A Lady Bird Deed, also known as an Enhanced Life Estate Deed, is a legal document used in some states in the United States to transfer real estate property to a beneficiary while retaining control and ownership during the life of the grantor.
Under a Lady Bird Deed, the grantor (usually the property owner) retains a life estate in the property, which means they have the right to use and enjoy the property during their lifetime. At the same time, the grantor also designates one or more beneficiaries who will automatically receive the property upon the grantor's death without the need for probate.
The Lady Bird Deed differs from a traditional life estate deed because the grantor retains the power to sell, mortgage, or lease the property during their lifetime without the consent of the beneficiary. The beneficiary has no control over the property during the grantor's lifetime and no legal rights until the grantor's death.