Widow needs help after death certificate mix-up

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. (WABC) -- Marina and Robert Mariconi were busy globetrotting through their golden years when tragedy struck.

"Within a month and half he was gone," says his widow. "It was a terrible thing."

It was lung cancer that took her husband, Robert's life and suddenly left Marina a widow at 72, "Emotionally, it's been a total life shattering event."

After burying her husband, Marina filed his death certificate. But somehow the wrong social security number was filed.

Now, the mistake delayed obtaining a valid and proper death certificate. Without it, she's locked out of their financial life she had built with her husband.

"I have not been able to get in any of the accounts, insurance, 401(k) account," said Marina.

She can't even probate his will. Now, two months of waiting's gone by since her husband's passing and Marina's supporting herself on dwindling savings.

"My fear was what if I run out of my savings? You cannot support a house on social security alone," says Marina.

So we contact the state agency that issues death certicates, the New Jersey Department of Health, that issue death certificates. It's rep said it normally takes 6 to 8 weeks for corrected death certificate to be processed and sent out. (It's been roughly 4 weeks since the request was sent out.) But within days of hearing from us.

"It was great news." That's because Marina finally got her husband's corrected certificate. "Thank you so much Channel 7."

The funeral home that filed for both certificates said Marina made the mistake. Nevertheless it's so important, when you're going through this process, to have a trusted family member by your side as an advocate to help make sure everything is done properly.