Discover the 5 essential estate planning documents—will, power of attorney, health care directive, beneficiary designations, and trusts—that can help protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are honored.

Estate planning can be complex. Many people believe they’re not “rich enough” to have an estate plan, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Losing your parent is a profound event. While you may be experiencing unprecedented emotional impacts, there are important financial actions to take immediately. Protecting your parents’ legacy by managing their finances after their death is one of the most critical ways to honor what they did with their time on Earth. Unfortunately, during these times, handling legal and financial affairs can feel insurmountable.

Financial planning is all about living the life you want to live. A comfortable retirement might be your ultimate goal, but what does that look like for you? Beyond that, how do you expect to get there? You need a financial action plan, and no plan is complete without a starting point. After all, you can only plan to reach a destination if you know from where you're starting.

You're not alone if you're unfamiliar with the net investment income tax (NIIT). While it's been around since 2010, it's not something that impacts everyone. However, if you have annual investment income and are a high-income earner, you could be subject to this tax—making it important that you understand what it is, how it’s calculated, and how you can plan for it.

Confused about estate planning? Get clear answers to 5 of the most common questions—from wills and trusts to taxes and guardianship—to help you plan with confidence.