Lady Bird Deed for Arenac County, Michigan

In Michigan, a Lady Bird deed is recognized by the state bar's title standards: the owner keeps a life estate and the power to sell or convey the property without the grantee. In Arenac County, the Register of Deeds records it for $30 flat, regardless of page count.

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The owner of the property, named as on the current deed. Michigan recognizes the deed through the state bar's title standards (Mich. Land Title Std. 9.3 (6th ed. through Supp. No. 8).

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Yes. Michigan recognizes the deed by the state bar's title standards, under the name “life estate with power to convey fee”. The owner conveys the property now while keeping a life estate and the power to convey the whole during life, so the grantee's remainder follows the owner's death only if the owner has not conveyed the property.

A life estate in the property and the power to sell or convey the property without the grantee, in the words of the authority that recognizes the deed. The grantee's consent is not needed for an exercise of the reserved powers.

The deed is acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized officer. It is recorded with the office of the register of deeds of the county where the lands lie. Recording is what makes the deed effective against purchasers and creditors.

The deed is exempt from the transfer tax. The county recording office collects its recording fee per page in every case; the prepared packet prints the office's fee schedule.

At the owner's death, if the property was not conveyed during life, the grantee holds it in fee simple, free of the life estate. After the death: An affidavit stating facts relating to the death, or to "the happening of any condition or event that may terminate an estate or interest in real property", may be recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county where the property is situated (MCL 565.451a; permissive). No court proceeding is named in the authority that recognizes the deed; the land records show the owner's deed and, where the state uses one, a recorded affidavit of the owner's death.

Recording a Lady Bird Deed in Arenac County

A Lady Bird deed for Arenac County property is recorded with the Register of Deeds at 120 North Grove Street, Standish, MI 48658. Phone: 1-989-846-9201. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-4:30 PM.

Recording costs $30 flat, regardless of page count; a 2-page deed records for $30. Page count, cover sheets, and any local transfer-tax add-ons can change the final amount, so confirm the total with the Register of Deeds before submitting.

In Michigan, the deed is acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized officer. Recording is what makes the deed effective against purchasers and creditors. On recording, the deed is exempt from the transfer tax.

If submitting by mail, use the office's mailing address: P.O. Box 296, Standish, MI 48658. Include any required return envelope or recording cover sheet requested by the Register of Deeds.

Legal Sources

(6)·Updated October 23, 2026

SimplyTrust Editorial

Mich. Land Title Std. 9.3 (6th ed. through Supp. No. 8; 05-07 text)
MCL 600.2567(1)(a); MCL 600.2567a
MCL 207.526(a) (State Real Estate Transfer Tax Act); MCL 207.505(a) (county act)
MCL 565.29; MCL 565.23
MCL 565.8; MCL 565.1
arenaccountymi.gov

Data sourced from Michigan statutes and official state code and Register of Deeds primary sources (2 pages reviewed). How we research.

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Lady Bird Deed for Arenac County, Michigan

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