Can I legally grant a single deed to multiple grantees, and how should ownership be structured?

Lexi, Chatbot

I understand you’re looking to grant a deed to multiple grantees. Are you looking to grant equal shares to each grantee?

Lexi, Chatbot

Are there any specific conditions or restrictions you would like to include in the deed for the multiple grantees?

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the Real Estate Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they’ll be able to help with multiple grantees and the specified percentages in the deed.

Richard

Hello! I’m a real estate law expert and I’m happy to help with your deed questions. It sounds like you have a clear plan for your grantees.

Have you already discussed the ladybird deed with an estate planning attorney, or is this your first inquiry about it?

Richard

Yes, in states that recognize Lady Bird deeds (enhanced life estate deeds), you may name multiple remainder beneficiaries and allocate unequal percentage interests, such as 60%, 20%, and 20%, as long as the deed is drafted with clear and precise language.

A Lady Bird deed allows the grantor to retain an enhanced life estate, meaning you keep full control over the property during your lifetime. This typically includes the right to sell, convey, mortgage, lease, or revoke the deed entirely without the consent of the remainder beneficiaries. That retained control is what distinguishes an enhanced life estate from a traditional life estate and is recognized through state property law and case law rather than a single uniform statute.

Upon your death, the property transfers automatically by operation of law to the named remainder beneficiaries, avoiding probate. The deed may allocate ownership in unequal shares, but the percentages must be expressly stated. This is usually done by granting, for example, “an undivided sixty percent (60%) interest” to one beneficiary and “undivided twenty percent (20%) interests” to each of the others. If the deed is silent or ambiguous, many recording offices and courts will default to equal shares, which is why specificity is critical.

From a legal drafting standpoint, this approach is consistent with general real property principles governing tenancies in common, where co-owners may hold unequal fractional interests. Courts routinely enforce unequal ownership allocations when they are clearly stated in the conveying instrument.

Because Lady Bird deeds are recognized through state-specific law and practice, and not every state permits them, it is important to confirm that your state recognizes enhanced life estate deeds and to ensure the deed complies with local recording requirements and property law.

Richard

I’m glad I could help. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.