Fowlerville Lady Bird Deed Attorney
Last updated on April 25, 2025
Lady Bird deeds are a useful tool in Michigan estate planning. They let property owners transfer real estate to others after death without probate. Owners keep control of the property while alive.
In Fowlerville, Gormley Law Offices, PLC, offers expert advice on Lady Bird deeds and estate planning. Attorney Gormley, a skilled Lady Bird deed lawyer, has helped many Livingston County residents use these deeds to protect their property and plan their legacy.
What Is A Lady Bird Deed?
A Lady Bird deed, known legally as an enhanced life estate deed, serves as a mechanism for property transfer. It allows the owner to maintain complete authority over their real estate during their lifetime. The owner can designate beneficiaries to inherit the property upon their death. Unlike standard deeds, Lady Bird deeds permit the owner to sell or manage the property without needing the beneficiary’s approval.
These deeds started in Florida in the 1980s. They were nicknamed after Lady Bird Johnson, though she was not involved in their creation. Michigan is one of the few states that allows these deeds for property transfers.
How Do Lady Bird Deeds Work?
A Lady Bird deed lets the property owner manage their home and choose who inherits it after they die. The owner, known as the life tenant, can sell, mortgage or change the property without the beneficiary’s approval. When the owner dies, the property passes directly to the named beneficiary without probate. This ensures the owner keeps all rights while alive but provides a smooth transfer to heirs after death. The owner can also cancel or change the deed at any time, giving flexibility in estate planning.
Who Benefits Most From A Lady Bird Deed?
Lady Bird deeds work well for seniors, people planning for long-term care and those wanting a simple estate transfer. Seniors can protect their homes from Medicaid estate recovery while keeping control. People preparing for nursing home care can use these deeds to save assets for heirs. Also, anyone who wants to avoid probate delays and costs will find Lady Bird deeds helpful. They suit homeowners who want full ownership rights while alive but a trouble-free property transfer after death.
Potential Limitations And Important Considerations
Lady Bird deeds have many benefits, but they are not for everyone. They only cover real estate, not other assets. If the property is sold, the owner must create a new Lady Bird deed for the new home. These deeds may not work if you want to transfer property while alive or if your state does not allow them. Other options, like trusts or traditional life estate deeds, might be better in some cases. Talking to an experienced attorney can help you pick the best estate planning tool.
Benefits Of Lady Bird Deeds
Lady Bird deeds provide several key advantages that make them popular estate planning tools:
- Probate avoidance: Property passes directly to beneficiaries at death, skipping the slow probate process.
- Lifetime control: The owner keeps full rights, including the ability to sell the property without approval.
- Medicaid planning: These deeds can protect property from Medicaid estate recovery in some cases.
- Tax benefits: The transfer may prevent property tax increases that happen with regular transfers.
- Simplicity: Lady Bird deeds are easier and cheaper to set up than trusts.
For many Fowlerville and Livingston County residents, Lady Bird deeds balance current property control with smooth future transfer plans.
These advantages make Lady Bird deeds a smart choice for many property owners. For many Fowlerville and Livingston County residents, Lady Bird deeds balance current property control with smooth future transfer plans.
Secure Your Property’s Future Today
Figuring out if a Lady Bird deed fits your needs requires specialized legal advice. Contact our Fowlerville office online or call 517-219-9301 for a free consultation about Lady Bird deeds and other estate planning options.