Dear Friend,

Here’s a hard question — one most people avoid asking themselves:

If you passed away today, could your family step in and manage your life without you?

I’m not talking about the big stuff like paying the mortgage or closing your accounts. I’m talking about the real-life, day-to-day stuff:

  • Who has the code to your house?
  • Who knows the password to your email?
  • Does anyone even know who mows the lawn or takes care of pest control?

If the answer to any of these is “I’m not sure,” then let me introduce you to something I call the “I Just Died” Emergency Drill.

Because here’s the truth: When someone passes away, chaos often follows. Not because their family didn’t care — but because they didn’t have the info they needed to step in and handle things.

So today, I want you to imagine you’ve just died. It sounds morbid, I know. But it’s the only way to truly prepare your family for the unexpected.

The “I Just Died” Emergency Drill: How It Works

Step 1: Play Dead (For Practice)

Pretend, just for a moment, that you’re gone. Now, hand your spouse, kids, or trusted friend the keys (metaphorically speaking) and tell them to figure it out.

Here’s what they need to do:

  1. Get into the house:
    • Do they have a spare key?
    • Do they know the alarm code?
    • If it’s all on your phone, can they unlock that too?
  2. Access Your Digital Life:
    • Do they know your email passwords?
    • Can they log in to your bank accounts, mortgage, and investment portfolios?
    • What about your social media — do they know how to close accounts or memorialize them?
  3. Handle Day-to-Day Services:
    • Who mows the lawn? Who cleans the house? Do they know how to contact these people?
    • What about pest control or pool maintenance? Are there recurring charges that need canceling?
  4. Locate Critical Documents:
    • Do they know where to find your will, trust documents, life insurance policies, and estate plan?
    • Are these in a fireproof safe? Do they have the combination or key?

Step 2: Time Them

See how long it takes for them to gather everything. An hour? A day? A week?

If it’s taking too long, that’s your first warning sign. Imagine how much harder it will be when they’re grieving and overwhelmed.

 

The Problems You’ll Likely Find

I’ve helped countless families navigate estates after a loved one passes, and I can tell you — this stuff gets messy, fast.

  • Passwords are missing.
  • Important documents are locked away.
  • No one knows how to cancel recurring services or collect life insurance.
  • Worse yet, family members fight over how to handle things.

And it’s not just about the money — it’s about the emotional chaos. The last thing your family needs while grieving is to figure out how to turn off the alarm or who’s been paying the lawn guy.

How to Fix It Before It’s Too Late

  1. Create a Master Access List:
  • Write down all passwords, alarm codes, and key contacts.
  • Include details like:
    • Bank login info
    • Email passwords
    • Utility providers
    • Who cleans the house, cuts the lawn, and sprays for bugs
  1. Use a Secure Storage Method:
  • You can use a password manager or a simple paper list stored in a fireproof safe — but make sure someone you trust knows where it is.
  1. Update Your Estate Plan:
  • A well-crafted estate plan ensures someone has legal authority to access your accounts, handle your property, and make decisions.
  • Without it? Your family could end up in probate court, stuck in legal limbo.
  1. Run the Drill Again:
  • After organizing everything, run the “I Just Died” drill again.
  • This time, your family should be able to access everything quickly and easily.

A Real-Life Example

I had a client whose husband passed away unexpectedly.

  • She couldn’t get into his email to access important documents.
  • She had no idea how to deactivate the house alarm, leading to multiple police visits.
  • The mortgage company started calling about missed payments within weeks, and she didn’t even know how to log in to pay.

It took her months to sort through the mess — all while grieving.

This kind of chaos is 100% preventable. But only if you take action before something happens.

Give Your Family the Gift of Clarity

Nobody wants to think about dying — especially before a big vacation or an important event. But the best thing you can do for your family is to leave them with clarity, not chaos.

At Bascom Law, I help people like you create estate plans that cover all the details — not just the legal documents, but the day-to-day stuff that often gets overlooked.

Call me today at 770-285-5493, and let’s make sure your family can run the “I Just Died” drill successfully — so when the day comes (and it will), they’ll be ready.

Because the last thing you want is for your family to struggle to open your front door while they’re still trying to process losing you.

Sincerely and Thanks,

Mike Bascom
Bascom Law, PC