On December 19, 2017, the House and Senate approved final passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1). The law provides $5.5 trillion in tax cuts with $4 trillion in offsetting tax increases. This leaves a net $1.5 trillion of unfunded tax cuts.

While you may need to quickly adjust your financial “sails” occasionally to respond to unexpected life changes, there are many other events that you can prepare for in advance to make future course corrections much easier. Here’s a review of six major life events that can alter your financial plans – plus some actions you can take now to make sure you’re prepared for the future.

The midpoint of the year can be a good time to step back and assess your financial goals to make sure you're still on track given any changes in the economy and markets as well as your personal situation.

Because a will only goes into effect after you die, it doesn’t provide any direction for your family if you become seriously ill or disabled during your lifetime. However, just as an advanced directive can provide guidelines for those who make decisions about your medical care, a trust can provide direction for the person who manages your financial assets if you are unable to.