Finding the right guardianship lawyer in North Carolina can help protect your loved one’s personal and financial interests when they cannot make decisions independently.
An experienced attorney can explain your legal options, prepare court documents, and guide you through the guardianship process.
This guide highlights 10 guardianship lawyers in North Carolina to help you compare their experience and find suitable legal support.
How We Selected These Guardianship Attorneys
We reviewed publicly available attorney profiles, law firm websites, credentials, and practice areas to identify North Carolina lawyers with relevant guardianship experience.
Our selection considered the following factors:
- Experience in guardianship and incompetency proceedings
- Background in elder law, probate, and estate planning
- Relevant professional credentials and legal services
This list is for informational purposes only, not an official ranking or endorsement. Verify each attorney’s current services, credentials, and availability before hiring.
List of 10 Guardianship Lawyers in North Carolina
Here are 10 North Carolina attorneys to consider for guardianship and related legal matters.
- C.W. Lachey – Mint Hill, NC
- Helayne Levy Payne – North Carolina
- Danica Lynn Little – North Carolina
- Mark D. Gott – Charlotte, NC
- Adam Gates Kerr – Greensboro, NC
- Emily Curto Weatherford – Raleigh, NC
- Lisa Salines-Mondello – Wilmington, NC
- Kara O’Conner Gansmann – North Carolina
- Steven DeCillis – Charlotte, NC
- Keith A. Bishop – Durham, NC
Read below for more details about each attorney’s background and relevant services.
1. C.W. Lachey – Mint Hill, NC
C.W. Lachey is one of the well-known guardianship lawyers serving families in Mint Hill and across North Carolina.
Through C.W. Lachey Law, he helps families navigate adult guardianship matters when a loved one can no longer manage personal or financial affairs independently.
His guardianship-related services include:
- Adult Guardianship Petitions: Guidance on seeking court-appointed guardianship.
- Guardian Responsibilities: Assistance with legal duties and court requirements.
- Financial and Estate Matters: Support with asset management and estate planning.
With a focus on adult guardianship and estate planning, C.W. Lachey helps families understand their legal options and work toward protecting vulnerable loved ones.
2. Helayne Levy Payne – North Carolina
Helayne Levy Payne practices through A Practice With Purpose, focusing on elder law and life care planning. Her services include guardianship, estate planning, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate.
Her legal background may help families address the needs of aging parents and vulnerable adults. Key areas of her practice include:
- Guardianship: Guidance on legal protection and decision-making.
- Estate Planning: Preparing plans to manage assets and future needs.
- Life Care Planning: Exploring legal options for long-term care.
- Probate and Trusts: Assistance with estate-related matters.
Her combined focus on elder law and future care planning makes her worth considering for families exploring guardianship or alternative legal arrangements.
3. Danica Lynn Little – North Carolina
Danica Lynn Little is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law. Her practice includes guardianship, elder law, special needs planning, estate administration, and trust disputes.
Her background in estate planning and financial management is relevant to families dealing with complex legal or financial matters. Key areas of her practice include:
- Guardianship: Legal support for guardianship-related matters.
- Elder Law: Planning for the needs of aging adults.
- Special Needs Planning: Preparing for long-term care and financial security.
- Probate and Trusts: Assistance with estate administration and trust disputes.
Her combination of estate planning and probate experience may be useful for families managing guardianship alongside inheritance, asset management, or long-term care concerns.
4. Mark D. Gott – Charlotte, NC
Mark D. Gott has a background in guardianship, elder law, and litigation. He previously served as an assistant clerk for the Mecklenburg County Superior Court, handling matters involving incompetency hearings and probate.
His court experience is relevant to families navigating complex guardianship proceedings. Key areas to discuss with his office include:
- Guardianship Disputes: Resolving disagreements over guardian appointments.
- Incompetency Proceedings: Guidance through court processes involving decision-making capacity.
- Elder Law: Addressing legal concerns affecting vulnerable adults.
- Probate Matters: Assistance with related estate issues.
His combination of court experience and legal practice may be relevant for families facing contested guardianship or concerns about an older relative’s care and assets.
5. Adam Gates Kerr – Greensboro, NC
Adam Gates Kerr practices through Kerr Law, PLLC, in Greensboro. His listed practice areas include estate planning, elder law, guardianship, and incompetency proceedings.
His services may be relevant to families seeking legal assistance with court petitions or estate planning. Key areas to discuss with his office include:
- Guardianship Petitions: Guidance on filing and preparing court documents.
- Incompetency Proceedings: Assistance with related legal processes.
- Estate Planning: Preparing documents to manage future needs.
- Elder Law: Addressing legal concerns affecting older adults.
Before hiring him, confirm his experience with your specific guardianship matter, particularly if it involves a contested hearing.
6. Emily Curto Weatherford – Raleigh, NC
Emily Curto Weatherford handles legal matters involving estate planning, probate, guardianship, and incompetency proceedings. Her publicly available attorney profile also indicates experience with guardianship appointments and challenges.
Her background may be relevant to families seeking help with guardianship applications or related estate matters. Key areas of her practice include:
- Guardianship Proceedings: Assistance with applications and appointments.
- Guardianship Challenges: Guidance on disputes involving guardianship decisions.
- Probate: Support with estate administration.
- Estate Planning: Preparing for future legal and financial needs.
Based in Raleigh, she may be a practical option for families in the surrounding area. Contact her office to confirm current services and experience with your specific case.
7. Lisa Salines-Mondello – Wilmington, NC
Lisa Salines-Mondello leads the Salines-Mondello Law Firm, PC. She is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law and a Certified Elder Law Attorney.
Her practice covers several areas related to guardianship and long-term care, including:
- Guardianship: Legal guidance for families supporting vulnerable adults.
- Medicaid Planning: Planning for eligible long-term care benefits.
- Special Needs Planning: Preparing for ongoing care and financial needs.
- Estate Planning and Probate: Assistance with asset management and estate administration.
Her elder law credentials and broad practice make her relevant to families navigating guardianship alongside long-term care, public benefits, and financial planning.
8. Kara O’Conner Gansmann – North Carolina
Kara O’Conner Gansmann practices elder law and estate planning through Cranfill Sumner LLP. Her listed experience includes guardianship and incompetency proceedings, estate administration, and fiduciary litigation.
Her legal background covers several areas relevant to complex guardianship cases:
- Guardianship Proceedings: Assistance with court appointments and related matters.
- Incompetency Cases: Legal proceedings involving decision-making capacity.
- Fiduciary Litigation: Disputes involving individuals responsible for managing another person’s affairs.
- Estate Administration: Legal support for trusts and estate-related matters.
Her experience in elder law and litigation may be particularly relevant to families dealing with contested guardianship appointments or disputes over the management of a vulnerable person’s affairs.
9. Steven DeCillis – Charlotte, NC
Steven B. DeCillis is the founder of DeCillis Law Firm, PLLC, in the Charlotte area. He earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has legal experience in North Carolina.
Although a legal directory lists him under guardianship law, his firm’s website primarily highlights family law and business law. Relevant aspects of his legal background include:
- Family Law: Representation in family-related legal matters.
- Civil Disputes: Assistance with legal conflicts.
- Business Law: Guidance on business-related legal issues.
His background may be relevant to certain family legal disputes, although publicly available information does not clearly establish a dedicated guardianship practice.
10. Keith A. Bishop – Durham, NC
Keith A. Bishop operates Keith A. Bishop, PLLC, in Durham. His firm’s published practice areas include civil litigation, family law, child custody, and other legal matters.
His legal background covers areas that may intersect with family-related disputes, including:
- Civil Litigation: Representation in civil legal disputes.
- Family Law: Assistance with family-related legal matters.
- Child Custody: Representation in custody disputes.
The firm’s available information does not clearly identify guardianship as a dedicated practice area. His inclusion provides another legal option to explore, but his specific experience with adult or minor guardianship proceedings is not established by the published information.
Comparison of These Guardianship Attorneys
The table below compares the 10 attorneys by location and relevant practice areas, helping you identify options that align with your guardianship needs.
| Attorney | Location | Main Practice Areas | Guardianship Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| C.W. Lachey | Mint Hill | Estate planning, elder law | Adult guardianship |
| Helayne Levy Payne | North Carolina | Elder law, life care planning | Guardianship, care planning |
| Danica Lynn Little | North Carolina | Estate planning, probate | Guardianship, special needs |
| Mark D. Gott | Charlotte | Elder law, litigation | Guardianship disputes |
| Adam Gates Kerr | Greensboro | Estate planning, elder law | Guardianship proceedings |
| Emily Curto Weatherford | Raleigh | Probate, estate planning | Appointments, challenges |
| Lisa Salines-Mondello | Wilmington | Elder law, Medicaid planning | Guardianship, special needs |
| Kara O’Conner Gansmann | North Carolina | Elder law, litigation | Guardianship disputes |
| Steven DeCillis | Charlotte | Family law, business law | Specialty not established |
| Keith A. Bishop | Durham | Civil litigation, family law | Specialty not established |
Guardianship Legal Services Offered in North Carolina
Guardianship lawyers help families protect loved ones and understand their legal responsibilities. Common services include:
- Adult Guardianship: Filing petitions for adults who cannot manage their affairs.
- Personal Care: Helping with healthcare and living arrangement decisions.
- Financial Management: Managing a person’s money and property.
- Guardianship Disputes: Handling disagreements over appointments or legal authority.
- Special Needs Planning: Planning for long-term care and financial support.
- Court Reporting: Helping guardians meet reporting and accounting requirements.
North Carolina courts decide whether guardianship is necessary and define a guardian’s authority. Less restrictive options, such as a valid power of attorney, may be suitable in some cases.
How to Choose the Right Guardianship Lawyer in North Carolina
Choosing the right estate planning lawyer in North Carolina can make the guardianship process easier. Consider these key factors before making your decision:
- Relevant Experience: Look for experience with guardianship petitions, hearings, and disputes.
- Knowledge of State Law: Choose someone familiar with North Carolina guardianship procedures.
- Clear Communication: Find a lawyer who explains legal matters in simple terms.
- Similar Cases: Consider their experience with elder law or special needs planning, depending on your situation.
- Transparent Fees: Ask about attorney fees, court costs, and other expenses.
- Verified Credentials: Check the lawyer’s license and professional standing through the North Carolina State Bar.
During your consultation, explain your needs and ask whether guardianship is necessary or if a less restrictive legal option may be suitable.
Cost of Hiring a Guardianship Attorney in North Carolina
Hiring a guardianship attorney in North Carolina may cost approximately 1,500–5,000 or more, depending on the case’s complexity, attorney fees, and whether the proceedings are contested. This is a general estimate, not a verified statewide average.
Ask for a clear fee breakdown, including court costs and other expenses. The North Carolina Judicial Branch lists a $120 filing fee and a $30 sheriff’s service fee for adult guardianship petitions. Additional charges may apply.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right guardianship lawyer in North Carolina can help protect your loved one’s rights and interests. The attorneys in this guide offer backgrounds in guardianship, elder law, and estate planning.
Compare their experience, fees, and relevant services to find a lawyer who fits your needs. Consider your specific situation before making a decision.
The right legal guidance can help your family understand the process, explore suitable options, and make informed decisions with greater confidence.
