
Stephanie Hood
Education
- New York University School of Law - LLM in Taxation
- University of Florida Levin College of Law - Juris Doctor
-cum laude, Estate Planning Book Award,
Treasurer of Florida Association of Women Lawyers - University of Miami Herbert Business School - Master of Professional Accounting
-Award of Academic Merit - Boston College Carroll School of Management - Bachelor of Science in Business
bar admissions
- California
- Florida
- New York
- Massachusetts (pending)
court admissions
- US Tax Court
Ms. Hood works with individuals and families to preserve their legacy by implementing estate plans that stand up to the specialized needs of each client. She has a deep understanding of each individual and family, the dynamics at play, the challenges, and their goals. Ms. Hood navigates the innate obstacles of estate planning and family relationships with ease, as the backbone to each of her client relationships is trust and respect. For this reason, Ms. Hood’s client relationships often span generations, and amount to planning for the family’s collective life’s work, legacy and heritage.
Whether the goal of her client is to minimize or avoid state and federal estate tax, plan for business succession or maximize philanthropic gifting, Ms. Hood honors her craft by designing, preparing and implementing custom estate plans. Praised as refreshingly practical, Ms. Hood guides clients through the otherwise complex process with ease, balancing practical considerations with technical expertise. Ms. Hood is experienced in the following planning strategies:
- Drafting Last Wills and Testaments, Revocable Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, General Conveyances, Trustee’s Certifications, Guardianship Appointments, Living Wills, Healthcare Directives and Various Other State Specific Healthcare Documents.
- Advising, Structuring and Implementing Various Irrevocable Trusts, Including, but not Limited to:
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs);Minor’s Trusts and Children’s Trusts;
- Dynasty Trusts and Descendants’ Trusts;
- Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs);
- Non-Grantor Qualified Small Business Stock Trusts (QSBS Trusts);
- Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs);
- Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts and Grantor Retained Unitrusts (GRATs and GRUTs);
- Various Charitable and Split-Interest Trusts (CRATs, CRUTs, CLATs, CLUTs, etc.)
- Planning for Pets.
- Advising on Special Needs Persons.
- Structuring and Consulting on the Unique Challenges Faced by Unmarried Lifelong Partners and Same Sex Couples.
- Preparing Federal Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Returns.
- Preparing State and Federal Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Returns.
- Forming, Transferring and Dissolving Closely Held Business Entities.
- Employing Valuation Discount Strategies that Minimize Federal and State Income, Gift, and Estate Tax.
- Transferring Real Property.
In addition to lifetime planning, Ms. Hood represents families and fiduciaries through the post-mortem planning and administration process. From probates to trust administrations, Ms. Hood approaches complex post-mortem challenges with creativity. Recognizing that each client and family situation is unique, she provides solutions for difficult funding, distribution, and transfer issues.
Ms. Hood leverages her income tax and accounting background to counsel and defend her clients against audits brought by the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities. She successfully negotiates settlements with the IRS and the Tax Appeals Officers.
Distinctions
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Trusts and Estates (2024)
Memberships and Affiliations
- Prior Publications Chair, Estate and Gift Tax Committee, Taxation Section of the State Bar of California
- Boston Estate Planning Council, Sponsorship Committee
Education
- New York University School of Law - LLM in Taxation
- University of Florida Levin College of Law - Juris Doctor
-cum laude, Estate Planning Book Award,
Treasurer of Florida Association of Women Lawyers - University of Miami Herbert Business School - Master of Professional Accounting
-Award of Academic Merit - Boston College Carroll School of Management - Bachelor of Science in Business
bar admissions
- California
- Florida
- New York
- Massachusetts (pending)
court admissions
- US Tax Court
Ms. Hood’s academic journey began at Boston College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Carroll School of Business Management with a double major in accounting and finance and a concentration in pre-law. From there, Ms. Hood attended business school, earning the degree – Master of Professional Accounting.
After completing business school, Ms. Hood began her tax advising career at a big four accounting firm. There, she advised clients in a Certified Public Accountant capacity, gaining valuable experience analyzing financial statements, advising businesses and consulting on a multitude of taxation issues. With this experience in-hand, Ms. Hood went on to pursue a degree in law with a focus on estate planning. After law school, Ms. Hood pursued an LL.M. degree in tax law (the highest attainable degree in the specialty) at New York University School of Law.
Since obtaining her first bar license in 2010, Ms. Hood has devoted her entire legal career to estate planning at some of the nation’s most well-respected law firms, advising founders, private equity stakeholders, celebrities, technology start-ups and real estate investors on their tax and estate planning matters.
Ms. Hood has experience in nearly every aspect of estate planning. It is with this unparalleled experience that Ms. Hood founded The Hood Firm, PC, with the goal of bringing her passion and expertise to a more expansive group of clients who value remarkable professional service and excellent technical expertise.
Ms. Hood holds an active bar license in California, New York and Florida and her admission to the State Bar of Massachusetts is currently underway.