A lady bird deed, also known as an enhanced life estate deed, is a real estate planning tool that allows you to transfer property to automatically a beneficiary upon your death while retaining control and use during your lifetime. On the other hand, a trust is a legal arrangement where assets are transferred to a trustee for management on behalf of beneficiaries, either during the trustor’s lifetime or upon their death.
Both a lady bird deed and a trust avoid probate. However, a lady bird deed is only used for real property, while a trust can own any type of property. In addition, a lady bird deed transfers property automatically upon the owner’s death, while a trust can hold property for a beneficiary over time while being controlled by a trustee.
About the Author
I’m an attorney who specializes in asset protection planning. I graduated with honors from Emory University Law School and have been practicing law for almost 15 years.
I have helped thousands of clients protect their assets from creditors. Before private practice, I represented the federal government while working for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.
