Elizabeth W. Abel

Elizabeth W. Abel is a shareholder at Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C. with a practice focused on estate planning, business law, tax matters, and nonprofit organizations. She provides comprehensive legal guidance to individuals, families, and business owners on structuring estates, reducing tax liabilities, and managing legal responsibilities. Her services include drafting wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and advising clients through probate and trust administration.

Elizabeth earned her B.A. from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, graduating summa cum laude, her J.D., magna cum laude, from Cumberland School of Law, and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University. Admitted to the Alabama Bar in 1984, she is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

Beyond estate planning, Elizabeth counsels business clients on entity formation and ongoing compliance. She drafts and reviews corporate governance documents and shareholder agreements, and advises partnerships, LLCs, and corporations on their day-to-day legal needs. Elizabeth also designs and implements employee benefit programs—such as 401(k) plans, cafeteria plans, ESOPs, and other retirement plans—for both private companies and nonprofit organizations. In addition, she helps nonprofits obtain and preserve tax-exempt status, including through the creation and management of charitable trusts and endowments.

Elizabeth W. Abel is rated BV Distinguished® by Martindale-Hubbell and is a respected voice on estate planning topics, frequently speaking at community and legal events. She is active in professional associations, including the Alabama State Bar, Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association, and the Estate and Financial Planning Council of Huntsville. Committed to civic involvement, she volunteers with the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville and several local organizations. Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience and trusted counsel to clients planning for the future or managing business, tax, and nonprofit matters.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C.
• Member, Alabama Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association, Probate and Trusts, Business, and Tax Sections
• Member, Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association
• Member, Estate & Financial Planning Council of Huntsville, Alabama

Licensed State

• Alabama

Education

• New York University, New York, NY
  LLM in Taxation
• Cumberland School of Law, Birmingham, AL
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL
  BA with Summa Cum Laude

Awards & Badges