Cynthia T. Fenninger

Cynthia T. Fenninger offers deep expertise in estate planning, estate administration, and tax law, guiding clients through complex legal and financial matters focusing on precision, discretion, and long-term strategy. As a North Carolina State Bar-certified Estate Planning and Probate Law specialist, Cynthia assists individuals, families, and fiduciaries in achieving tax-efficient wealth transfer, asset protection, and legacy preservation.

Cynthia earned her J.D. with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she was inducted into the Order of the Coif. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina, earning a B.A. with distinction and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. This academic foundation supports a practice marked by thoughtful planning, analytical rigor, and client-centered representation.

With over 30 years of experience in estate planning, Cynthia designs and implements advanced strategies—such as charitable trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), and qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs)—to help reduce estate, inheritance, and income taxes. She also creates living trusts to streamline asset management, avoid probate, and improve tax efficiency. In addition, she advises on irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), integrates retirement benefits into comprehensive estate plans, and handles the preparation of fiduciary income, gift, and estate tax returns.

In estate administration, Cynthia advises fiduciaries on their powers and duties, handles valuation issues, and facilitates smooth administration. She also structures lifetime gifting plans and oversees tax-free reorganizations involving family-held assets, aligning legal solutions with personal and financial priorities.

Cynthia T. Fenninger is a partner at Orsbon & Fenninger, LLP in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is an active member of the American Bar Association’s Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law sections and the Taxation Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. Clients value her for her clear counsel, meticulous planning, and unwavering dedication to achieving results with discretion and care.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Orsbon & Fenninger, LLP
• Member, American Bar Association, Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law sections
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association, Taxation section

Licensed State

• North Carolina

Education

• University of North Carolina School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of North Carolina
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges