Why People Avoid Estate Planning (And How Lawyers Can Change This) featuring Justin Stivers

Justin Stivers explains the importance of empathy as a lawyer and how consistency converts social media followers to clients.

Justin Stivers, a University of Miami School of Law graduate, explains what triggered him to open his own law firm and why he lived in Honduras for three years.

ADVERTISER: This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

Why People Avoid Estate Planning (And How Lawyers Can Change This) featuring Justin Stivers

About This Episode

Justin Stivers is the founder and CEO of The Probate Law Firm. Once told that he could do anything with a law degree, Justin Stivers went to law school after a non-traditional path. After living in Honduras with the Peace Corps and considering a career as a scuba instructor, Justin Stivers found that being a lawyer was a great career for him.

Justin Stivers decided to use social media to teach others about probate law and estate planning. After challenging himself to create content every day for a year, Justin Stivers found that consistency and authenticity allowed him to reach thousands of people.

Listen to learn:

When to open your own law firm
How financial advisors and estate planners work together
Why philosophy is a great major for pre-law students

We also discuss:

How to test-drive living abroad (hint: don’t quit your day job)
Best career choices if you have a JD and philosophy background
What to do if you are miserable while practicing law

Justin Stivers is licensed to practice law in Florida and Tennessee. Learn more about You Are A Lawyer guest Justin Stivers:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stiverslaw/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcIyGEpme0t_h2R73CdKOBw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-stivers-289b38100/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.stivers

You Are A Lawyer is hosted by Kyla Denanyoh. Follow the podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: https://www.youarealawyer.com

ADVERTISER: This episode is sponsored by the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas.

‍

Recent Episodes

How To Pivot With Purpose and Confidence feat. Danielle Lyn

Danielle Lyn is a practicing attorney, coach, speaker, and podcast host who is boldly redefining what career success looks like. In this honest and energizing episode, Danielle shares her transition from corporate law to a more aligned life of coaching and creating content that empowers others. Whether you’re a law student feeling boxed in or a mid-career professional exploring a pivot, this episode is a must-listen.

Read and listen here

How to Turn Your Experiences Into a Powerful Story feat. Mark C. Fava

Mark C. Fava has had a career unlike most lawyers. A former naval flight officer, aviation lawyer, and now a vice president at the world’s largest aerospace manufacturing company, Mark has spent decades leading in high-pressure environments. His new book, Lessons from the Admiral, Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders, shares leadership insights from his time working with an admiral and how those lessons apply to law, business, and life. In this episode, we dive into his career pivots, risk-taking, and why understanding people—not just legal rules—is the key to success.

Read and listen here

How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed and Take Control of Your Legal Career feat. Dina Cataldo

Dina Cataldo knows what it’s like to feel completely overwhelmed by the demands of being a lawyer. As a former criminal prosecutor, she worked long hours, prioritized everything except herself, and thought stress was just part of the job—until she was forced to rethink everything. After a life-changing health diagnosis, Dina began a journey to redefine success and take control of her time, energy, and mindset. Now, as a Master Certified Coach for Lawyers, she helps attorneys do the same. In this episode, Dina shares how lawyers can break free from stress, manage their time more effectively, and build practices that support their lives—not the other way around.

Read and listen here

How to Unlock Your Full Potential as a Lawyer feat. Yeve Chitiga

Yeve Chitiga, a lawyer turned executive coach, is on a mission to help attorneys move past fear, doubt, and uncertainty to create careers that actually excite them. After a decade of practicing law, Yeve realized that so many lawyers felt stuck, uninspired, or unsure of their next steps—so she created Yevezo Coaching & Consulting to help them find clarity, confidence, and joy in their work. In this episode, we dive into the power of coaching, how lawyers can embrace career transitions, and why asking yourself what do I really want? is the first step toward transformation.

Read and listen here

How to Bring Your Legal and Scientific Expertise to a New Industry feat. Raana Kashani Gregg

Raana Kashani Gregg, attorney-turned-beauty entrepreneur, shares her journey from running her own law practice to founding Lunaescent Clean Skin Labs, an innovative skincare brand. After experiencing severe dermatitis from applying eczema treatments to her son, she saw a gap in the market for hygienic, non-porous skincare applicators—and decided to create one herself. In this episode, Raana opens up about pivoting from law to entrepreneurship, navigating the patent process, and why lawyers have the skills to build businesses in any industry.

Read and listen here

How to Find Financial Freedom and Purpose Outside of Traditional Law feat. Tashira Halyard

Tashira Halyard, a former litigator turned solopreneur, content creator, and activist, joins Kyla to share how she built a career that aligns with her values and creative passions. From navigating law school transfers to launching a blog that became a thriving business, Tashira breaks down what it means to truly own your career choices. If you’ve ever questioned whether you need the “traditional” lawyer path to succeed, this episode is full of insight, encouragement, and real talk about building a life that feels as good as it looks.

Read and listen here

How to Overcome Loneliness and Thrive as a Lawyer feat. Olivia Ash

Olivia “Liv” Ash, a lawyer, artist, author, and health educator, discusses how she blends creativity and advocacy to address loneliness and foster connection. As the founder of Liv Balanced, LLC and author of Painting the Landscape of Loneliness, Liv shares her journey of using art and research to inspire others to embrace vulnerability and self-expression. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of how lawyers can leverage their skills and passions to build meaningful, multidimensional careers.

Read and listen here

How to Use Connections to Develop Your Legal Career feat. Rachel Clar

Rachel Clar, founder of Interconnected Us, helps women lawyers leverage connections and grow their influence in the legal field. In this episode, Rachel shares actionable insights on networking, confidence building, and creating meaningful professional relationships. Whether you’re looking to bring in new business or expand your opportunities, Rachel’s advice will inspire you to take the next step in your career.

Read and listen here

How to Leverage Networking to Grow Your Legal Career feat. Alex Mitchell

Alex Mitchell, owner of Cumberland Law Group, shares his journey from law school to building a thriving multi-state law firm specializing in tax defense, criminal defense, and personal injury. In this episode, Alex reveals how strategic networking and authentic connections have propelled his career, offering practical advice for young lawyers and law students looking to grow their legal careers. Whether you're exploring niche practice areas or dreaming of running your own firm, Alex’s story is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

Read and listen here

How to Build Resilience as a Young Lawyer feat. Kenya Rothstein

Kenya Rothstein is an environmental attorney and podcast host who knows firsthand how resilience and rejection can shape a dream career. In this episode, Kenya shares her journey from navigating law school during a pandemic to launching her podcast, Thank You for Saying NO, where she reframes rejection as a powerful opportunity for growth. Join us as Kenya discusses how embracing “no” moments can lead to unexpected paths and inspire lasting success.

Read and listen here

How to Stay Consistent as a Content Creator feat. Kyla Denanyoh

Kyla Denanyoh is a podcaster, digital educator, and business owner passionate about helping others thrive in their entrepreneurial journeys. In this episode, Kyla shares five must-do strategies for content creators and business owners in 2025, emphasizing the power of being vocal, consistent, and intentional about your work. Through actionable insights and personal anecdotes, she inspires listeners to elevate their brand visibility and embrace new ways to grow their businesses.

Read and listen here

How To Navigate Vaccine Injury Cases in Law Practice feat. Jon Groth

Jon Groth, a personal injury attorney and managing partner of Groth Law Firm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shares his journey from law school to running a successful practice with a diverse range of cases, including car accidents and vaccine injuries. In this episode, Jon emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and effective communication in the legal profession, while also discussing the unique challenges and rewards of managing a law firm. He highlights the value of connecting with clients from all walks of life and the significance of adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of law and technology.

Read and listen here