Why 2025 Could Be a Turning Point for Your Estate Plan
A proposed extension to the 2017 tax cuts could change how families plan—here’s what to know.

Founder / Attorney
Michael L. RutkowskiOctober 18, 2024
If you’re looking for a flexible and effective way to manage your property in estate planning, the Lady Bird Deed, also known as the Enhanced Life Estate Deed, might be the perfect solution for you. This unique legal tool allows you to retain control over your property while ensuring it smoothly transfers to your beneficiaries upon your passing—without going through probate.
In this newsletter, we’ll explore what the Lady Bird Deed is, why it’s an important estate planning option, how it got its name, and how you can set one up.
The Lady Bird Deed (Enhanced Life Estate Deed) is a type of deed that allows you to transfer real estate to your beneficiaries while retaining the right to use and control the property during your lifetime. It’s often used to avoid probate and to ensure a smooth transition of property upon the owner’s death.
With a Lady Bird Deed, you:
This flexibility makes the Lady Bird Deed a valuable estate planning tool for individuals who want to keep their options open while still planning for the future.
The origin of the name "Lady Bird Deed" comes from a legal example used by attorney Jerome Ira Solkoff in the 1980s. He used the name Lady Bird Johnson (the wife of former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson) as the hypothetical property owner in his explanation. While Lady Bird Johnson had no connection to the deed itself, the name stuck and has become the common term for this type of estate planning tool.
A Lady Bird Deed offers several key benefits that make it an attractive option for estate planning:
A Lady Bird Deed may be an ideal solution if you:
Setting up a Lady Bird Deed involves several steps, and it’s essential to work with an experienced estate planning attorney to ensure everything is done correctly. Here’s how the process typically works:
At Rutkowski Law Firm, we specialize in creating customized estate plans that align with our clients’ goals. Whether you’re considering a Lady Bird Deed to avoid probate, protect your property, or plan for Medicaid, our experienced attorneys can guide you through the process and ensure your estate plan is tailored to meet your needs.
If you’re interested in learning more about Lady Bird Deeds or other estate planning tools, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find the best strategy for securing your property and legacy.
Estate Planning is an essential process that will protect your assets and ensure you’re your estate is distributed according to your wishes after your death.
Many people make mistakes when creating their estate plan, which can lead to unnecessary stress, confusion, and costly legal battles for their loved ones. Below, our estate planning team put together the top 10 and most common mistakes we see in estate planning.
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