Lady Bird Deeds in Michigan (Enhanced Life Estate Deeds): What Homeowners Should Know

Many Michigan homeowners in Novi, Northville, South Lyon, and across Metro Detroit want to make sure their property transfers smoothly to loved ones without the cost, stress, and delay of probate. One of the simplest estate planning tools to achieve this is the Lady Bird Deed, also known as an Enhanced Life Estate Deed.

This option allows you to keep full control of your property during your lifetime while guaranteeing a seamless transfer of ownership after your passing. As a Keller Williams Real Estate Planner and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), I regularly guide homeowners and their families through options like Lady Bird Deeds to help protect their home and legacy.

What Is a Lady Bird Deed?

A Lady Bird Deed is a legal document that allows you to:

• Maintain full control of your home during your lifetime (live in it, refinance, lease, or even sell).

• Avoid probate by automatically transferring the property to your beneficiaries after your death.

Unlike a traditional life estate deed, the enhanced version gives Michigan homeowners complete flexibility and decision-making power while they are alive.

How Does a Lady Bird Deed Work in Michigan?

1. Drafting the Deed – An estate planning attorney prepares the Lady Bird Deed, naming you as the “life tenant” and listing your chosen beneficiaries (often children, grandchildren, or heirs).

2. Recording the Deed – The completed deed is filed with the county register of deeds where your property is located (Oakland, Wayne, Livingston, etc.).

3. During Your Lifetime – You keep all rights to use, refinance, or sell your property. Your beneficiaries do not have any claim until after your passing.

4. After Death – Ownership automatically transfers to your beneficiaries without probate court involvement.

Benefits of a Lady Bird Deed for Michigan Homeowners

• Avoids Probate in Michigan – Loved ones inherit your property quickly without costly court delays.

• Keeps You in Control – You can change beneficiaries, refinance, or sell at any time.

• Affordable Alternative to a Trust – Simpler and less expensive than creating a revocable living trust.

• Medicaid Planning Advantages – In Michigan, Lady Bird Deeds can protect your home from Medicaid estate recovery while preserving eligibility.

• Privacy Protection – Unlike probate, which is a public process, a Lady Bird Deed keeps the transfer private.

Who Should Consider a Lady Bird Deed in Metro Detroit?

This tool can be especially valuable for:

• Seniors and retirees in Novi, Northville, and South Lyon who want peace of mind that their home will smoothly transfer to heirs.

• Homeowners without complex estates who want a simple, affordable alternative to a trust.

• Families concerned about Medicaid eligibility and protecting their property from recovery.

• Couples or individuals in Metro Detroit who want the flexibility to update their estate plan without restrictions.

Is a Lady Bird Deed Right for You?

Every family situation is unique. For many Michigan homeowners, a Lady Bird Deed is the perfect solution for avoiding probate, protecting assets, and ensuring their home passes easily to loved ones. For others with larger or more complex estates, a living trust or other planning tools may be better.

As a Keller Williams Real Estate Planner and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), I help homeowners in Novi, Northville, South Lyon, and Metro Detroit understand their options when it comes to housing, legacy planning, and real estate transitions in later life.

📲 Contact me today and I’ll connect you with trusted local estate planning attorneys who specialize in Lady Bird Deeds and other Michigan real estate planning tools. Together, we can ensure your home remains a secure part of your legacy.