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Letha Sgritta McDowell
About Letha
Biography
With expertise spanning estate planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, and tax law, Letha offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of her clients. Whether navigating complex asset protection strategies or planning for the future, Letha’s provides thoughtful guidance and strategic solutions, deigned to achieve her clients’ goals.
Letha’s influence extends beyond her law practice. Letha is passionate about sharing her knowledge and dedication for elder law with others. Her expertise is sought after in the legal community, where she frequently teaches continuing education programs on elder law and special needs planning and has contributed articles to national media outlets and publications. Her educational reach includes teaching Tax & Estate Law, at the prestigious Stetson Law University, where she is an adjunct faculty member. Additionally, she serves as a subject matter expert for InterActive Legal Estate and Elder Law Planning software and has worked on law and technology initiatives, including IBM's Watson project.
Letha's exceptional contributions have earned her numerous appointments and accolades, including being named a Super Lawyer Rising Star for multiple years and a Super Lawyer for consecutive years. She has earned the prestigious appointment of Fellow, both from the American College of Trust and Estate Council and from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Additionally, she is a certified elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation (CELA) and board certified as a specialist in Elder Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. These appointments and accolades serve as a testament to Letha's unwavering commitment to excellence both in her field and to her clients.
Licensed to Practice & Represent
• North Carolina State Bar
• Virginia State Bar
• United States District Court – Eastern District of North Carolina
Accreditations, Associations + Awards
• Fellow, American College of Trusts and Estates Council (“ACTEC”)
• Fellow, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
• Elder Law Attorney Certified (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation
• Board Certified as a Specialist in Elder Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
• Accredited to prepare and prosecute claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs
• Adjunct Faculty, Stetson Law College
• Special Advisor on Elder Law Planning, InterActive Legal
• Rated AV preeminent 5.0/5.0 by Martindale-Hubbell
• Super Lawyer 2018 – 2024
• Super Lawyer Rising Star for 2014 – 2016
• Member of the Board of Directors for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) 2017-2023
• Member, Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA)
• Member, North Carolina Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NC NAELA)
Education
• University of Maine’s School of Law | Juris Doctor, 2004
• Purdue University | Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 2001
Practice Areas
8
Practice Areas
Elder Law
16%
23 years
Estate Planning
12%
23 years
Guardianship
12%
23 years
Medicaid and Medicare
12%
23 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Virginia for 19 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in North Carolina for 21 years
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
McDowell Law Group
8 Juniper Trail, Southern Shores, NC, 27949
McDowell Law Group
4445 Corporation Lane, Suite 200, Virginia Beach, VA, 23462
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Letha Sgritta McDowell's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
1 Client Review
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Crystina | September 01, 2015 | Tax
CELA
This certified Elder Law Attorney has given me advice on my cases and she is one of the best educated, most practical attorneys that I know. She is so knowledgable about tax consequences, spend down provisions, VA benefits, and how to protect your or your parents assets when we face retirement that ...
Letha Sgritta McDowell's Lawyer Endorsements
"I highly endorse Letha, both for her technical skills, and for her compassion for clients and the effort she puts into each her work for each client. She is skilled both in tax planning and planning for non-taxable estates that may require governmental benefits such as medicaid and VA payments. Letha is also licensed in Virginia, so she works in both Virginia and North Carolina, and now lives on the outer banks of North Carolina. I would send my clients, even my parents, to her without hesitation."
"I endorse Letha. She is an excellent Elder Law attorney and takes the time with her clients to ensure they understand their long-term care options."
"I highly endorse this lawyer. Letha is an outstanding attorney."
"Letha McDowell is a fantastic lawyer. When she helps her clients plan for retirement and/or estate planning, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. She understands medicare planning, veterans benefits, tax consquences, special needs trusts, etc. Protect your estate, protect your retirement savings, protect your loved ones - go to an attorney who knows what they are doing in this field. Letha has the experience and credentials to prove that she knows her business and she will save you money in the long run."
Sandra Smith
Elder law lawyer
Crystina O'Brien
Family lawyer
William Oast
Litigation lawyer
Stephen Taylor
Estate planning lawyer
Experience
Honors
2023
NAELA Fellow, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
2020
ACTEC Fellow, American College of Estate and Trust Council (ACTEC)
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Managing Member, Attorney, CELA, McDowell Law Group
2016 - 2024
Shareholder, Hook Law
2013 - 2016
Managing Partner - Garner Office, Walker Lambe Rhudy Costley & Gill, PLLC
2012 - 2013
Attorney at Law, Oast & Taylor PLC
2005 - 2012
Attorney at Law, Oast & Hook, P.C.
Associations
2010 - Present
Virginia Bar Association
2010 - Present
North Carolina Bar AssociationElder Law Section Council
Education
2004
University of Maine School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2001
Purdue University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2013
17th Annual Elder Law Symposium
Case Law Updates/Recent Devlopments
2012
NCBA Elder Law Basics
Recent Developments
Publications
2012
Interest.com
“4 reasons to be wary of a reverse mortgage”
2012
BNA International
Defending the maligned reverse mortgage
2011
Gray Matters
Editor
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers