All of our staff live on Cape Cod and are committed to making our Cape Cod community better. We have relationships with Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital, with virtually every skilled nursing facility and assisted living facility, hospice organization, visiting nurses association, and many other organizations that support the most vulnerable members of our community. In addition, each of us has personal ties to our community and has volunteered in various non-profit organizations while raising our families on Cape Cod. It is our honor and privilege to live and work on Cape Cod and to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients, many of whom are navigating challenging medical diagnoses or have experienced the loss of a cherished family member.
Karen Weston Hanesian, Esquire
Karen Weston Hanesian has practiced law in Hyannis for over 25 years. She concentrates her practice in the areas of elder law, estate and long-term care planning, guardianship and conservatorship, and MassHealth eligibility. Karen grew up on Cape Cod and returned to live on the Cape in 1992 after marrying her husband, Deran Hanesian.
Karen and Deran live in Cotuit and have raised two children who love the Cape as much as they do. Karen is a graduate of Suffolk Law School in Boston, Massachusetts and Lake Forest College. Karen’s past and present non-profit affiliations include: Director of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, President of Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, Inc., Trustee for the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands (now Spaulding Cape Cod), Director of Calmer Choice, Director of the Barnstable Land Trust and Cotuit Civic Association. She is also a member of numerous local organizations.
Zachary J. Gavin, Esquire
Zachary (“Zach”) Gavin joined the Law Office of Karen Weston Hanesian, PC, in April of 2021. He concentrates his practice in the areas of probate administration, guardianship and conservatorship, estate planning and MassHealth eligibility. Zachary is a graduate of Northeastern Law School and Lasell University.
He is a member of the Barnstable Bar Association and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and various local organizations. Zach and his wife Molly live in Centerville with their daughters.
Carol Bronsdon DeBenedictis, Paralegal
Carol Bronsdon DeBenedictis has worked with Karen Weston Hanesian since 1996. She concentrates in the areas of drafting estate planning documents, seller real estate transactions including deed research and preparation and MassHealth applications. She is a graduate of Cape Cod Community College. Carol raised her son in Bourne and she and her husband John now reside in Waquoit.
Jennifer B. Tickell, Paralegal
Jennifer B. Tickell joined the firm in 2015. Her primary concentration is helping elders and disabled persons access the MassHealth program. Jennifer stays current on the everchanging MassHealth regulations and she has developed relationships with the MassHealth Enrollment Center that allow her to better help vulnerable persons navigate the complex MassHealth application process. Jennifer is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo. Jennifer has volunteered in community and health care settings, ski patrolling, PTAs and as a Trustee on a Cape Cod library board. Jennifer and her husband John raised their children in Sandwich. She now resides in Yarmouth Port.
Kimberly M. Walsh, Paralegal
Kimberly M. Walsh joined the Law Office of Karen Weston Hanesian, P.C. in January 2025. Kimberly brings many years of experience and knowledge to the firm and specializes in Probate, Trust Administration, and Real Estate Law. She is a graduate of Stonehill College with a B.A. in Business Management and holds a Paralegal Certificate from Newbury College. Kimberly lives in Sandwich with her husband, Rich, and enjoys hiking, yoga, long walks and spending time with her family and friends.
Christine M. O’Brien, Bookkeeper
Christine (“Chris”) M. O’Brien has worked with Karen Weston Hanesian since 2007 as an independent bookkeeper and joined the practice in 2022 as a bookkeeper/paralegal. She handles the firm bookkeeping and prepares accountings for estates and conservatorships. Chris and her husband Matthew raised their four children in Bourne where they still reside.
Lauren Muise, Paralegal
Lauren Muise joined the Law Office of Karen Weston Hanesian, P.C. in 2025. Her concentration is in the areas of Guardianship and Conservatorship and drafting estate planning documents. She is a graduate of Framingham State University. Lauren resides in Hyannis with her three cats. She enjoys gardening, riding her motorcycle, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Kaia, Greeter
