Honey Legal Joshua Howe-Jones Midlands

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Honey Legal Joshua Howe-Jones Midlands

Hi, I'm Joshua, an experienced estate planning consultant at Honey Legal.

I am available to visit you and your family face-to-face in the comfort of your own home - to discuss how you can protect your property and assets.

10/12/2025

Think You’re Too Young for a Will? Think Again. 💭

Most people believe Wills are something you sort out when you’re older, yet life doesn’t always follow a plan.

A Will isn’t about age; it’s making sure your wishes are respected, no matter what happens. Even if you’re young, fit, and healthy, a Will gives you control over what happens to your home, savings, and personal belongings.

It also ensures the people you care about most are protected, not left guessing or facing legal complications if the unexpected occurs.

Getting a Will in place is quick, affordable, and one of the most responsible steps you can take for your future.

It’s not about expecting the worst, it’s about giving yourself and your loved ones peace of mind. 💛

If you’d like me to explain how easy it is to set up your Will, send me a message and I’ll talk you through it in simple terms.

08/12/2025

🎁 The most important thing you can wrap up before Christmas? Your estate plan.

Christmas is a time for family, but it’s also a time to pause and reflect on the things that really matter. If you haven’t sorted your estate plan yet, now’s the perfect time.

Here’s a simple checklist to help you prepare for the future:

✅ Write or review your Will
✅ Set up your LPAs
✅ Make decisions about future care
✅ Book a free consultation with a professional (me!)

An estate plan isn’t just for later, it can also protect you now. It makes sure your loved ones are looked after and your wishes are crystal clear.

🎄 Want to get this sorted before the holidays? Drop me a message and I’ll book you in for a free consultation.

05/12/2025

When most people hear the words “Lasting Power of Attorney”, they instantly think of old age or ill health. It’s easy to assume you only need one when you’re retired, or if something serious happens. Yet the truth is, LPAs are for everyone.

Imagine being in hospital after an accident or falling ill unexpectedly. Your bills still need paying, decisions need making, and your loved ones want to help, yet without an LPA, they might not be legally allowed to. That’s where a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) makes all the difference.

An LPA is a legal document that lets you choose someone you trust (your attorney) to make decisions for you if you can’t. It gives you control, not the courts. And the sooner it’s set up, the more protection you have in place if life ever takes a turn.

There are two main types of LPAs, and both play very different roles:

🏠 Property and Financial Affairs LPA
This covers your money, property, and anything financial. Your chosen attorney can help manage your bank accounts, pay bills, or handle important paperwork if you can’t. Even something as simple as being abroad or in hospital can make this incredibly helpful.

❤️ Health and Welfare LPA
This covers decisions about your care, daily routine, and medical treatment. It gives your chosen person the right to speak up for your wishes, whether it’s deciding where you receive care or what treatment you’d want in a medical emergency.

Many people are surprised to learn that a partner or family member doesn’t automatically have these rights. Without an LPA, your loved ones may have to go through the courts to get permission, a process that can take months and cost a lot of money.

Having an LPA in place doesn’t mean giving up control. In fact, it means keeping it because you choose who can act for you, and you set the boundaries. It’s about being prepared, not pessimistic.

Life can be unpredictable, and planning ahead means protecting yourself and your family from uncertainty. An LPA is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to ensure that your voice is heard, no matter what happens.

If you’d like to understand how an LPA works or what the process involves, send me a message. I’ll happily explain it in plain English, no jargon, no pressure, just clear advice so you can make an informed choice.

03/12/2025

The Greatest Gift You Can Leave 🎁

When people think of gifts, they often picture something wrapped with a bow. Yet one of the most meaningful gifts you can ever give your family is peace of mind.

A Will isn’t just a legal document, it’s a message of love, care, and protection. It ensures your wishes are honoured, your family is provided for, and the people who matter most are looked after.

Without a Will, things can become complicated and stressful for those left behind. By taking a little time to put your wishes in writing now, you’re giving your loved ones clarity, comfort, and reassurance when they’ll need it most.

It’s never too early to plan ahead, it’s one of the kindest things you can do for your family. 💛

If you’d like to learn how easy it is to get started, send me a message and I’ll happily explain the process in simple terms.

02/12/2025

💭 Most people don’t think about probate, until they suddenly have to.

When someone passes away, their estate (everything they own) doesn’t automatically pass to the right people. Before that can happen, the estate must go through probate.

Put simply, probate is the legal permission that allows someone, usually the executor named in a Will, to manage a person’s affairs after death.

They can use it to:

Access bank accounts

Pay off debts and taxes

Sell property

And make sure what’s left is passed on to the right people

If there’s no Will, things become trickier. A family member must apply to the courts for permission to handle the estate, a process that can take months and cost a lot more.
Even worse, the law decides who inherits, not you.

Having a Will in place makes probate smoother, quicker, and far less stressful for your loved ones. It’s one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family from unnecessary worry and confusion during an already emotional time.

If you’re unsure what probate means for your situation or how to prepare properly, I can help.
We’ll go through it together, in plain English, so you can plan with confidence.

📩 Message me today to learn more or get started with your estate planning.

28/11/2025

🎁 A little planning now = peace of mind later.

The run-up to Christmas is busy for all of us, but it's also the perfect time to tick something truly important off your list.

Getting your Will or LPA sorted before the holidays means:
✔ No last-minute stress
✔ Clarity for your family
✔ And one less thing to worry about in the New Year

Planning for the future isn’t scary or overwhelming, not when you’ve got the right support. I can help you get everything in place quickly, simply, and with total peace of mind.

📩 Message me today and let’s make it happen before the year’s out.

26/11/2025

You might assume your loved ones would automatically inherit but sadly, the law doesn’t work that way.

When someone dies without a Will in place, it’s called dying intestate. And under UK law, there’s a strict order of who inherits. It doesn’t matter what verbal promises were made, how long you’ve been with your partner, or who you trusted most. If it’s not written in a Will, it’s not protected.

So, what really happens?

If you die without a Will:

🔸 Your spouse or civil partner might only get part of your estate
🔸 Your long-term partner (if unmarried) could get nothing at all
🔸 Stepchildren aren’t recognised under intestacy rules
🔸 Your estate could take months longer to sort
🔸 Loved ones may face disagreements, legal delays or even lose their home

A true story to think about…

Dave and Sarah were together for 17 years. They lived in Dave’s house, shared finances and saw each other’s children as their own. But when Dave passed away without a Will, everything changed. Under intestacy law, Sarah wasn’t entitled to the home, it went straight to Dave’s children from a previous relationship. Despite the life they built, Sarah had no legal right to stay.

💔 All because there was no Will in place.

A Will changes everything:

✔ It protects your partner
✔ It recognises stepchildren and chosen family
✔ It helps avoid family fallouts
✔ It gives clarity and peace of mind during a tough time

If you’ve been meaning to sort it out, now’s the time. It’s not scary and I’ll guide you through it every step of the way.

💬 Message me today and let’s chat about getting your Will sorted.

24/11/2025

🧾 What is Intestacy?

It’s when someone dies without a Will and the government decides who gets what.

That means:
– Long-term partners may get nothing
– Stepchildren are left out
– Family can fall into arguments

💡 A simple Will protects your wishes and your family. Message me today if you’re ready to get yours sorted.

21/11/2025

🗣️ Think a Verbal Agreement Is Enough? It’s Not.

You might think saying, “I want my partner to have the house” is enough but if it’s not in a Will, the law doesn’t recognise it.

Verbal promises are not legally binding. Without a Will or LPA in place, your loved ones could be left out, face disputes, or lose access to your finances altogether.

If you want to make sure your wishes are honoured and your family protected, send me a message today. Let's get it all in writing.

17/11/2025

💬 Who Can Be an Executor and Why It Matters

When you write your Will, you’ll need to choose one or more executors, people who will carry out your wishes when you’re gone.

It’s a big responsibility. Executors are in charge of:
– Managing your money, property and belongings
– Settling debts and taxes
– Making sure everything you’ve left behind is passed to the right people
– Handling the legal side of things, including probate

You can choose:
👉 A friend or family member over 18
👉 A professional, like a solicitor
👉 Or both (many people name two or more executors just in case one can’t act)

It’s important to choose someone you trust, someone who’s organised, reliable, and calm under pressure.

If you’re not sure who to choose or how to get started, I can help guide you through the process and make sure your Will is done properly.

📩 Message me today and let’s make it simple.

14/11/2025

💬 Just because you’re married doesn’t mean your partner can legally step in if something happens to you.

Many people don’t realise that being married or in a civil partnership doesn’t automatically give your loved one the legal right to:

– Access your accounts
– Manage your finances
– Speak to doctors or care teams
– Make decisions on your behalf

❌ That’s only possible with a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place.

If you were to lose mental capacity without an LPA, your partner could be stuck in legal limbo, unable to act when you need them most. They may have to go through the Court of Protection, a costly, lengthy and stressful process.

There are two types of LPA:
– One for Property & Finances
– One for Health & Welfare

🛡 With both in place, you can protect each other and make sure your wishes are followed, no delays, no legal brick walls.

📩 Message me today and I’ll help you get everything sorted.

12/11/2025

What’s the Difference Between Health & Welfare and Property & Finance LPAs?

It’s one of the most common questions we get and the answer could make a big difference to how protected you and your loved ones are.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets someone you trust make decisions for you if you lose mental capacity, whether due to illness, an accident, or something like dementia.

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

🔷 1. Property & Finance LPA

This one lets someone step in to manage your money and property if you’re no longer able to.

They can:

Pay your bills and rent or mortgage
Access and manage your bank accounts
Deal with pensions and benefits
Make decisions about property, like selling your home if needed
Run your small business or finances if you become unwell

This type of LPA can be used even while you still have capacity, but want help, for example, if you struggle with mobility or managing paperwork.

🔶 2. Health & Welfare LPA

This gives someone the legal authority to make decisions about your care and wellbeing but only if you’re unable to make those decisions yourself.

They can:

Decide on medical treatment
Make choices about your daily routine (like meals or care needs)
Choose care homes or residential arrangements
Speak to doctors or social workers on your behalf
Make life-sustaining treatment decisions, if you give them permission to do so

Without this LPA, these vital decisions may be made by doctors, social services, or even the court, not your loved ones.

So, Do I Need Both?

In most cases, yes, because they cover completely different things. Having one without the other means you’re only half protected.

Think of it this way:

Your Property & Finance LPA protects your money.
Your Health & Welfare LPA protects your body and wellbeing.

Without them, your loved ones could be left unable to help, even if they know exactly what you would have wanted.

At Honey Legal, we make it simple and affordable to put both LPAs in place, giving you peace of mind and protecting the people you trust.

📞 Call 0800 9 500 100 (quote: SOCIAL)
📧 enquiries@honeylegal.co.uk

Address

The Old Magistrates’ Court, Cheshire Street
Market Drayton
TF91PH

Telephone

+447842333309

Website

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

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