I've had verizon for years. Verizon has long permitted online management of a device. Each of my children has experienced their device going dead when my calls or texts went ignored. Very shortly after deactivating, I would receive a frantic call from an unknown number. It would be one of the boys telling me their phone no longer worked.
I would reply that since I pay the bills and my calls went unanswered, I didn't need the device anymore. Message received.