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Take the original executed deed to the in the county where the property is located. Pay the required recording fees and documentary stamp taxes to make the transfer public record. Risks and Limitations
You keep your Florida Homestead tax exemption and the "Save Our Homes" cap, preventing your property taxes from spiking. free printable lady bird deed florida form best
| Tool | Probate Avoidance? | Control During Life? | Medicaid Protection? | Covers Other Assets? | |---|---|---|---|---| | | ✅ Yes | ✅ Full control | ✅ Generally protects home from estate recovery | ❌ Real estate only | | Revocable Living Trust | ✅ Yes | ✅ Full control | ❌ Limited (no Medicaid asset protection) | ✅ Yes, any asset | | Standard Life Estate Deed | ✅ Yes | ❌ Needs beneficiary consent to sell/refinance | ❌ Limited | ❌ Real estate only | | Transfer-on-Death Deed | ❌ Not recognized in Florida | N/A | N/A | N/A | | Last Will & Testament | ❌ Requires probate | ✅ Full control | ❌ None | ✅ Yes, all assets |
Note: In Florida, if you are not selling the property but simply modifying the title for estate planning purposes without a mortgage, you typically owe only the minimum documentary stamp tax (usually $0.70). When a Lady Bird Deed Might Not Be the Best Option To help provide the most relevant information for
covenants, restrictions, easements of record, and taxes for the current year and subsequent years.
A Florida Lady Bird Deed is a specialized deed. It allows you to retain complete control over your property while you are alive. You designate beneficiaries who will inherit the real estate automatically when you pass away. Traditional Life Estate vs. Enhanced Life Estate | Tool | Probate Avoidance
A $0 form can cost your family thousands in legal fees later.
The individuals who will inherit the property must be clearly identified. Beneficiaries can be one person or multiple persons, but unclear or vague designations (such as "my children") can create legal disputes later.
As the table shows, a Lady Bird deed is an excellent choice for Florida homeowners who want to pass their primary residence to a specific person (or persons) without probate, while keeping full control during their lifetime, and potentially protecting the home from Medicaid estate recovery. However, it is not a complete estate plan—you may still need a will or trust to address other assets.
[ Your Lifetime ] ➔ You retain 100% control (Sell, Lease, Mortgage) │ [ Upon Your Death ] ➔ Property transfers automatically to Beneficiaries ▼ (Bypasses Probate entirely) Key Benefits of Using a Florida Lady Bird Deed