'It rips my heart': This Florida widow says she was cut off from money her husband left behind — which she needed to move into a senior community. Here's what happened and how to prevent it

Why she couldn't access the funds

Trudy says, after her husband died, an attorney helped her with the estate, including sending documents to the insurance company. But after forwarding a copy of her marriage certificate and her license, the company still wouldn't release the funds.

“They told me they’re worried about forgery,” Trudy said. The company asked for additional information in a letter shared with Action News.

So, Trudy headed back to her lawyer's office and signed another form. But weeks passed, and she still had not received any money. Trudy claims she had no idea what information the insurer was missing or what they wanted.

Action News called the insurance company, and according to the broadcaster, a representative told them the company didn’t receive Trudy’s paperwork until mid-August and the forms weren’t in “good order.” Some time later, Action News contacted the company’s vice president of customer experience. It reports that, just a few hours later, the company processed Trudy’s claim and overnighted her check.

Six months after her husband’s death, Trudy finally accessed her money. But she still thinks she shouldn’t have had to wait so long.

“I hope your mother and father never go through this, it’s their money, it belongs to them,” Trudy said.

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How to speed up the claims process

If you or a loved one are in a similar situation, there are steps you can take to speed an insurance claim. Michelangelo Mortellaro, an attorney who specializes in estate planning and elder law, offered several tips to Action News.

“I would say, A) be organized, and B) follow up,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s just easier. The old squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

He also recommends double-checking forms because just one missing date or blank spot can create delays.

When asked what someone could do if they were waiting on their money, Mortellaro told Action News: “You can always hire a lawyer to file suit, but that would actually slow down the process.”

It’s unclear what insurance product Trudy’s husband purchased or what about the paperwork she submitted was under dispute, but to prevent delays like she experienced it can help to keep one’s account information up to date. Regularly review and update beneficiary names, contact information and legal documents to reflect your current wishes. This can ensure the claims process moves forward without problems.

Make sure your beneficiaries know where to find key documents like wills, insurance policies and account statements. Keeping these documents organized and accessible can ease the burden of settling your accounts. Consider creating a folder with all necessary paperwork and let your loved ones know where it’s located.

Finally, when you file a claim, stay in contact with financial institutions and respond quickly to any requests for additional information. Being proactive can help prevent unnecessary delays.