• Donor Stories

What the Heart Knows

“Throughout my life, whenever I was at a crossroads, I always trusted that God was leading me down the right path,” Leilah says. Her faith has carried her across the world and through seasons that asked more of her than she ever expected. That same trust anchored her through law school, international work, a life-changing injury, and eventually to Nebraska, where she found a quieter place to prepare for what comes next.

Plan with Purpose 

When Leilah began thinking about her estate, she knew she did not want to leave unanswered questions for her four children, who live across the country. She wanted a plan that reflected the Catholic faith that had guided her since childhood, while making her wishes clear and easier for her family to carry out.

Through the Catholic Foundation, Leilah created a Charitable Wealth Transfer Plan and worked through practical ways to direct each part of her estate. The Foundation helped her establish a payable-on-death designation for her bank account, arrange for the transfer of her vehicle title at death, and prepare a gift assignment for jewelry and other personal belongings. Each decision gave Leilah greater control over where her assets would go and helped reduce the burden on her children.

“The Transfer Plan answered a lot of the questions I had. I was able to avoid probate concerns, intentionally direct my estate, and relieve my children from having to guess what I wanted.”

Leilah Martin

Because Leilah has a legal background, those details mattered. She understood the value of making decisions carefully and putting them in writing. “It’s my decision, my choice,” she says. “My children know what I want, and they won’t be left trying to figure it out later.”

The process also gave her peace of mind. With guidance from Chaz Zurcher and Scott Yates, Leilah was able to work through her wishes one decision at a time. She entered the process looking for answers and found practical guidance paired with personal care. “Chaz and Scott have guided me like I’m their own mother,” she says.

A Catholic Legacy

As Leilah began thinking about what would happen to her assets after her lifetime, she needed an estate plan that reflected both her faith and the causes she cares about. A Charitable Wealth Transfer Plan gave her a way to put those wishes in writing while keeping the flexibility to make changes as her life or priorities change.

Working with the Catholic Foundation, Leilah could decide how her charitable gifts should be distributed and document those wishes in one plan. When the time comes, the Foundation will handle the details and direct the gifts according to her instructions, relieving others of that responsibility.

Having those decisions made now brings a sense of relief to Leilah. “This was like exhaling,” she says. “This feels right.” She also believes more people should know this kind of planning is available. “Most people avoid end-of-life decisions or leave them to family members because it’s difficult to think about,” she says.  But when the Catholic Foundation came into her life, she felt that same quiet certainty she had known before. “Trust in God,” Leilah says. “He’ll guide you.”