Protect What Matters Most: Estate Planning Q&A with Shekar Jayaraman
Estate planning can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this Q&A, we sit down with Shekar Jayaraman, Attorney and Founder of Jayaraman Law, LLC, to talk about how families — especially parents — can take simple, practical steps to protect their children, avoid unnecessary conflict, and create lasting peace of mind.
1. Tell us about yourself and your practice
I’m an estate planning attorney and the founder of Jayaraman Law, where our mission is to help families protect what matters most: the people they love. Our practice is rooted in relationships, not just legal documents. We spend time getting to know our clients, their values, and their hopes for their children. My goal is to remove the fear and uncertainty from the planning process and replace it with clarity, security, and peace of mind. We serve families across Illinois and beyond, and we pride ourselves on making estate planning approachable, understandable, and tailored to each family’s unique circumstances.
2. Can you describe what the estate planning process looks like?
The process begins with a 2 Hour Life & Legacy Planning Session, where we sit down together to talk about your family, your assets, and your goals. This is a working session — you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of what your family would face if something happened to you today, and what steps can be taken to ensure everything goes smoothly instead. From there, we design a personalized plan, which typically includes pour-over wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianship nominations. Once everything is signed, we help you “fund” your trust (if you have one) and ensure your beneficiary designations and property titles align with your plan. Finally, we build an ongoing relationship with our clients to keep their plans updated as life evolves — because estate planning is not a one-time transaction, it’s an ongoing process.
3. What can parents expect from this process?
Parents can expect a very guided, supportive experience. You won’t be expected to have all the answers going in — that’s what we’re here for. We’ll talk about who you’d want to care for your children if you couldn’t, how you’d like assets managed for them, and how to avoid conflict or court involvement. My team and I make the process as seamless as possible, so you walk away not just with documents, but with confidence and peace of mind.
4. Why should parents have an estate plan?
Because if you don’t create a plan, the state has one for you — and it likely won’t be what you
want.
Without an estate plan:
A judge could decide who raises your children
Your loved ones could be tied up in costly and time-consuming probate
Your children could inherit assets outright at 18 with no safeguards
Family conflict could arise during an already difficult time
Estate planning gives you control. It allows you to protect your children, provide for their future, and make things as easy as possible for your loved ones if something ever happens to you.
5. What is the best piece of advice you would give to new parents on how to legally protect their children?
Put legal guardianship nominations in place as soon as possible. It’s the most important step new parents can take. It’s uncomfortable to think about, but without it, your children could be left in temporary foster care until a judge decides who should care for them. Having it clearly written down — and making sure the right people know where to find it — is critical.
6. What are the top 3 legal documents you recommend new parents have?
Revocable Living Trust – This helps avoid probate, protects assets for minor children, and allows you to control how and when they receive their inheritance.
Pour-Over Will – Works hand-in-hand with your Trust and “Catches” any assets you didn’t transfer into your trust during your lifetime and directs them into the trust at your death. Also the document where you nominate guardians for minor children.
Powers of Attorney and Advance Healthcare Directives – These name people you trust to make medical and financial decisions if you’re ever incapacitated.
We also prepare short-term or emergency guardian designations to ensure your children are never left in legal limbo if something happens unexpectedly.
7. How often should estate plans be modified?
At least every 3–5 years, or any time you experience a major life change, such as:
The birth or adoption of a child
A marriage, divorce, or new relationship
Moving to a new state
Significant changes in assets or health
- The death or incapacity of someone named in your plan
Life changes — and your plan should change with it.
8. What are common issues that arise that estate planning can avoid?
Good planning helps avoid:
Family disputes over who should care for your children
Delays and expenses of probate
Assets passing to unintended people (like an ex-spouse or estranged relative)
Children receiving large sums outright at 18 without guidance
Loved ones being locked out of access to funds or decision-making authority during a crisis.
Most of the heartache I see in my work comes from families who didn’t have a plan in place.
9. What would you recommend to parents who are overwhelmed at the prospect of estate planning and don’t know where to start?
Start by scheduling a conversation. You don’t need to have all the answers — you just need to take the first step. We’ll walk you through the process, help you prioritize what matters most, and build your plan piece by piece. It’s much more manageable than most people expect, and the peace of mind is invaluable.
10. Is estate planning still necessary if you don’t have many (or any) assets?
Yes — in fact, it might be even more important. Estate planning isn’t just about passing on wealth — it’s about protecting the people you love.
Even if you don’t have significant assets, you still need to name guardians for your children, name people to make healthcare and financial decisions if you can’t, and make sure your wishes are clear. This prevents what I like to call the three C’s: Conflict, Court and Creditors.
11. How do you know if an attorney is a good fit?
The right attorney will take time to understand your family and your values, not just your assets. They’ll explain things in plain English, offer flat fees so there are no surprises, and have a system for keeping your plan updated over time. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable and supported — like you have a trusted advisor in your corner, not just a document preparer.
12. If I leave my child in their grandparent's care when I travel, what should I have in place regarding medical decision making?
You should have a medical power of attorney or caregiver authorization giving the grandparents temporary authority to consent to medical treatment. This ensures there are no delays or confusion if an emergency arises and you can’t be reached.
13. Anything else you would like to share?
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or the elderly — it’s for anyone who loves someone. It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give your family: the gift of clarity, protection, and peace of mind. Once your plan is in place, most parents tell me they feel lighter — like they can breathe easier knowing their children will be okay, no matter what.
Estate planning isn’t just about documents — it’s about safeguarding your family’s future. As Shekar reminds us, taking that first step can make all the difference. Whether you’re a new parent or simply want more clarity around your wishes, now is the best time to start.