Planning for the future: estate planning 101

Tax season is over, so now is the time to start securing your family's financial future. And you don't need to be a millionaire to do estate planning.

"Estate planning isn't just for the rich," says Frank Armstrong, founder of Investor Solutions, Inc. and co-author of "Save Your Retirement: What to Do If You Haven't Saved Enough or If Your Investments Were Devastated by the Market Meltdown." "Everyone should insure that the distribution of their assets is as efficient as possible. But, estate planning includes 'living wills,' power of attorney in case of disability, gifting during life, proper designations for insurance, IRA and qualified plan assets and many other contingencies."

Here are five things you should do that will stand the test of time: