One of the best things you can do when you get married is ensure that you put the right things in place to protect you and your family while living and after you or your spouse passes away. Whether putting a plan in place to cover the costs associated with a funeral, your children’s college tuition, or life insurance to cover the cost of your home and living expenses, there is a tremendous peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that your family will be taken care of.

When it comes to protecting your family’s future, it most often revolves around financial security and end of life. To ensure you have the right things in place, taking time to create an estate plan can help make the process move in the right direction.

There are many different tools that you can choose from to secure your assets, property, and finances such as:

• Wills and trusts
• Medical directives
• Life insurance
• Healthcare insurance
• Durable power of attorney
• Savings and retirement accounts

Also, there are steps you can take along the way to increase the chances of preserving what you build such as:

• Carefully manage any risks associated with financial plans
• Periodically review your estate plan and documents
• Think long-term
• Avoid chasing after financial fads
• Live within your means
• Pay off debt quickly

Regardless of the path that you choose, when it comes securing and protecting your family’s future, a little planning can go a long way.