Benzie County Gift Deed Form

Benzie County Gift Deed Form
Fill in the blank form formatted to comply with all recording and content requirements.

Benzie County Gift Deed Guide
Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Benzie County Completed Example of the Gift Deed Document
Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.
All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees
Immediate Download • Secure Checkout
Additional Michigan and Benzie County documents included at no extra charge:
Where to Record Your Documents
Benzie County Register of Deeds
Beulah, Michigan 49617
Hours: 8:00 to 5:00 M-F
Phone: (231) 882-0016
Recording Tips for Benzie County:
- Verify all names are spelled correctly before recording
- Double-check legal descriptions match your existing deed
- Recording fees may differ from what's posted online - verify current rates
- Avoid the last business day of the month when possible
Cities and Jurisdictions in Benzie County
Properties in any of these areas use Benzie County forms:
- Benzonia
- Beulah
- Elberta
- Frankfort
- Honor
- Lake Ann
- Thompsonville
Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Benzie County
How do I get my forms?
Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Benzie County forms will be in your account ready to download to your computer. An account is created for you during checkout if you don't have one. Forms are NOT emailed.
Are these forms guaranteed to be recordable in Benzie County?
Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed all formatting requirements set forth by Benzie County including margin requirements, content requirements, font and font size requirements.
Can I reuse these forms?
Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in Benzie County you only need to order once.
What do I need to use these forms?
The forms are PDFs that you fill out on your computer. You'll need Adobe Reader (free software that most computers already have). You do NOT enter your property information online - you download the blank forms and complete them privately on your own computer.
Are there any recurring fees?
No. This is a one-time purchase. Nothing to cancel, no memberships, no recurring fees.
How much does it cost to record in Benzie County?
Recording fees in Benzie County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (231) 882-0016 for current fees.
Questions answered? Let's get started!
Gifts of Real Property (Real Estate) in Michigan
A gift deed, or deed of gift, is a legal document voluntarily transferring title to real property from one party (the grantor or donor) to another (the grantee or donee). A gift deed typically transfers real property between family or close friends. Gift deeds are also used to donate to a non-profit organization or charity. The deed serves as proof that the transfer is indeed a gift and without consideration (any conditions or form of compensation).
Valid deeds must meet the following requirements: The grantor must intend to make a present gift of the property, the grantor must deliver the property to the grantee, and the grantee must accept the gift. Gift deeds must contain language that explicitly states no consideration is expected or required, because any ambiguity or reference to consideration can make the deed contestable in court. A promise to transfer ownership in the future is not a gift, and any deed that does not immediately transfer the interest in the property, or meet any of the aforementioned requirements, can be revoked [1].
A lawful gift deed must also include the grantor's full name and marital status, as well as the grantee's full name, marital status, mailing address, and vesting. Vesting describes how the grantee holds title to the property. For Michigan residential property, the primary methods for holding title are tenancy in common, joint tenancy, and tenancy by entirety. A grant of ownership of real estate to two or more unmarried persons is presumed to create a tenancy in common, unless otherwise stated in the conveyance. Transfers to a married couple create a tenancy by entirety. (MCL 554.43--45). Gift property acquired by one spouse vests as sole ownership (MCL 557.21).
As with any conveyance of real estate, a gift deed requires a complete legal description of the parcel. Include all relevant documents, affidavits, forms, and fees with the along with the deed for recording as well. File a Property Transfer Affidavit whenever real estate is transferred to ensure correct assessment for tax purposes. The new owner must file in the city or township where the property is located within 45 days of transfer (MCL 207.504, 207.525). Record the completed deed at the local County Recorder's office.
The IRS levies a Federal Gift Tax on any transfer of property from one individual to another with no consideration, or consideration that is less than the full market value. Gifts of real property in Michigan are subject to this federal gift tax. In accordance with federal law, individuals are permitted an annual exclusion of $15,000 on gifts. This means that gifts valued below $15,000 do not require a federal gift tax return (Form 709). Even so, grantors should consider filing one for many gifts of real property [2]. The grantor is responsible for paying the federal gift tax; however, if the grantor does not pay the gift tax, the grantee will be held liable [1].
In Michigan, there is no state gift tax. For questions regarding tax laws, consult a tax specialist.
With gifts of real property, the recipient of the gift (grantee) is not required to declare the amount of the gift as income, but if the property accrues income after the transaction, the recipient is responsible for paying the requisite state and federal income taxes [3].
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Contact a lawyer with any questions about gift deeds or other issues related to the transfer of real property. For questions regarding federal and state taxation laws, consult a tax specialist.
[1]https://nationalparalegal.edu/public_documents/courseware_asp_files/realProperty/PersonalProperty/InterVivosGifts.asp
[2] http://msuextension.org/publications/FamilyFinancialManagement/MT199105HR.pdf
[3] https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/frequently-asked-questions-on-gift-taxes
(Michigan Gift Deed Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)
Important: Your property must be located in Benzie County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.
This Gift Deed meets all recording requirements specific to Benzie County.
Our Promise
The documents you receive here will meet, or exceed, the Benzie County recording requirements for formatting. If there's an issue caused by our formatting, we'll make it right and refund your payment.
Save Time and Money
Get your Benzie County Gift Deed form done right the first time with Deeds.com Uniform Conveyancing Blanks. At Deeds.com, we understand that your time and money are valuable resources, and we don't want you to face a penalty fee or rejection imposed by a county recorder for submitting nonstandard documents. We constantly review and update our forms to meet rapidly changing state and county recording requirements for roughly 3,500 counties and local jurisdictions.
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May 11th, 2025
While it's nice to get all the forms and info in one package for a reasonable cost, the fixed format of the form does not allow for a lengthy meet and bounds property description for real property. Also, the Cover Sheet has big fillable sections with no instructions about what's supposed to go there. I tried the "Contact Us" link, but all it does is spin saying it's trying verify the security of my connection. Looks like I;m going to have to create my own deed in MS Word instead of just filling in the blacks of the PDF file that I downloaded. Bummer!
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