Atlanta Estate Planning Attorney
Lady Bird Deed Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia
A Lady Bird deed lets you keep full control of your home during your lifetime and transfer it directly to your family at death — without probate. Georgia does not officially recognize Lady Bird deeds, but an Enhanced Life Estate Deed accomplishes the same result and is legally valid in Georgia.
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What a Lady Bird Deed Does in Georgia
A Lady Bird deed (enhanced life estate deed) transfers your home to your named beneficiaries at death while you retain the right to sell, mortgage, or change beneficiaries at any time. It is commonly used to pass a primary residence outside of probate without creating a trust.
No Deed Planning
- Your home goes through probate — 9 to 18 months
- Court fees and attorney fees reduce what your family receives
- Family cannot sell or access the property during probate
- Public record of who inherits and what the property is worth
With a Lady Bird Deed
- Home transfers directly to your beneficiaries at death
- No probate court, no delays, no fees
- You keep full control to sell or refinance during your lifetime
- Change beneficiaries any time without a new deed
How It Works
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Melissa reviews your assets, your family situation, and your exposure. Virtual or in-person.
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Receive a written plan with clear recommendations for protecting your family and your assets.
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Melissa Breyer
Georgia Estate Planning Attorney
Melissa Breyer is a Georgia-licensed estate planning attorney focused exclusively on trust-based planning for individuals and families. She personally meets with every client and designs every plan from scratch. No templates. No associates handling your case. Every plan is built for your specific family, your specific assets, and your specific wishes.
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What Our Clients Say
The whole process of creating a family trust felt simple, clear, and stress-free. We really appreciated how patient, helpful, and easy to communicate with the team was throughout everything. Shawn and Melissa gave us great guidance and helped us feel confident every step of the way. We're grateful for their support and would definitely recommend them.
After my father passed away, my mother had to rely on my father's employer to navigate the estate. It was a disaster. After this experience, I knew I needed a plan. I turned to Atlanta Estate Planning Attorneys to set up a trust. I no longer have to worry about my wife and children going through a difficult process if something happens to me. I highly recommend Atlanta Estate Planning Attorneys!
My biggest fear was that if I died first, my wife would have no idea how to navigate the estate and legal system. I reached out to Atlanta Estate Planning Attorneys and they put my mind at ease immediately. Their process is easy to follow and they took care of everything. Atlanta Estate Planning Attorneys is the best decision I've made for my family's future.
Working with Melissa Breyer to set up our Living Trust was one of the best decisions Scott and I have made. We did this so our boys are protected from confusion and chaos if something happens to us. Melissa was knowledgeable, patient, and made what felt overwhelming completely manageable. I would absolutely recommend Melissa Breyer.
Working with Shawn and Melissa at Atlanta Estate Planning Attorneys has been an excellent experience. They asked great questions during our initial call and clearly explained what we needed. We feel confident we're in good hands and would highly recommend them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia law does not use the term “Lady Bird deed,” but the same result is achieved through an Enhanced Life Estate Deed. This deed is legally valid in Georgia and accomplishes the same thing: you retain control of the property during your lifetime and it transfers directly to your beneficiaries at death without probate.
Yes. A Lady Bird deed (enhanced life estate deed) preserves your full right to sell, mortgage, refinance, or change beneficiaries at any time. You do not need permission from the beneficiaries named in the deed. The deed only takes effect when you die.
A Lady Bird deed generally does not count as a transfer for Medicaid purposes because you retain full control of the property. Georgia Medicaid rules are complex, and we recommend discussing your specific situation during your strategy call before using this deed as part of Medicaid planning.
A Lady Bird deed only covers real property — it transfers your home without probate but does nothing for bank accounts, investments, or other assets. A revocable living trust covers all of your assets. If you own rental properties or have significant assets beyond your home, a trust is usually the better solution.
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