If you own a home in Florida, ensuring it passes smoothly to your loved ones is essential to estate planning. Whether you live in the vibrant city of Miami, the scenic shores of Palm Beach County, or a quiet community along Florida’s coastline, a Lady Bird Deed can be a valuable tool for protecting your property and your family’s future.

A Lady Bird Deed, also known as an enhanced life estate deed, allows homeowners to retain complete control of their property during their lifetime while ensuring that ownership transfers automatically to a designated beneficiary upon their passing—without the need for probate. This type of deed is particularly beneficial in Florida, where probate can be time-consuming and costly.

Florida is one of the few states that recognize Lady Bird Deeds, making it an attractive option for residents looking to streamline their estate plans. Named after former First Lady “Lady Bird” Johnson, this deed structure was designed to provide a simple yet effective way to transfer property while maintaining control over it.

At The Millman Law Group, Aaron D. Millman, Esq., CPA, and his team specialize in estate planning solutions tailored to Florida residents. If you want to explore how a Lady Bird Deed in Florida can benefit you, contact The Millman Law Group today for expert guidance in securing your home for future generations.

Compare Lady Birds Deeds to Classic Life Estate Deeds

Lady Bird deeds are enhanced life estate deeds. You can sell, mortgage, or lease real estate using this deed without the future beneficiaries’ approval. By comparison, when you utilize a standard life estate deed, you forfeit all ownership rights to the property even before you die. Any assets covered by a Ladybird deed in Florida are transferred directly to your chosen beneficiaries upon your death, avoiding the probate procedure. 

Is a Ladybird Deed Right For Your Florida Home? 

You can help your family avoid probate by using a Lady Bird Deed in Florida. Generally, a property cannot be legally transferred to a beneficiary unless it has passed through probate. In addition to avoiding probate, ladybird deeds offer the following advantages: 

• In the future, you may not be liable for federal gift taxes.
• You assist your family in avoiding probate and all the costs and difficulties that come with it.
• The property may be mortgaged or sold.
• Your home remains your homestead, and you are shielded from judgments.
• Without the beneficiary’s consent, you can sell or alter your property.
• You may increase your Medicaid eligibility.
• Assets cannot be seized in response to property claims made against a beneficiary.

Ladybird Deeds in Florida Help You Avoid Probate

Working with your Ladybird deed attorney at the Millman Law Group can provide you peace of mind that your belongings will be appropriately divided among your heirs upon your passing. By using the Lady Bird deed for your property, you can prevent your family from going through the probate process. Your heirs would appreciate the smooth transfer of ownership at the trying time after a family death.

Improved Medicaid Eligibility with a Ladybird Deed

You may want to apply for long-term care and Medicaid. However, to be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet specific requirements, such as having all your assets below a certain threshold. You probably wouldn’t qualify for benefits if you used a typical Life Estate Deed to treat your property as an asset. You wouldn’t have the same problem if you used a Ladybird Deed because the property transfer is handled differently. 

Additionally, to recover the benefits provided, Medicaid may, in the future, file a claim against the decedent’s probate estate, but the property on the Ladybird deed is not part of the probate estate. To protect and manage your assets, contact your estate planning attorney in Florida today. 

Read Our Client Reviews

To learn more about the assistance and support we offer to our clients in Florida, read a few of our client testimonials: 

• “Would absolutely recommend Millman Law Group.  Worked with them on Estate and Trust work and right from the outset impressed by their ability to understand the issues and provide creative thinking & solutions.” – Gary S.
• “Mr. Millman is wonderful. He assisted my family immediately and relieved us of a lot stress and uncertainty. He answered all of our questions thoroughly and walked us thru the process step by step seamlessly. I would recommend him to anyone in need of an estate attorney. Thank you so much, we are very appreciative!” – Jillian R. 
• “My wife & I had a great experience with Aaron who came highly recommended by a family member. He took his time explaining all details pertaining to our family planning and answered all questions. Great, cordial staff.” – Jeff N. 

Contact The Millman Law Group to Create Your Ladybird Deed in Florida

Millman Law Group, PLLC is one of the only law firms that offers life planning in South Florida. From life care planning to the preparation of detailed estate plans, Millman Law Group has committed to serving Floridian elderly communities in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Ocean Ridge, Hillsboro Beach, and many other areas since 2018. Our dedicated team specializes in special needs trusts and catering to any age demographic because we know that it’s never too early to start preparing for your future. For the latest news in estate planning and elder care law, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. You can also contact us at 561-463-6480.