Business Owners
• You co-own or independently lead a company and want a clean, dispute-free handoff
• You want documents custom drafted to your business by an attorney – not one size fits all templates
Licensed Attorney
USAF Veteran
MBA
Estate & Business Succession Planning, Done Right in Arizona
Practical, attorney-drafted plans that protect the people you love and the business you've built—without empty jargon or guesswork.
Built for Busy Owners & Families
Families
• You've delayed a will or trust and want clear, plain-English guidance
• You've experienced a life event - marriage, birth, death, or real estate transaction - that says "do it now"
Services
Estate Planning
- Wills & Revocable Living Trusts
- Financial & Medical Powers of Attorney
- Specialty Trusts
- Trust Funding Guidance & Periodic Reviews
Business Succession
- Succession Roadmaps & Transition Planning
- Buy-Sell Agreements (draft/review)
- Family Transfers, Governance & Roles
- Coordination with your CPA/Advisors
Matters vary in scope and complexity. We’ll recommend the best approach tailored to your specific needs after understanding your goals.
How It Works
Consult
We clarify goals, family considerations, ownership, and risks.
Design
We map your plan and draft the right documents.
Sign & Maintain
You execute with confidence; we help keep it current.
Why Stead & Associates
Business-trained counsel
MBA + corporate finance background—advice grounded in how companies operate.
Veteran ethos
Integrity First. Service Before Self. Excellence in All We Do.
Arizona-drafted, tailored
Practical, attorney drafted plans with no guesswork.
Clear communication
Practical, plain-English explanations with step-by-step guidance on next steps.
Client Reviews
"Joe is a true pro—clear, strategic counsel. All around, a great experience. I highly recommend."— Jacob B.
"Outstanding service... highly effective. I felt supported every step."— Natalie S.
"Exceptional—clear, responsive, and went above and beyond."— Madison R.
Frequently Asked Questions
Life is unpredictable. Having a proper estate plan in place protects your family and business from uncertainty. The best time to plan is before you need it. Without an estate plan, Arizona courts will decide how your assets are distributed.
While DIY forms exist, they often miss state-specific requirements and fail to address complex situations. A professionally drafted plan ensures your wishes are properly documented and legally enforceable under Arizona law.
Most estate plans can be completed within 2-4 weeks. Business succession plans may take longer depending on complexity. We work efficiently while ensuring every detail is addressed to protect your family and assets.
Absolutely. We work closely with your existing financial team to ensure your estate and succession plans align with your overall financial strategy and tax planning. This coordinated approach helps minimize taxes and maximize protection.
We serve clients throughout Arizona, with our office located in Scottsdale. We regularly work with families and business owners in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert. We offer both in-person and virtual consultations.
Why I Built This Firm
After years of watching families and business owners navigate complex estate and succession challenges, I founded Stead & Associates with a clear mission: to deliver practical, attorney-drafted plans that actually protect what matters most.
With a background in both law and taxation, combined with my experience as a veteran, I bring discipline, precision, and a client-first approach to every engagement. My goal is simple—help Arizona families and business owners secure their legacies without the complexity and confusion that too often accompanies estate planning.
After three years in banking, his family challenged him to take on law school to which he replied, “how hard could it be!?” Mr. Stead approaches legal matters for his clients with the same mindset. No problem is too complex. He provides practical, attorney-drafted plans his clients can trust, alleviating their stress and guiding them to ascertainable solutions.
- Arizona-licensed attorney. MBA
- USAF veteran
- Practice focus: Estate Planning & Business Succession
- Bar Admissions: Arizona State Court; Arizona Federal District Court; U.S. Bankruptcy Court; U.S. Tax Court.
- Additional offerings: Business Formations, Corporate Governance & Consulting, Contract Drafting & Review.