Letha Sgritta McDowell

Letha Sgritta McDowell

Attorney specializing in elder law, special needs, complex estate administration
  • Elder Law, Estate Planning, Tax Law
  • North Carolina, Virginia
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Biography

Letha Sgritta McDowell is a highly accomplished attorney and shareholder at Hook Law, specializing in various areas of elder law, including estate planning, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection planning, long-term care planning, personal injury settlement consulting, guardianships & conservatorships, and tax law. Her expertise ranges from assisting clients with complex estate planning for high-net-worth individuals with assets over $75 million to developing simple plans for families with limited assets.

Ms. McDowell has a distinguished professional background. She served as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a notable position within the field. In recognition of her exceptional knowledge and experience, she was appointed as a Fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estates Council in 2020. Additionally, McDowell holds certifications as an elder law attorney from the National Elder Law Foundation and as one of only twenty-three Board Certified Specialists in Elder Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. Her expertise also extends to preparing and prosecuting claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs, as she is accredited for this purpose.

In 2023, McDowell was appointed as a Fellow of NAELA, further attesting to her esteemed reputation in the legal community. Her accomplishments in the field are remarkable, as evidenced by the fact that only three attorneys in North Carolina and six in Virginia hold this distinction.

She earned her JD from the University of Maine and a BA degree from Purdue University.

Letha Sgritta McDowell's extensive experience, professional affiliations, and noteworthy accolades make her an exceptional attorney in her areas of elder law specialization.

Education
University of Maine - School of Law
J.D. (2004)
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Purdue University - Purdue University
B.A. (2001)
Purdue University - Purdue University Logo
Wake Forest University
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Visitng student to increase exposure to tax law
Wake Forest University Logo
Professional Experience
Attorney, Shareholder
Hook Law
- Current
Attorney at Law
Oast & Taylor PLC
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Partner
Oast & Hook
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Certifications
Fellow
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
ACTEC Fellow
American College of Trusts and Estates Council
Certified Elder Law Attorney
National Elder Law Foundation
Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law
North Carolina State Bar
Professional Associations
North Carolina Bar Association
Elder Law Council
- Current
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Virginia Bar Association
Elder Law Council
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Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council
Member
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Norfolk SPCA
Board Member
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
North Carolina
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Virginia
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
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Practice Areas
    Elder Law
    Estate Planning
    Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
    Tax Law
    Business Taxes, Criminal Tax Litigation, Estate Tax Planning, Income Taxes, International Taxes, Payroll Taxes, Property Taxes, Sales Taxes, Tax Appeals, Tax Audits, Tax Planning
Additional Practice Areas
  • Asset Protection Planning
  • Estate and Trust Administration
  • Life Care Planning
  • Long-Term Care Planning
  • Small Business Planning
  • Veterans Benefits
Websites & Blogs
Website
Website
Contact & Map
Hook Law
8 Juniper Trail
Southern Shores, NC 27949
Telephone: (252) 722-2890
Fax: (757) 397-1267
Monday: 8 AM - 5 AM (Today)
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Hook Law
295 Bendix Road
Suite 170
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Telephone: (757) 399-7506
Fax: (757) 397-1267
Hook Law Center
5806 Harbour View Blvd.
Suite 203
Suffolk, VA 23435
Telephone: (757) 399-7506
Fax: (757) 397-1267