April D. Wise | Estate Planning & Trusts

Education

Bar Admissions

What types of matters do you work on most often?

I most often assist clients with preparing estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorneys, and advance directives. I also advise personal representatives, trustees, or beneficiaries through probate administrations or trust administrations, including will contests or other estate or trust litigation. In addition, I work with families with special needs individuals to create a plan for the care of the special needs individual.
How are you involved in your community?

Giving back to one’s community is a duty we all have. I am a Past-President of the Montgomery Capital Rotary Club, where I remain actively involved. I am also a current board member of the Saint James School Board of Trustees, the Central Alabama Community Foundation, and the Montgomery Estate Planning Council. I regularly volunteer for Wills for Heroes and other bar related pro bono matters in my areas of practice. I have previously served as part of Emerge Torchbearers Leadership Class IV, the Montgomery Mayor’s Young Professional Council, the Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Group, the River Region Women In Business, and the Montgomery Junior League. I am active at Vaughn Forest Baptist Church, where I teach Girls in Action to elementary students. I also previously served as a Chair of the Capital Campaign.

Select Matters

Favorable estate settlement: Represented personal representatives and beneficiaries to achieve a favorable estate settlement in estate litigation matters.
Trust construction, modification, and reformation: Represented several trustees and beneficiaries in successfully reforming, modifying or construing trusts to meet the current needs of the beneficiaries.
Tax planning: Developed estate plans for high net worth individuals to preserve family assets for the next generation.
Special needs planning: Worked with numerous families with special needs individuals to develop a plan for the management of assets for the benefit of the special needs individual to ensure continuity of care. In addition, I regularly assist plaintiff attorneys with the structure of settlement proceeds for the benefit of special needs individuals.
Guardianships and Conservatorships: Regularly advise families through the process of obtaining guardianship and conservatorships over minors and incapacitated adults and also represent families when disputes arise over who should serve in the role of guardian and conservator.
Adoptions: Successfully assist clients through the process of adoption.

Education

Bar Admissions

Professional Affiliations

National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC), Board of Directors
Alabama State Bar, Disciplinary Rules & Enforcement Committee, 2019-2020
Academy of Special Needs Planners, Member
Montgomery Estate Planning Council, Vice-President
Montgomery Capital Rotary Club, Past President
American Bar Association
Emerge Torchbearers Leadership Class IV, Member

Awards & Accolades

The Best Lawyers in America^®, Elder Law, Trusts and Estates, 2023-present
Mid-South Super Lawyers, Rising Star
Rotary International’s Presidential Citation
Cumberland Law Review, Symposium Editor
Montgomery Advertiser Readers' Choice "Best of the Best" Attorney - Social Security & Disability, Runner Up, 2019

Community Involvement