Michigan Estate Planning Attorney
Avoid Probate with a Lady Bird Deed
A Lady Bird Deed allows your home to pass to your loved ones outside of probate—while keeping full control during your lifetime. It's a powerful tool, and just one piece of a complete estate plan.
Trusted by Over 450 Clients with a 4.9 Star Rating
I recently lost my spouse and Mike was very helpful in renewing my Trust. He also helped me to understand the benefits of different trusts to make an educated decision and protect the assets I have left. He knew exactly what to recommend for a blended family. His staff is also very kind and caring. They were wonderful at walking me through details that seemed foreign to me. Thank you Mike and team for making my future more comfortable!
Very positive experience with the attorney working with us as well as the additional support along the way, including the team checking in on the status of our follow-ups.
Simple, Powerful, and Probate-Free
What Is a Lady Bird Deed?
- Avoid Probate :
- Transfer your home directly to a loved one without going through probate court.
- Retain Full Control :
- You can still sell, mortgage, or change the deed during your lifetime.
- Medicaid-Friendly :
- Lady Bird Deeds are often used in Medicaid planning to preserve home ownership.
- Cost-Effective & Simple :
- Compared to a trust, this is a straightforward, affordable solution for many families.
Your Legacy Is More Than One Document
How a Lady Bird Deed Fits Into Your Estate Plan
A Lady Bird Deed is one important step in protecting your family—but it works best when paired with a full estate plan. At Rutkowski Law Firm, we ensure your home, finances, and healthcare decisions are all part of a clear, legally sound plan.
- Last Will & Testament :
- Direct how your assets are distributed and name guardians for minor children.
- Power of Attorney :
- Let someone you trust manage finances or healthcare decisions if you can’t.
- Revocable Living Trust :
- Avoid probate for all assets—not just your home—while keeping flexibility and control.
- Healthcare Directives :
- Ensure your wishes are followed for medical treatment and end-of-life care.
Our Process for Creating a Lady Bird Deed
We make it simple and stress-free. From consultation to signed deed, you’ll be guided by experienced Michigan attorneys who care.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
- We’ll talk about your goals, your family, and if a Lady Bird Deed is a good fit.
Step 2: Draft & Review
- We prepare your customized deed and review it with you for accuracy and clarity.
Step 3: Sign & Record
- You sign the deed (often remotely), and we record it with the county to make it official.
Estate Planning Guide
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.
Common Questions About Lady Bird Deeds
Meet Your Leadership Team
Whether you need a will, trust, asset protection plan or are in need of medicaid crisis planning, our team is here to help! We are dedicated to providing you with the best legal representation possible. Call us today to book your consultation.
Meet the Whole Team
Request a Consultation
With offices in Rochester and Bloomfield Hills, we’re proud to serve families throughout Michigan. Prefer virtual? We offer video consultations for estate planning, so you can plan from the comfort of home.
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“Their whole team was amazing to work with! The attorneys were very knowledgeable and made it easy to understand. We chose virtual planning process option because it was so much more convenient with my work schedule but they offered to meet in person too of we didn't do zoom. Highly Recommended!”
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