Hoping someone with NY practice can help me out here. My cousin in NY is attempting to get Social Security survivor benefits from her ex-husband who has passed. She brought a certified copy of a Judgment of Divorce. This was an uncontested divorce granted after the spouse defaulted. My cousin has been told by three different people at the SS office that she needs the "divorce packet." Reviewing this online, I see the SS office needs only the "final divorce decree." Further investigation shows that a divorce decree is a judgment of divorce. I'm looking at the document, which is from 1998, and it says "Divorce Judgment" and is signed by the judge. It has an embossed seal. Has anyone else run into this issue and/or am I misunderstanding what document is actually necessary in order for her to obtain these benefits? Reviewing eligibility, she is entitled to the survivor benefits.
Thanks!
Lisa
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Lisa Chapland Esq.
Senior Managing Director of Government Affairs
New Jersey State Bar Association
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