Accidental Death at 39: Here’s What You Need to Know
Michael Duarte had much to look forward to. At 39, the popular food influencer was building his brand, sharing recipes with millions of followers, and raising his 6 year old daughter Oakley with his wife Jessica. His content brought joy to people who watched his sizzling barbecue videos and creative flavor combinations.
Then, on November 8, 2025, everything changed. Duarte died during what should have been an ordinary trip to Texas. His passing was sudden and unexpected, leaving his family navigating both grief and immediate financial concerns. A GoFundMe page appeared almost right away, asking for help to bring his body home to California and cover funeral expenses. The page’s words are hard to forget: “This heartbreak came without warning.”
Those five words reflect a reality many of us prefer not to face. Death does not send a courtesy notice. It does not wait until your finances are organized or your child is grown. In this article, I will share why estate planning matters for everyone, regardless of age or health, and how thoughtful preparation can help your family move from financial uncertainty to stability if the unthinkable happens.
The False Security of Youth and Health
When you are in your thirties or forties, death can feel far away. It is easy to believe there is plenty of time to organize your affairs, build wealth, and plan. Sometimes there is not. Duarte was 39. He had reportedly overcome earlier struggles, including mental health challenges and subsequent treatment. He rebuilt his life and career. Nothing about his situation suggested his life would end last month in Texas.
The question is not whether death will come, it is whether you will have prepared for it. Every loss leaves families who must grieve while also addressing practical financial realities.
Consider your own situation. If something happened to you tomorrow, would your family feel pressure to start a GoFundMe campaign? Would they know where to find your accounts and policies? Would they have resources to cover immediate expenses while they adapt to a new reality?
The Hidden Costs of Unpreparedness
When someone dies without an estate plan, the costs can extend far beyond funeral expenses. Duarte’s family faced the immediate burden of transporting his body from Texas to California, which alone can cost thousands of dollars. Then come funeral and burial costs, which average between $6,280 and $8,300 according to the National Funeral Directors Association.
Those are only the beginning. Without clear planning, loved ones often face probate costs that can take months and require thousands of dollars in court and attorney fees. If Duarte contributed significantly to household income through his influencer work, that revenue stream ended immediately, creating cash flow concerns at a difficult time.
Families are often left to make many financial and legal decisions during one of the hardest periods of their lives. Every decision requires energy, while bills continue to arrive. Without proper planning, families may discover that assets they expected to receive are tied up in court for months or even years, or that some assets are overlooked entirely because no one knew they existed.
Beyond Basic Life Insurance
Many people believe life insurance alone is enough. In practice, life insurance proceeds can take weeks or months to be paid. Meanwhile, funeral homes require payment, mortgage companies expect their monthly check, and utility companies do not pause billing. In addition, life insurance payable outright or to a minor beneficiary is not protected from future creditors, predators, or a future divorce, and if payable to a minor could be significantly reduced by court costs and executor fees.
What your loved ones need is comprehensive planning that addresses not only the transfer of money, but also the practical realities of daily life after you are gone. This includes knowing where to find important documents, how to access accounts, and what to do first. How will your spouse manage the mortgage? What about your children’s education? These questions deserve clear answers now, not urgent scrambling later.
What Effective Planning Actually Looks Like
Creating an effective estate plan is not about focusing on death. It is about making sure that if something happens to you, your family can concentrate on healing instead of financial survival. Here is what comprehensive planning includes:
- A thorough inventory of all your assets, updated regularly so nothing you care about is lost. This includes financial accounts, digital assets, business interests, and sentimental items with instructions for their distribution.
- Clear instructions for accessing accounts and benefits. Your family should not have to play detective, calling multiple companies to track down information.
- Immediate access to financial resources. In addition to insurance, proper planning helps ensure funds are available quickly to cover urgent expenses.
- Legal documents that work when needed. Depending on your situation, you may need trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and guardianship designations that are properly drafted and stored where they can be found.
- A relationship with a trusted advisor who will support your family. We structure our services to make it straightforward to choose us as your long term advisor, helping you make wise choices for your life and legacy, and to be there for your loved ones when you cannot be.
- Regular reviews to keep everything current. Life changes, and your plan should reflect those changes.
Michael Duarte’s story is heartbreaking, and it is also a reminder. The time to plan is now, while you can make decisions and spare your loved ones the added burden of financial uncertainty.
We Help You Protect Your Family’s Financial Future
Real protection goes far beyond having documents in place. Your loved ones need a plan that considers both the legal aspects of transferring assets and the practical realities of daily life after you are gone. Just as important, they need a trusted advisor to turn to for guidance when it matters most. I have systems in place to review and update your plan on an ongoing basis as your life and assets change, and I will be available to your family to guide them so they know exactly what to do.
If you are realizing your own family could face similar struggles if something happened to you tomorrow, take the first step today. I help you create a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan that ensures your assets are protected, your wishes are honored, and your loved ones are cared for, no matter what happens.
Click here to schedule a complimentary 15 minute discovery call and learn how I can support you:
https://cal.com/chavislawfirm/15consult
This article is a service of Chavis Law Firm, a Personal Family Lawyer Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we empower you to make informed and confident decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That is why we offer a Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ Session, during which you will become more financially organized than ever before and make the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning Session.