Michigan is a confirmed Lady Bird deed state, and the instrument — technically an enhanced life estate deed — is treated by Michigan legal and institutional sources as an established, reliable estate-planning tool.
The Michigan Supreme Court settled the question in *Department of Health and Human Services v. Rasmer*, characterizing the deed as a legitimate mechanism to avoid probate. That ruling is a big part of why Lady Bird deeds are so widely used in Michigan home planning.
Sources and official resources
- MDHHS: Nursing Facility Eligibility
- U.S. Code: 42 U.S.C. § 1396p (liens, estate recovery, transfers of assets, Partnership disregard)
- CMS: 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards
Rules and figures change. Confirm current details with the agency before you act.