What is a ‘Lady Bird Deed’?

Question:    What is a ‘Lady Bird Deed’?  

Answer:    A Lady Bird deed, or “enhanced life estate deed,” is a method for transferring an interest in real estate.  With a Lady Bird deed, the owner of a property reserves a life estate in the property, entitling the grantor the right to live on the real property for the rest of his or her life.  The deed also identifies a ‘remainderman’, who, at the grantor’s death, receives title to the real property.  What makes Lady Bird deeds unique is that the grantor/owner/life tenant also reserves the right to encumber the property, keep all income from the property, and sell the property without the approval of the remainderman.  In short, the remainderman only get what’s left on the date of death of the property owner/life tenant.  This deed is designed to leave the owner with all the powers of a solely-owned parcel but with an automatic conveyance of whatever is left upon the owner’s death to the remainderman.  It can be a useful tool.