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⭐ Calificación 4.9 · 600+ Reseñas · 5,000+ Clientes · Florida Bar No. 0085615 · Servicio Estatal
Un Lady Bird Deed (técnicamente, escritura mejorada de patrimonio vitalicio o enhanced life estate deed) es una herramienta específica de Florida que le permite mantener control total de su casa de habitación durante su vida y pasarla automáticamente a beneficiarios elegidos al fallecer — todo fuera del proceso sucesorio (probate) y sin exposición a acreedores durante su vida.
Florida es uno de los pocos estados donde esta escritura está bien establecida en la práctica legal. Para familias hispanas que poseen casa en Florida, el Lady Bird Deed es frecuentemente la herramienta más simple y económica para evitar la sucesión de la residencia principal.
La casa pasa directamente a sus beneficiarios al fallecer — sin abogados, sin juez, sin meses de espera.
Puede vender, hipotecar, alquilar, o revocar la escritura en cualquier momento. Los beneficiarios no tienen derechos hasta que usted fallezca.
A diferencia de la "escritura conjunta", los acreedores de los beneficiarios no pueden embargar su casa durante su vida porque ellos no tienen titularidad actual.
Como conserva el control completo, el IRS no lo trata como un regalo. No hay forma 709 que llenar, ni reducción de exención vitalicia.
Los beneficiarios reciben la "base ajustada" (stepped-up basis) al valor de mercado al fallecer, eliminando ganancias de capital acumuladas.
Mantiene la protección del homestead bajo Artículo X §4 durante su vida y al fallecer, asumiendo que los beneficiarios califican.
Confirmamos la titularidad de la propiedad — si está a su nombre solo, conjunta con cónyuge, o en fideicomiso. La estructura del título determina cómo se redacta el Lady Bird Deed.
Decida quién hereda la casa al fallecer — hijos, cónyuge, hermanos, fideicomiso. Puede designar múltiples beneficiarios con porcentajes específicos.
Si la casa es su residencia principal con declaración de homestead, esto interactúa con las protecciones del Artículo X §4 y las restricciones de devisar a cónyuge/hijos menores.
Redactamos la escritura con el lenguaje específico de "enhanced life estate" y el poder reservado del otorgante para vender, hipotecar, o revocar — sin lo cual, simplemente sería una escritura de patrimonio vitalicio común.
Usted firma ante dos testigos y un notario. Florida permite notarización remota en línea (RON) bajo Fla. Stat. § 117.245 para clientes que no pueden venir físicamente.
Registramos la escritura en la Oficina del Secretario del Condado donde está ubicada la propiedad. Esto la hace pública y efectiva contra terceros.
Estos son los escenarios más comunes donde el Lady Bird Deed es la herramienta correcta:
Quiere pasar la casa a los hijos sin pasar por sucesión. El Lady Bird Deed lo hace automáticamente — los hijos solo presentan un certificado de defunción y la nueva escritura en el registro.
Cada miembro de la pareja quiere asegurar que la casa pase a sus hijos del matrimonio anterior, no al cónyuge actual (quien ya está protegido por homestead). El Lady Bird Deed se puede usar para confirmar la sucesión deseada.
Si planea regresar a su país y vender la casa de Florida primero, el Lady Bird Deed le preserva la opción. Mientras no la vea, sus beneficiarios la reciben automáticamente si usted falleciera durante esa transición.
Para algunos clientes preparándose para Medicaid de cuidado a largo plazo, el Lady Bird Deed permite que la casa pase a los hijos sin contar como un regalo (que activaría el período de retroactividad de 5 años de Medicaid).
Residentes de otros estados o países que poseen una segunda casa en Florida pueden usar el Lady Bird Deed para evitar tener que abrir sucesión en Florida cuando fallecen.
La titulación conjunta da derechos inmediatos al co-titular, lo que crea riesgos (acreedores, divorcio del co-titular, conflictos). El Lady Bird Deed evita esos riesgos.
Un Lady Bird Deed es una escritura específica de Florida que transfiere su casa a beneficiarios elegidos al fallecer, pero reserva poderes amplios — vender, hipotecar, alquilar, revocar — durante su vida. Técnicamente se llama “enhanced life estate deed” o “ladybird deed.” Florida es uno de pocos estados donde esta escritura está bien establecida en la práctica legal.
Como parte de un plan patrimonial completo, generalmente el costo es minimo o incluido. Si se hace solo, la tarifa típicamente es de $300 a $750 incluyendo redacción y costos de registro. Las tarifas de registro varían por condado (generalmente $10-$30).
Sí. El poder de revocación es lo que hace que esta escritura sea “enhanced.” Puede revocarla en cualquier momento durante su vida sin consentimiento del beneficiario — el método más común es grabar una nueva escritura que revoque la anterior, o transferir la propiedad a otra persona o entidad.
No, mantiene su protección del homestead bajo el Artículo X §4 de la Constitución de Florida durante su vida. Al fallecer, la protección continúa si los beneficiarios califican (cónyuge sobreviviente o hijos menores). Para otros beneficiarios, la protección de homestead termina pero la transferencia fuera de sucesión continúa.
No. Durante su vida, usted mantiene control total. Los beneficiarios no tienen derechos legales sobre la propiedad — no pueden vender, alquilar, o entrar sin su permiso. Solo al fallecer obtienen titularidad.
Sí. El Lady Bird Deed no afecta la hipoteca durante su vida. Sin embargo, al fallecer, los beneficiarios heredan la propiedad sujeta a la hipoteca. La ley federal Garn-St. Germain Act protege a familiares inmediatos de la cláusula de “venta acelerada” — pueden continuar con la hipoteca existente.
No. El Lady Bird Deed es unilateral — solo el otorgante (usted) firma. Los beneficiarios reciben la propiedad al fallecer automáticamente sin haber firmado nada.
Son similares pero no idénticas. La escritura TOD (Transfer on Death) existe en algunos estados pero NO está autorizada en Florida. El Lady Bird Deed es la herramienta equivalente en Florida — logra el mismo resultado de evitar sucesión usando la doctrina de “enhanced life estate” en lugar de un estatuto específico de TOD.
Este tema es una pieza de un plan más amplio. Vea cómo encaja con testamentos, fideicomisos, poderes notariales, y designaciones de beneficiarios.
Miranda Pages serves as the Client Operations Manager, bringing over a decade of leadership and management experience in youth program administration. Throughout her career, she has overseen team operations, staff development, and program coordination, experience that translates seamlessly into managing client services and internal operations in a professional environment.
Known as the team’s go-to resource, Miranda is highly reliable and deeply dedicated to supporting both colleagues and clients. Her commitment to professionalism and service helps ensure the team operates efficiently while maintaining the high level of care clients expect.
Juan G. Croussett is a litigation attorney at Zoecklein Law, where he represents clients in complex probate and trust disputes and other contested matters. Known for his strong courtroom presence and strategic approach to advocacy, Juan focuses on protecting clients’ interests through thorough preparation, persuasive legal argument, and disciplined case management.
Juan earned his Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from the University of South Florida. Over the course of his career, he has developed extensive litigation experience handling a variety of complex matters, including property disputes, dependency proceedings, and high-conflict cases involving sensitive family issues.
Before joining Zoecklein Law, Juan served as a Senior Attorney with the Florida Department of Children and Families and later as Lead Dependency Attorney at The Spring of Tampa Bay. In these roles, he regularly appeared in court, managed complex case portfolios, and advocated on behalf of individuals navigating difficult legal circumstances.
At Zoecklein Law, Juan brings this depth of litigation experience to guide clients through challenging disputes with clarity, diligence, and strong advocacy. He is committed to developing thoughtful legal strategies and delivering results-driven representation.
Outside of his legal practice, Juan is a devoted husband and father who values family and community
Keegan Ashmore Gothers is an attorney at Zoecklein Law, where he assists clients with probate, estate, guardianship, and other civil litigation matters. He is known for his strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to navigate complex legal issues while providing thoughtful and strategic support throughout the litigation process.
Keegan earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Louisville. During law school, he distinguished himself in competitive arbitration competitions, earning recognition as a champion in the University of Miami MLB Arbitration Competition and a finalist in the Tulane International MLB Arbitration Competition.
Prior to joining Zoecklein Law, Keegan gained experience working on a variety of civil litigation matters, including real estate disputes, contract issues, probate matters, and business disputes. He has experience drafting pleadings, conducting legal research, preparing discovery, and assisting with depositions, mediations, and motion hearings.
Outside of his legal practice, Keegan enjoys watching sports, spending time with friends and family, and golfing. His background in athletics reflects a competitive spirit and team-oriented mindset that he brings to his work serving clients
Mr. Rubin currently focuses on probate administration, estate litigation, and general civil litigation. Mr. Rubin grew up in Miami, Florida, and graduated from the University of Miami where he obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Communications.
Mr. Rubin obtained his juris doctorate degree from Florida International University College of Law in Miami, Florida. While at Florida International University, Mr. Rubin was a member of the Negotiation and Mediation Team, and competed in several competitions, including the Tulane Law School Professional Football Negotiation Competition. While at Florida International University, Mr. Rubin interned at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the Broward Public Defender’s Office.
After graduating, Mr. Rubin worked at the Fort Myers Public Defender’s Office as an Assistant Public Defender, and then worked for Florida Rural Legal Services, where he focused on family and immigration law. Mr. Rubin joined Zoecklein Law, P.A. in July of 2023. While not working, Mr. Rubin enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and their three cats, four spiders, one snake, and one scorpion.
A Florida Bar licensed attorney since 2011 with a passion for justice, a track record of successful courtroom and jury trial experience, and a diverse background that extends beyond the legal world. As a past assistant state attorney and co-owner of a successful online business, I bring a unique blend of legal expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to everything I do.
My dedication to the well-being of the community began with my service in the U.S. Army Reserve, evolved into keeping drunk drivers off the street, and is now focused on helping people find closure during difficult times, putting loved ones to rest, and mitigating the injustices of the legal system.
I grew up in Tampa, Florida, and after 2 years at the American University in Washington, D.C., I returned to the state and graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a degree in history. I received my Juris Doctor from the University of Maine. After deciding New England winters were too gloomy, I returned to the state for a second time. When I am not working, I cherish spending time with my wife and our pets.
Mrs. Zoecklein is a highly accomplished and driven professional with a successful track record in both accounting and customer service. As a devoted spouse and parent to three wonderful children, She values the importance of work-life balance and strives to lead by example in maintaining a fulfilling family life alongside her career.
With an innate sense of self-drive and ambition, Mrs. Zoecklein has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and organizational skills, making her an invaluable asset to every team she has been a part of. Drawing from her experience in accounting, she has managed financial operations with precision and an eye for detail, ensuring smooth financial transactions and accurate record-keeping.
In the realm of customer service, Mrs. Zoecklein has honed her communication and interpersonal skills, establishing strong rapport with clients and colleagues alike. She takes great pride in delivering exceptional service, consistently exceeding expectations, and ensuring client satisfaction.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Mrs. Zoecklein finds immense joy in the company of her loving spouse and three children. She believes that family forms the cornerstone of a fulfilling life and embraces opportunities to create lasting memories with them. Whether it’s embarking on adventurous outings, engaging in creative endeavors, or simply relishing quality time at home.
With a perfect blend of professional dedication and family-centered values Mrs. Zoecklein embodies a well-rounded and driven individual, whose commitment to excellence extends to both her career and the cherished relationships that enrich her life.
Mr. Zoecklein’s primary focus centers on Probate and Plaintiff’s Civil Litigation. His esteemed team is actively handling cases across the State of Florida in the areas of probate administration, estate litigation, insurance claims, and business law. Hailing from Blacksburg, Virginia, he graduated cum laude from Virginia Tech with a degree in business management, successfully running multiple franchises in Virginia and North Carolina during his time there. Pursuing higher education, Mr. Zoecklein earned his juris doctorate degree cum laude, along with a Masters in Business Administration, from Stetson University College of Law, where he notably represented the university in numerous national and international legal academic competitions. A highlight of his law school journey was winning a National Moot Court competition for Stetson, displaying his exceptional legal acumen. During his time at Stetson, Brice also contributed to the Center for Advocacy of Elder Law and interned at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Following graduation, he embarked on a career with a prominent insurance defense firm, but his passion for Plaintiff advocacy and consumer justice led him to dedicate his legal pursuits exclusively to the representation of consumer rights. Apart from his professional endeavors, Mr. Zoecklein treasures quality time with his wife and three children. Through his unwavering pursuit of justice, both inside and outside the courtroom, Brice Zoecklein exemplifies the essence of a compassionate advocate and a reputable professional, dedicated to upholding the values of integrity, empathy, and fairness in all aspects of his life.
Stetson University College of Law – cum laude
Virginia Polytechnic Institute – cum laude
Zoecklein Law focuses on the following Florida practice areas:
Email: [email protected]
Toll-Free: (877) 206-0022
Brandon Office: 150 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, FL 33511
St. Petersburg Office: 4021 Central Ave., Suite B, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Fax: (813) 925-4310