Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Pavlik.
Hi Nicole, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began my career as a paralegal, where I saw firsthand how painful it can be for families when a loved one passes without clear legal documents in place. That experience led me to focus my legal career on estate planning—helping people prepare in advance so difficult times aren’t made harder by confusion or conflict.
After law school, I built my own practice in Phoenix, focusing on wills, trusts, and business planning. When I relocated to East Tennessee, I launched Maryville Estate Planning. We chose Maryville because it felt like home, and I wanted to serve families here with the same care I’d built my Phoenix practice on.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Starting a practice from scratch meant learning how to run a business while also building my client base. In the early days, I wore every hat—lawyer, bookkeeper, receptionist, and even IT support —and there were plenty of late nights figuring things out.
More recently, moving to East Tennessee brought new challenges: establishing myself in a brand-new community while continuing to serve Arizona clients virtually. It required balancing two locations, tailoring my services to fit different state laws, and proving to people here in Maryville that I was committed for the long term.
As you know, we’re big fans of Maryville Estate Planning PLLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Maryville Estate Planning, I work with families and business owners to make sure their futures are secure. That means putting the right plans in place—whether it’s a will, a trust, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, probate guidance, or business planning and succession.
What makes my firm different is how personal and straightforward we keep the process. Clients know their costs upfront, and we offer a discount to educators, first responders, and military families as a way of giving back.
I’m most proud that people in the community know us for making planning approachable. Estate and business planning can feel overwhelming, and my goal is to take away that stress by making it clear, simple, and compassionate.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t about a big fancy office or wearing a suit every day. It’s being able to run my Phoenix firm virtually while also building a practice here in Maryville, and having clients in both places who truly appreciate the help I’ve given them.
It also means balance. I’ve worked hard to grow my firms in a way that still leaves room for family, friends, and hobbies. At the end of the day, success to me is helping people feel secure and cared for, while creating a career that actually fits the kind of life I want to live.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maryville-ep.com
