It’s not from a history book. It’s one of the simplest, most powerful ways to pass your home to your family — without probate, without losing control, and without a $3,000 trust.
Get the Florida DIY Kit — $97Instant download · Fillable deed + step-by-step guide + Top 25 questions
If your name is on the deed and something happens to you, Florida law generally sends your home through probate — a court process that can take months, cost your family thousands in fees, and put your most valuable asset in the hands of a judge before your kids ever see it.
A will doesn’t skip this. A will is simply your instructions to the probate court. Your family still has to go through it.
And there’s a second risk most people never hear about: after you pass, Florida’s Medicaid program can file a claim against your home to recover what it paid for your long-term care. It’s called estate recovery — and it can quietly erase the inheritance you meant to leave behind.
Most families assume the only fix is an expensive trust. For a lot of Florida homeowners, that simply isn’t true.
A Lady Bird Deed — its formal name is an Enhanced Life Estate Deed — lets you keep your home in your name and in your full control for the rest of your life, then pass it directly to whomever you choose the moment you’re gone.
Here’s the part that surprises people: a Lady Bird Deed is a single document. Once it’s filled out correctly and recorded with your county, the job is done. That’s why so many Florida families don’t need a costly trust to protect the one asset that matters most.
This is a fit if you:
It may not be the right tool if you:
In those cases, the Kit will help you understand your options — but you should speak with a licensed Florida attorney before acting.
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The one worry we hear most from Florida homeowners over 65. A focused breakdown of how the deed interacts with Florida’s homestead rules and the Medicaid five-year look-back — so you understand the timing before you file. Offered as an optional add-on at checkout.
No. The Kit is educational material and document templates. It is not legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney–client relationship. If your situation is complex, consult a licensed Florida attorney before acting.
For a straightforward home and a clear choice of heirs, yes — a Lady Bird Deed is one document. The Kit shows you how to complete it correctly and record it with your county. If anything about your situation is unusual, the guide tells you when to get a professional involved.
Generally, yes. A Lady Bird Deed doesn’t transfer ownership while you’re alive, so it typically doesn’t trigger a due-on-sale clause. The guide explains this in plain English.
No — that’s the whole point of the “enhanced” life estate. You keep the right to sell, refinance, or change your mind at any time, with no one’s permission.
Instantly. After checkout you’ll get an email with immediate access to all three components as digital downloads.
Even if you decide a Lady Bird Deed isn’t your best path, the Kit will have shown you exactly why — and pointed you toward the right next step. If you’re not satisfied, reply to your delivery email within 30 days.
One document, done right, can keep your family out of court and keep your home where it belongs.
Get the Florida DIY Kit — $97Instant download · Fillable deed + guide + Top 25 questions
Important: FloridaLadyBird provides educational information and self-help document templates only. We are not a law firm, we do not provide legal advice, and we are not a substitute for the advice of a licensed attorney. Use of these materials does not create an attorney–client relationship. Estate planning, Medicaid, tax, homestead, and creditor rules are fact-specific and change over time. Before signing or recording any deed, you should consult a licensed Florida attorney about your individual situation.
FloridaLadyBird is not affiliated with any law firm and is not connected to the practice of law in any state.