About Us

Our Firm

Canarick & Canarick is a boutique law firm offering estate planning services. We are led by Michael Canarick and help design customized estate plans unique to each family’s situations, wealth, and values.

Our team minimizes the unnecessary burden on the family members in dealing with courts, confusion, or conflict that can arise upon an individual’s possible incapacity and eventual death. We work to constantly keep our clients ahead of the curve and help them capitalize on unseen opportunities and avoid unforeseen problems.

Our Process

Step 1: Intake

Step 2: Initial Consultation

During the initial consultation, we meet with the clients either face-to-face or on a zoom call. Meetings generally last about one hour. The initial consultation is dedicated to discussing a client's objectives and customizing a comprehensive estate plan that will address all of the client’s planning needs. We will clearly explain the specific strategies that we recommend based on the client’s objectives. We will also quote a fixed fee for the project. The fee will be based on the level of complexity and customization needed to complete the work.

Step 3: Implementation

We will provide the client with an engagement letter for review and signature. We ask that the client provide us with one-half of the payment of the fixed fee at that time. We will then draft the documents and e-mail them to the client for review. At this point we are happy to schedule additional time with the client to answer any questions that they may have or discuss the plan with the client’s family and/or advisors.

Step 4: Execution

Upon confirmation that the client understands the documents and no open issues remain, we will schedule a time for the client to execute the documents. Estate planning documents generally need to be witnessed by two individuals and notarized by a notary public. Estate planning documents can not be signed electronically. We will work with the client to arrange for a proper execution. After the documents are signed, we will provide the client (and their advisors if the client wishes) with electronic PDF copies of their fully executed documents. We can then store the original documents for the client or return them to the client.

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Step 5: Maintenance

Finally, once implemented, we will actively manage our clients’ estate plans to ensure that they continue to both function properly and meet our clients’ objectives, regardless of changes in life and the law. We keep our clients informed periodically through our electronic newsletter and client emails. Through these regular touch points, we keep clients updated about changes in the law that might affect them, and routinely remind them to monitor their plans with regard to major life events.

The Canarick & Canarick Difference

Fixed Fee Arrangement

We charge flat fees for a majority of our estate planning services to encourage clients to approve and anticipate all costs before representation even begins.

Big Firm Background

Michael Canarick spent many years working at a top law firm, giving him the experience to handle your estate planning needs.

A Boutique Experience

We proudly provide every client with a highly personalized, white-glove level of service. We communicate clearly and precisely. Our response is quick, ensuring your needs are always met.

Clear Communication & Education

We take the time to thoroughly understand your needs and objectives before preparing your estate plans. We also educate you along the way for any of your estate planning needs.

Holistic Approach

We take a holistic approach to estate planning and collaborate with our client's family and trusted advisors. Besides consulting and drafting documents, we advise and counsel our clients to ensure our clients are fully protected.

Quick & Detailed Document Preparation

After accessing your needs and developing a personalized estate plan, we will prepare and send you drafts of documents within a few weeks of our initial consultation.

Free Consultation

Schedule a free consultation with us to help you understand the estate planning process or review your existing estate planning documents.

Our Team

Michael Canarick

Michael Canarick founded Canarick & Canarick in 2007 and has grown the firm into one of the top boutique estate planning law firms in the state. After graduating from the University of Arizona College of Law in 2000, Michael received a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University in 2001. Michael is a member of the New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania Bars and has extensive knowledge of the estate and gift tax laws.

Michael has over 20 years of experience in counseling on tax and estate planning matters and developing strategies to create and preserve wealth through generations. His practices ranges from working as a trusted advisor to high-net worth individuals and successful business owners to helping young families put together their first estate plan. He was named one of the top Lawyers for Families by New Jersey Family Magazine and teaches classes to other attorneys on estate planning. Michael reviews and drafts legal documents for clients, educating them on the various options that exist regarding the distribution of their assets.

Michael has appeared on several podcasts and radio shows as an expert in estate planning. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, sports and spending time with his children, Ozzy and Nate.

Amy Keseday Papa

Amy graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland, College Park. She received her law degree from Rutgers Law School where she was on the Journal of Law and Public Policy. Her first year after law school was spent clerking for the Honorable Dennis O’Brien in Monmouth County.

Amy joined Canarick & Canarick in early 2023. She has been a practicing attorney since 2008 and during that time has developed a set of skills complimentary to those of Michael Canarick. In addition to estate planning, Amy is able to provide clients with guidance as they navigate the probate process and simple estate administration. Additionally, Amy handles residential real estate closings and is capable of assisting clients with the preparation and filing of amended deeds to match their estate plan.

When not working, Amy enjoys taxiing her over-involved children, Liliana and Dean, to and from their countless number of practices and activities, exercising and a hot meal with her husband when it can be consumed before 9 pm!

Katie Elasmar

Katie joined Canarick & Canarick in 2019 as a paralegal and quickly became the firm’s Director of Operations and Client Relations. Katie is the main point of contact for our clients, while also serving as a liaison between the firm and financial advisors and briefing the parties on client activity and coordinating the necessary logistics. Additionally, Katie handles the firm’s financials and process client payments. She is knowledgeable, compassionate, organized, and hard-working.

Katie is the proud single mother of her son, Jayce, and 2 rescue dogs, Stella, and Dunkin. Fun fact, Katie lived in Saudi Arabia for a few years and looks forward to travelling again soon – maybe just not back to Saudi Arabia.