M. Beth Burger
bburger@fsolegal.com
812.602.3576
I have concentrated my practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law, tax reduction planning, charitable giving, special needs planning for disabled or elderly individuals, asset protection planning, business law and business succession planning. I represent fiduciaries and beneficiaries with respect to trust, estate, and guardianship administration. I was, in fact, among the first Indiana attorneys to be certified as a specialist in estate planning and administration by the Indiana State Planning and Administration Specialty Certification Board.
I guide my clients through the process of choosing the most appropriate options for preserving and transferring to future generations the assets they have accumulated during their lives, with the ultimate objective of passing those assets to my clients’ family members and other chosen beneficiaries in the manner and under the terms my clients feel are most desirable, while taking into consideration the applicable laws and associated tax consequences. I am proactive in helping clients and their families navigate the complex areas of planning for possible incapacity, minimizing death taxes, and protecting assets from such risks of loss as creditors, divorce, undue influence, and long-term care needs.
I often work with clients who are business owners, and I assist with the succession of the ownership and management of the business to future generations, as well as the general legal needs of the business itself. In fact, I have found that my practice and experience in both estate planning and business law complement each other well, enabling me to provide more comprehensive legal services and advice to my individual clients who are also business owners.
When incapacity or death occurs, I stand ready to work with and guide those responsible for stepping in, whether under a power of attorney, guardianship, estate, or trust administration situation.
Where special needs planning is required, I assist clients who wish to leave an inheritance for disabled loved ones without causing ineligibility for needs-based government benefits, and I help disabled clients to maintain eligibility for government benefits while preserving assets received through such things as inheritance or personal injury settlements.
Practice Areas
• Estate Planning and Personal Services
• Estate, Trust, and Guardianship Administration
• Special Needs Planning
• Business Services
Education
1990 - University of Evansville - Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Summa Cum Laude
1993 - Indiana University School of Law (Bloomington) - Doctor of Jurisprudence, Cum Laude, Order of the Coif
Bar Admissions
1993 - State of Indiana
Professional Associations
Past Chair - Evansville Bar Association, Probate, Elder Law and Guardianship Section
President, Board of Directors, Past Vice President, Past Treasurer, Past Secretary, Member - Evansville Estate and Financial Planning Council
Seminar Speaker and Panelist - Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum
Member - Indiana State Bar Association
Member - Evansville Bar Association
Boards and Service to Community
Board of Directors, Executive Board, Secretary - The Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana, Inc. (2023 - Present)
Court-Appointed Special Advocate - Vanderburgh County CASA (2022-Present)
Past Member - Riley Children's Foundation Southwest Indiana Regional Leadership Committee
Lector - Saint Benedict Cathedral (2011-Present)
Lector - Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (1995-2009)
Past Executive Board, Past Board Member, Past Committee Chair, Past Member - Junior League of Evansville (1993-2005)
Past Member - Leadership Evansville
Past Board of Directors - Vanderburgh Community Foundation (2003-2009); Past Scholarship Committee Chair
Past Board of Directors - Community Foundation Alliance Past President and Member - Crescent City Toastmasters Club
Honors
2020 - 2024 Indiana Super Lawyer - Estate Planning and Probate Law
2022 Best Lawyers in the Midwest - Trusts and Estates Law
2025 Best Lawyers in America® - Trusts and Estates, Elder Law, and Closely Held Companies