By Martelli Adeka
I was 25 when my world stopped. A phone call shattered everything — my father had died suddenly. No warning, no last words, just silence that stretched into panic. Within hours, I was forced to face the harshest reality of adulthood: death comes with a bill.
Funeral homes don’t wait. Creditors don’t grieve. The average funeral in America costs over $8,000 — and my family didn’t have it. My father had spent his life working hard, believing that dedication was enough. But he had no life insurance, no emergency fund, and no plan for what would happen when he was gone.
That painful experience changed everything for me. It became the reason I built my career — to make sure no other family has to sit at a kitchen table asking how they’ll bury the person who raised them.
The Lie We Tell Ourselves About Being “Covered”
Here’s what I’ve learned: most of us live under a dangerous illusion. We think our jobs protect us — that employer life insurance and disability coverage are enough. But that safety net is full of holes.
Your company policy might cover only one or two times your annual salary. That barely pays for a funeral, let alone months of lost income. And disability coverage? It often replaces just 60% of your paycheck — but only after a 90-day waiting period. Try telling your mortgage lender to “wait three months.”
We think we’re invincible until life proves otherwise.
From Haiti’s Movie Theaters to Protecting Families in Florida
I didn’t grow up surrounded by wealth. I grew up in Saint-Louis-du-Nord, Haiti, where my great-grandmother, Grann Mana, taught me what real resilience looks like. At nine, I sold vegetables from my garden. At thirteen, I opened a small movie theater using an old projector and white bedsheet.
When I immigrated to the U.S. at seventeen, I brought those lessons with me: work hard, save what you can, and take care of your family. But in 2016, when my father died, I realized that hard work alone doesn’t protect a legacy — planning does.
That loss became my mission.
What Most Advisors Don’t Tell You
After years in the financial industry, one truth still bothers me — most financial advisors are trained to sell, not to protect.
They talk about products, not people. They chase commissions instead of conversations. They’ll tell you, “You’re covered,” when you’re not. I decided to build something different.
At Kaizen Family Financial Consultants, we do things slowly, intentionally, and with heart. No pressure sales. No confusing jargon. Just honest strategies that make sure your family is secure when life throws its hardest punches.
Because you’re not just a client — you’re a provider, a dreamer, a protector. Your legacy deserves more than a signature on a policy; it deserves clarity, care, and confidence.
Three Questions Every Family Should Ask
Before you assume you’re protected, take a moment to answer these three questions honestly:
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If you died tomorrow, could your family afford your funeral (average cost: $7,000–$12,000) and survive financially for the next 12 months?
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If you were injured or disabled and couldn’t work, could your household afford three months of bills before disability payments started?
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Do you fully understand what your employer’s insurance covers — and what it doesn’t?
If any of those made you hesitate, you’re not alone. Most working Americans can’t answer “yes” to all three. But that uncertainty doesn’t protect your family — preparation does.
The Lesson My Father’s Death Etched Into My Life
If I could speak to my father one last time, I’d tell him:
“Dad, you weren’t invincible — but your family’s future could’ve been.”
I can’t rewrite our story, but I can use it to change someone else’s. Every policy I help design, every family I guide — it’s my way of keeping a promise I made at that kitchen table years ago: no more families left unprotected.
Why You Should Prepare — Not Panic
The people I work with aren’t wealthy. They’re teachers, drivers, small business owners, and parents who just want peace of mind. They’re the kings, mothers, and warriors who carry their families every day.
And they don’t wait until it’s too late — they prepare. Because grief shouldn’t come with financial panic. Because legacy isn’t about money; it’s about love, responsibility, and foresight.
If you’re ready to find out whether your family is truly protected, I’ve created a free tool that walks you through it.
👉 Download: “The 3-Minute Legacy Protection Checklist”
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About the Author
Martelli Adeka is the founder of Kaizen Family Financial Consultants in Coral Springs, Florida. Born in Haiti, Martelli was shaped by the financial devastation of losing his father without life insurance. Today, he helps working families across the U.S. protect their futures through practical insurance strategies. His mission: to make sure no family faces the pain his did.