Warranty Deed Form

A "Lady Bird deed" (also known as an enhanced life estate deed) is a way to transfer property to someone else outside of probate while retaining a life estate in the property.After a Medicaid recipient dies, the state can make a claim for repayment of benefits from the recipient's estate.

This right to rescind is what distinguishes a Lady Bird Deed from a standard Life Estate Deed.A properly written, signed and filed Enhanced Life Estate Deed does supersede the terms of the owner's Will, so long as the grantor has not exercised the retained right to reclaim ownership while living.

A Lady Bird deed avoids probate, so the home is not part of the probate estate and Medicaid cannot go after it.

Lady bird deeds differ from traditional life estate deeds in that the life tenant continues to have the right to sell or mortgage his / her home without beneficiary consent. In fact, the life tenant is even able to cancel the deed or change the beneficiary.

It only applies to residential properties and must be promptly recorded after it is notarized. This document is exempt from documentary transfer tax under Rev. & Tax. Code §11930.

Avoid probate of the property. keep the right to use and profit from the property for your lifetime. keep the right to sell the property at any time. avoid making a gift that might be subject to federal gift tax. avoid jeopardizing your eligibility for Medicaid.

Warranties.A ladybird deed may transfer title with warranties in the deed whereby the grantor warrants that he has full ownership of the property at the time of the conveyance. Quitclaim language, however, could also be used in a ladybird deed, with the seller deeding whatever interest he has to pass at his death.

The Will is overcome by the Deed. Further, under the Deed title to the property passes to the grantee without needing to go through probate. However, if the grantor during life exercises the retained right to reclaim ownership then the Lady Bird deed is canceled.