Letha Sgritta McDowell

Specializing in estate planning, asset protection, elder law, and special needs

Letha Sgritta McDowell is a highly accomplished attorney and shareholder at McDowell Law Group, 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.

Elder Law
Estate Planning
Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Tax Law
Estate Tax Planning
Video Conferencing Google Meet Zoom GoToMeeting Microsoft Teams
Fees
  • Free Consultation
North Carolina
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Languages

  • English:
    Spoken, Written

Attorney, Member
McDowell Law Group, PLLC
2024 –

Current

Specializing in estate planning, elder law, estate and trust administration and special needs planning, including related tax advice and compliance for both North Carolina and Virginia residents.
Subject Matter Expert and Consultant
InterActive Legal
2015 –

Current

Act as a subject matter expert to provide guidance to software publisher supporting estate planning and elder law attorneys
Attorney, Shareholder
Hook Law
2016 –

2024

Attorney at Law
Oast & Taylor PLC
2012 –

2016

Partner
Oast & Hook
2005 –

2012

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
2004


2004

Visitng student to increase exposure to tax law
Wake Forest University Logo
North Carolina Chapter of NAELA

Board Member
Current
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VAELA

member
Current
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American College of Trusts and Estates Council

2023 –
Current
Activities: Fiduciary income tax committee and elder law committee
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North Carolina Bar Association

Elder Law Council
2011 –
Current
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Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council

Member
2009 –
Current
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National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Past President
2009 –
Current
Activities: Past board member and member of the executive committee, including acting as NAELA President.
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Virginia Bar Association

Elder Law Council
2011 –
2012
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Norfolk SPCA

Board Member
2009 –
2010
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Articles & Publications
Elder Law Report
Wolters Kluwer
2024
Special Needs Trust Handbook
Wolters Kluwer
2024
Life Estates Revisited
Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal
2019
Dead Celebrity Podcast – Marlon Brando: Loss of Capacity
Wealthmanagment.com
October, 2019
Protecting The Spouse of a Client Needing Long-Term Care
Wealthmanagment.com
February, 2019

Will Individuals with Disabilities Be Forced into Nursing Homes?
Wealthmanagment.com
November, 2018
Guns & Dementia
Wealthmanagment.com
October, 2018
Ten Signs Your Client Has Dementia
Trusts & Estates Magazine
July, 2018
Asset Protection and Long-Term Care Planning for The Unmarried Couple
Trusts & Estates Magazine
June, 2018
Challenges To Eligibility for Health Coverage
Trusts & Estates Magazine
December, 2017
Asset Protection Planning for Blended Families
NAELA Journal
November, 2017
Recent Developments and Trends in Elder Law
Trusts & Estates Magazine
June, 2017
IRS Confirms Safety of Qtip and Portability Elections
WG&L Estate Planning Journal
February, 2017

Websites & Blogs

Website
McDowell Law Group

McDowell Law Group
8 Juniper Trail
Southern Shores, NC 27949
US
Telephone: (252) 390-4690
Monday: 8:30 AM – 5 AM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM (Today)
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

McDowell Law Group
4445 Corporation Lane, Suite 200
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
US
Telephone: (757) 863-4890
Monday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Today)
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed