Estate-planning tools such as wills, living wills, health proxies, powers of attorney, and record-keeping should all be in place to help protect you, your assets, and your heirs.

What is the most important step in financial planning?
Monitoring Your Financial Progress. Regular communication and follow-up are important steps in the financial planning process. In fact, creating the plan is really just the first step. You'll have ongoing contact with your planner to find out whether you are on track to meet your financial goals.