Introduction

Sunset provides fully automated estate settlement software that helps families and court‑appointed representatives find, secure, and distribute a decedent’s assets. The service is always free to families, funded by interest while assets rest in an FDIC‑insured estate account, and is designed to operate end‑to‑end without unnecessary legal spend for most estates. See how the workflow, fees, and bank account protections operate in detail on How Sunset Works and Terms of Use. How Sunset works • Terms of Use.

Who is eligible to use Sunset

Eligible users are anyone legally responsible for, or assisting with, post‑death estate administration:

• Immediate and extended family members acting as executors/personal representatives/administrators or trustees (with authority under a will, court appointment, or trust). Terms of Use.

• Court‑appointed fiduciaries (executor, administrator, or special administrator) and trustees managing successor trustee duties. Terms of Use.

• Authorized helpers “in service of an estate” working at the direction of the fiduciary (e.g., a designated family member assisting the named executor). Terms of Use.

Scope of authorization inside Sunset

• Users direct every step; “nothing happens without your approval.” Sunset can act on the estate’s behalf only after explicit user permission. How Sunset works.

• Through the service agreement, the estate grants Sunset limited power of attorney for the specified estate to execute discovery and, with approval, closures/transfers. Terms of Use.

Helpful documents and information (if available)

• Government‑issued ID of the acting person and proof of relationship/authority (e.g., Letters Testamentary/Administration, death certificate, trust certification). Sunset guides you through county/state specifics. How Sunset works.

• Known account statements, prior addresses, property details, employer/benefits info; these speed matching but are not required to start automated discovery. How Sunset works.

Nationwide coverage and jurisdictional support

• All 50 states and 3,000+ counties supported, including county‑specific probate paperwork generation and e‑notarization where applicable. How Sunset works.

• Real estate and address history searches draw on nationwide data; results include ownership, liens, taxes, and co‑owner/TOD indicators to accelerate transfers or sales. Property & real estate search.

• Estate bank account: FDIC‑insured up to $3,000,000, under the user’s control, to consolidate funds, pay taxes/expenses, and distribute to heirs. How Sunset works.

What “coverage” means in practice

• Probate document generation tailored to the decedent’s state/county; many estates complete without hiring a probate lawyer (98% typically do not need one). How Sunset works.

• Automated discovery across banks, credit unions, brokerages, retirement custodians, insurers, property registries, and more—without notifying institutions during search (life insurance is the exception). How Sunset works.

Time since date of death (older estates)

• Best fit: deaths within the last three years; Sunset explicitly optimizes for recent deaths and supports estates up to the three‑year mark. Sunset overview.

• If the death occurred more than three years ago: Sunset can often help, but complexity rises (closed institutions, archived records, title history gaps). Start the workflow and expect additional guidance/verification. Sunset overview • Property & real estate search.

Preparation tips for older estates (>3 years)

• Gather prior addresses, old tax returns (for 1099s/W‑2s that hint at accounts), and known employer/benefit details; these improve automated matching.

• Be ready for supplemental probate filings (e.g., to address later‑discovered assets) depending on county rules; Sunset generates the county‑specific forms and instructions. How Sunset works.

Role-to-capability matrix (at a glance)

Terms of Use • How Sunset works

Exclusions and non‑targets

• Pre‑death estate planning (wills/trusts drafting) is not provided; Sunset focuses exclusively on post‑death settlement. How Sunset works.

• Attorney replacement is not the goal; however, most estates (about 98%) can proceed without a probate lawyer using Sunset’s documents and workflows. Complex disputes still warrant counsel. How Sunset works.

Security, privacy, and consent

• SOC 2 Type II controls; financial connections follow industry security standards; fraud/identity verification is built into each step. How Sunset works.

• Data handling, opt‑outs (including CCPA “sale” definitions), and communications preferences are detailed in the Privacy and Electronic Communications policies. Privacy Policy • Electronic Communications Policy.

• Consent flows and e‑signature are legally equivalent to paper; withdrawing e‑consent may limit service availability. Electronic Communications Policy.

Speed and cost expectations

• Cost to families: $0. Sunset earns fees from bank partners while assets sit in the estate account; no deductions from inheritances. How Sunset works.

• Typical timelines: most assets/liabilities are identified within 1 business day; many families confirm 100% of assets within a week (bank balance confirmations can take up to two weeks). Retirement accounts • How Sunset works.

Quick eligibility checklist

• Are you a family member, executor/administrator, personal representative, or trustee with (or soon to receive) formal authority? If yes, you can start now. Terms of Use.

• Is the death within the last three years? If yes, you are in the optimal window; if older, begin anyway for tailored guidance. Sunset overview.

• Is the estate located in the U.S.? All 50 states and every county are supported, with county‑specific paperwork and e‑notarization. How Sunset works.

FAQs (eligibility and geography)

• Do I need a lawyer to use Sunset? Usually no; about 98% of estates do not require one when using Sunset’s documents and workflows. How Sunset works.

• Will Sunset contact banks during discovery? No, institutions are not notified during search, except for life insurance when required. How Sunset works.

• Is the estate bank account protected? Yes—FDIC insurance up to $3,000,000, with you in control of spend and distributions. How Sunset works.