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Stephanie Sauer Woods

Probate Attorney at Altamonte Springs, FL

5.0   5 reviews

Licensed for 17 years

About Stephanie

Learn Stephanie’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Elder law
    25%
    Advance Directives; Living Will; Designation of Health Care Surrogate; Durable Power of Attorney; Medicaid Planning

  2. Estate planning
    25%
    Wills & Trusts; Durable Powers of Attorney; Advance Directives; Living Wills and Designation of Health Care Surrogate; Special Needs Trusts; Revocable Trusts; Living Trusts; Testamentary Trusts; Life Estate Deeds

  3. Guardianship
    25%
    Plenary Guardianship; Limited Guardianship; Guardian of the Person; Guardian of the Property; Guardianship of an Incapacitated Adult; Guardianship of a Minor Child; Voluntary Guardianship; Guardian Advocacy

  4. Probate
    25%
    Formal Administration; Summary Administration; Ancillary Administration; Distribution without Administration; Intestate Succession; Testamentary

PERSONALIZED, QUALITY ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE SERVICES WITH COMPASSION.

I am a native Floridian and 3rd generation attorney with over 20 years of legal experience as a legal assistant and an attorney. I focus my practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, guardianship and elder law.

 

I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies. While attending the University of Central Florida, I was an active member of Alpha Xi Delta, a woman’s fraternity. I was also a member of Phi Alpha Delta, a law fraternity, and was the Treasurer and a founding member of the UCF Trial Team. 

 

I earned my Juris Doctor and an Estates and Trusts Practices Certificate from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. While attending the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, I served as a Teaching Assistant for Legal Research & Writing, as well as, for Appellate Advocacy. I was a member of the Estates, Trusts and Elder Law Society and served as Vice President and President of the organization. I was also the Senior Student Assistant for the Center for Estate and Elder Law Planning. During my final year of law school I had the honor of working as a Judicial Intern for the Honorable Lawrence R. Kirkwood in the Probate Division of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Orlando, Florida.

 

I was recently selected and awarded a certificate by the American Society of Legal Advocates (ALSA) as a Top 40 Trusts & Estates Lawyer Under 40 in the State of Florida for the Year 2016.

The ALSA is an invitation-only, nationwide organization of elite lawyers in practice today who combine stellar legal credentials with a proven commitment to community engagement and the highest professional standards. A team of lawyers spent six months researching tens of thousands of lawyers across the country and manually selecting less than 1.5% of all lawyers based on an array of criteria. ASLA’s Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 listings recognize exceptional legal talent and early promise among the next generation of great lawyers.

 

I have a Superb Rating (10.0 out of 10.0) with Avvo and have been a Top Contributor on Avvo for the past several years based upon the answers and advice that I have provided to questions asked on legal topics within my areas of practice.

 

 

Photos and videos

Licensed for 17 years
State FL
Status Member in Good Standing
Acquired 2005
Updated 02/23/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Stephanie

The Woods Law Firm, P.A.
999 Douglas Avenue
Suite 3323
Altamonte Springs, FL, 32714

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  5 customer reviews
5 Star
 
100%
4 Star
 
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3 Star
 
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2 Star
 
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1 Star
 
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Posted by Kris | July 2, 2013
Competent and nice
Stephanie helped us execute a trust in a situation where there was a great deal of bitterness in the family. With her knowledge of the law and her light, professional touch, we got through it without a single argument. We will always be grateful to her for her kind assistance during this very difficult time in our lives.
Posted by marinabiz | March 6, 2013
Knowlegable and Patient
Ms. Woods answered a question posted on AVVO and I contacted her for a consulation. We spoke for nearly an hour, she allowed me to fully explain my situation. Her knowlege regarding Elder Law and more specifically the applicable case law, Levine v Levine, was a tremendous help. Ms. Woods represented a compass where I had been navigating through unfamiliar beaurocratic terrain! Her advise was sensible and considered the many outcomes I might be faced with. With regard to family law, financial disputes, guardianships and complicated proceedings she was spot on! If you find yourself suddenly cut off from an elder loved one and are unfamiliar with guardianships and "undue influence" your first course of action should be to contact an attorney with expertise. Stepahinie Woods is clearly an advocate for the vulnerable, call her.
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Posted by Charles DiGerlando | December 5, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Estate Planning Law
Stephanie was extremely professional. She comes from a long line of lawyers, and really understands estate planning. Was able to lay out all of the options in lay terms, so that a decision could be made on the planning of my estate. I look forward to working with her more in the future.
Posted by anonymous | October 15, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Estate plan
Very thorough and helped me set up my will, advance directives and trust plans. She made me think of issues and contingencies that I hadn't thought about. Highly recommend
Posted by Keith | February 10, 2015
Intelligent, professional and well prepared
I had to deal with an guardianship accounting issue dating back to 2005. I visited multiple lawyers prior to meeting Ms. Woods and found that they really didn't seem to have a full grasp of what needed to be done to properly file the guardianship accounting paperwork. Within ten minutes of our initial meeting, it was clear Ms. Woods knew the exact steps to take to get the paperwork in proper order. She was able to give my wife and I very specific instructions on the paperwork we would need, the paperwork she would need and the paperwork the court would need. She also asked us questions we didn't know to ask and that none of the other lawyers even brought up. With her guidance and the assistance of her associates Karen and Norma, we were able to get all of the paperwork put together in a couple of weeks (which is even more impressive when noting these were holiday weeks). The paperwork has now been properly filed with the court and we now know how and when to get this paperwork filed for future years. I cannot begin to stress how much peace of mind having someone who knows the process as well as Ms. Woods does can provide. I would highly recommend her for any family law matter.
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Cost

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Contact for Details

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Attorney
  • The Woods Law Firm, P.A.
  • 2009 - Present
  • Attorney
  • Donahue & Associates, P.A.
  • 2004 - 2009
  • Legal Intern
  • Ninth Judicial Circuit, Florida
  • 2003 - 2003

Education

  • University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2003
  • University of Central Florida
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1999

Associations

  • Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Florida Bar, Elder Law Section
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Orange County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Orange County Bar Association, Estate, Guardianship and Trust Committee
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Orange County Bar Association, Elder Law Section
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Seminole County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Florida Bar
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Seminole County Bar Association
  • Board of Directors
  • 2011 - 2011
  • Seminole County Bar Association
  • Board of Directors
  • 2010 - 2010
  • Seminole County Bar Association
  • Board of Directors
  • 2009 - 2009
  • Seminole County Young Lawyers Division
  • Treasurer
  • 2009 - 2010
  • Seminole County Young Lawyers Division
  • Board of Directors
  • 2009 - 2010
  • Seminole County Young Lawyers Division
  • Board of Directors
  • 2008 - 2009
  • Seminole County Bar Association
  • Board of Directors
  • 2008 - 2008
  • Seminole County Young Lawyers Division
  • Treasurer
  • 2008 - 2009
  • Seminole County Young Lawyers Division
  • Board of Directors
  • 2007 - 2008
  • Seminole County Young Lawyers Division
  • Program Chair
  • 2007 - 2008
  • Orange County Bar Association, Elder Law Section
  • Chairperson
  • 2005 - 2006
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 - Estates & Trusts
  • American Society of Legal Advocates
  • 2016
  • Certificate of Appreciation for Pro Bono Services
  • Orange County Legal Aid Society
  • 2009
  • Certificate of Appreciation for Pro Bono Services
  • Orange County Legal Aid Society
  • 2006

Attorney endorsements

Received (22)
Given (6)
Endorse Stephanie
Unknown Attorney | Mar 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Guardianship Attorney | Feb 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have known Stephanie Woods for 3 years. I have worked with her on a few cases during that time. She has a great understanding of the estate, guardianship, and probate areas of law. Stephanie always provides a great level of care and understanding to her clients."
Elder law Attorney | Jun 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of her clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
Estate planning Attorney | Apr 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Stephanie is outstanding in her practice area and is highly respected in the legal community. I endorse her wholeheartedly."
Elder law Attorney | Mar 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mrs. Woods is a distinguished attorney having handled many complex issues with humanity as well as an indepth knowledge of the law. I endorse her wholeheartedly."
Elder law Attorney | Aug 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Guardianship Attorney | Jul 05
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. She is a fantastic attorney. I have referred Stephanie business over the years and she always makes me look good. She is the best."
Elder law Attorney | Apr 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Unknown Attorney | Apr 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Probate Attorney | Apr 12
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer."
Unknown Attorney | Mar 25
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
Estate planning Attorney | Mar 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Probate Attorney | Mar 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Woods and I practice in the same areas of law, so I have had an opportunity to review a great many of her responses to Avvo questions. Her answers always reflect a solid understanding of the law and she provides advice that is both practical and helpful. I am happy to endorse her and her services. James Frederick"
Elder law Attorney | Mar 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"As a fellow Estate Planning & Elder Law attorney, I know that Stephanie's work helps families deal with some of the most difficult challenges of their life. She brings dedication, maturity and professionalism to her practice and she is respected by peers and clients alike. She is a credit to the legal profession and I'm pleased to endorse her."
Estate planning Attorney | Mar 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Woods has a superb rating on AVVO and provides an excellent service to the community with the extra effort to help people understand legal issues."
Elder law Attorney | Mar 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Feb 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Guardianship Attorney | Dec 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Probate Attorney | Dec 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Stephanie's attention to detail, combined with her wonderful communication skills, make her a perfect fit for clients facing probate and estate planning related issues. Her ability to clearly and simply communicate what can often be complex concepts to clients make her an invaluable resource for clients. I highly recommend Stephanie's work."
Estate planning Attorney | Dec 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
View more endorsements