As parents, we often think of our children as our dependents, but as they grow up and head off to college, they become independent adults. If you have a college-aged child, it's crucial to discuss these documents with them and help them understand the importance of having them in place.

In our view, the three anchor points to a solid financial plan are: where are we now, where have we been and where are we headed.

Whether you're taking a DIY approach to filing your taxes this year or working with a professional, here are 5 filing tips to help make things a little easier.