Kara O'Conner Gansmann
CHARLOTTE, NC | RALEIGH, NC | Cranfill Sumner LLP • Wilmington, NC
GuardianshipEstate PlanningPersonal InjuryProbateReal Estate
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Contact
Email
Phone
(910) 832-1065
Address
5535 Currituck Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403, US
Professional
About
Kara Gansmann devotes her entire practice to elder law and estate planning in the Wilmington office of Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law). Kara is especially well-suited for this practice thanks to her strong interpersonal skills, her diplomatic demeanor, and pragmatic approach to problem-solving. She brings a solid sense of collegiality to her work with both clients and professionals, alike. In private consultations, Kara counsels individuals and families on tactics for estate planning, asset-protection, and long-term care planning. Kara drafts wills, powers of attorney, and trusts, including pet trusts, revocable and irrevocable living trusts, and special needs trusts. Kara also advises clients on eligibility for certain public benefits like Veterans’ Special Pension and prepares applications for Medicaid and Special Assistance. In the courtroom, Kara represents clients trust and estate administration matters, will caveats, guardianship/incompetency proceedings, and fiduciary litigation. Kara also represents clients in administrative hearings for denials of public benefits such as Medicaid. Kara leads a team of experienced professionals who offer clients additional efficiency in legal transactions. These paralegals assist clients in matters ranging from probate to care-giver agreements or promissory notes to real estate deed transactions intended for asset protection. Kara’s team also includes a certified geriatric care senior advisor, who assists with placement in care facilities. Kara’s entire team understands the urgency and stress associated with elders’ needs. Prior to joining CSH Law, Kara served as a staff attorney on an appellate court in Houston, Texas. There, she managed all aspects of complex civil and criminal appellate matters and drafted over 200 judicial opinions for court justices in six years. Because of this unique experience, Kara advises her litigation clients on effective trial strategies for successful appeals. Kara frequently presents on elder law issues to community organizations, churches, and neighborhood associations across Southeastern North Carolina. She is a prolific writer on legal issues affecting seniors. She is also a devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister, and niece to all the important people in her life.
About Guardianship Law
Guardianship attorneys help families establish legal guardianship for minors or incapacitated adults who cannot care for themselves. Common matters include minor guardianship, adult guardianship, conservatorship, emergency guardianship.
Credentials
Education
2007 University of North Dakota JD - Juris Doctor 2005 University of North Dakota BA - Bachelor of Arts 1998 University of North Carolina, Wilmington BA - Bachelor of Arts
Recognition & Involvement
Awards
2018 Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
Publications
2018 National Business Institute Seminar Marshalling Assets: Key Complications,” and “Creditors’ Claims Frustrations 2018 North Carolina Lawyer Renaissance Woman: World Traveler, Lawyer, Writer, Volunteer Kara Gansmann Can’t Be Stopped 2017 National Business Institute Seminar What are Trusts? Main Trust Principles 2017 National Business Institute Seminar Medicaid Estate Recovery 2017 North Carolina Bar Association Medicaid Planning Strategies
Associations
2018 - Present North Carolina Bar Association, Elder Law Section Member New Hanover County Bar Association Member Houston Bar Association, Adopt An Angel Member Order of Barristers Member North Carolina State Bar, CLE Committee Co-chair
Speaking
2019 Medicaid: New Rules in Benefits, Eligibility, and More Medicaid: New Rules in Benefits, Eligibility, and More 2019 Estate Planning: Top 7 Tools to Know Advanced Directive Tips: making Healthcare Wishes Explicit 2019 Estate Planning: Top 7 Tools to Know Durable Powers of Attorney Insights 2018 Step-by-Step Guide to Drafting Wills and Trusts Documenting Long-Term Care, Incapacity, and End-of-Life Decisions
Other Guardianship Attorneys in NC
Updated: Jun 02, 2026