.

How We Can Help
At Honey Legal, we understand how stressful this time can be. That’s why many families choose to appoint us as professional executors, so the legal responsibility is handled with care and expertise, and your loved ones aren’t left to manage it all while grieving.

We can also support families who’ve lost someone recently and need guidance or help with the probate process.

📩 If you’ve lost someone or just want to make sure your Will and estate are set up properly, message me on Facebook today. I’ll talk you through your options with no pressure.

Honey Legal Joshua Howe-Jones Midlands

05/09/2025

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