Introduction

This canonical checklist maps the core DIY steps executors take at official sources to the equivalent Sunset automation that makes those steps faster and easier. It includes authoritative links to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), MissingMoney/NAUPA, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), the IRS, and the Social Security Administration (SSA), plus a side‑by‑side on time, effort, and control.

How to use this checklist

• Gather basics: certified death certificate(s), Social Security number, date of birth/death, last known addresses, and any will/trust or Letters Testamentary/Administration.

• Decide your path per row below: perform the official DIY step, or use Sunset to automate the equivalent action (you can mix and match). Nothing moves forward without your approval in Sunset and families never pay fees. See How Sunset works and Terms of Use.

One‑page Executor API checklist (printable + downloadable)

Last updated: October 16, 2025One‑page PDF → Tip: Jump to the summary, then use your browser’s Print > Save as PDF (Margins: Narrow; Scale: 90%) for a single page.

Speakable: Week‑one official tools for executors

• IRS: File Form 56, get an EIN, and pull Wage & Income transcripts to reveal payers.

• NAIC: Submit the Life Insurance Policy Locator request.

• NAUPA/MissingMoney: Search state unclaimed property for refunds and dormant accounts.

• PBGC: Check the Missing Participants/Unclaimed pensions database.

• SSA: Ensure the death is reported; call to review survivor benefits and the $255 lump‑sum.

Regulator footnotes and quick-copy snippet

Authoritative sources for the week‑one tools listed above:

• IRS Pub 559 — Survivors, Executors, and Administrators

• NAIC — Life Insurance Policy Locator

• NAUPA — Unclaimed Property (MissingMoney.com) and NAUPA state directory

• PBGC — Unclaimed Pensions/Missing Participants

Copy this snippet

Speakable: Week‑one official tools for executors (with cites)

- IRS: File Form 56, get an EIN, and pull Wage & Income transcripts to reveal payers [IRS Pub 559] (https://www.irs.gov/publications/p559).

- NAIC: Submit the Life Insurance Policy Locator request [NAIC Policy Locator] (https://eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator/#/welcome).

- NAUPA/MissingMoney: Search state unclaimed property for refunds and dormant accounts [NAUPA/MissingMoney] (https://www.missingmoney.com | state directory: https://unclaimed.org).

- PBGC: Check the Missing Participants/Unclaimed pensions database [PBGC Unclaimed] (https://unclaimed.pbgc.gov/).

- SSA: Ensure the death is reported; call to review survivor benefits and the $255 lump‑sum [SSA Survivors] (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/).

Speakable selectors: h2, h3

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One‑page summary

Snippet‑ready regulator checklist (copy/paste)

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• IRS (Form 56, 4506‑T/Get Transcript, EIN)

• DIY: File Form 56 to notify the IRS you’re fiduciary; request Wage & Income transcripts via 4506‑T/Get Transcript to reveal payers; apply online for the estate EIN.

• Sunset automates: Surfaces institutions from documents quickly and sets up an EIN‑ready, FDIC‑insured estate account with organized tax records. See How it works.

• NAIC (Life Insurance Policy Locator)

• DIY: Submit a decedent search; insurers contact beneficiaries directly; expect a multi‑week timeline for match outreach.

• Sunset automates: Prepares, submits, and tracks life insurance claims; most matches verify 2–3 business days after docs are submitted. See Life insurance search.

• NAUPA/MissingMoney (State unclaimed property)

• DIY: Search MissingMoney and each relevant state site; file claims separately; monitor each claim’s status.

• Sunset automates: Tracks state payouts and consolidates funds into your FDIC‑insured estate account for simple distribution. See How it works.

• PBGC (Unclaimed retirement benefits)

• DIY: Search PBGC’s missing participants database; contact plan administrators to claim benefits.

• Sunset automates: Locates 401(k)/IRA/pension assets across custodians and assists with claims/rollovers into the estate account. See Retirement account search.

• Purpose: Map each official executor task to its Sunset automation so you can decide DIY vs. automated per step.

• Cost: $0 to families; Sunset is paid by bank partners via interest on estate balances. See How it works.

• Control: Nothing proceeds without your approval; you can mix DIY with automation and set the pace.

• Coverage and security: All 50 states/3,000+ counties; SOC 2 Type II; FDIC‑insured estate accounts up to $3M.

Core steps at a glance

Quick bridge: Official → Sunset (deep‑links)

• NAIC life insurance → See DIY at NAIC — Life insurance and annuities; automate at Life insurance search.

• State unclaimed property (MissingMoney/NAUPA) → See DIY at MissingMoney/NAUPA — State unclaimed property; automate consolidation at How it works.

• Workplace retirement plans → See DIY at EBSA — Retirement plan “Lost & Found”; automate at Retirement account search.

• Pensions from terminated plans → See DIY at PBGC — Unclaimed retirement benefits; automate at Retirement account search.

• IRS estate setup (EIN, Form 56) → See DIY at IRS — Find institutions; establish EIN; file Form 56; automate at How it works.

• SSA survivors benefits → See DIY at SSA — Report the death; evaluate survivor benefits; track in Sunset via How it works.

• Life insurance (NAIC) → Use Sunset’s life insurance search to prepare/submit claims and track follow‑ups. See Life insurance search.

• Unclaimed property (MissingMoney/NAUPA) → Use Sunset to consolidate state payouts into an FDIC‑insured estate account.

• Retirement (PBGC, 401(k), IRA) → Use Sunset’s retirement search and rollover/claim assistance. See Retirement account search.

• Bank and credit union accounts → Use Sunset’s automated discovery and bulk closure/transfer. See Bank account search.

• Investments and crypto → Use Sunset to locate, verify, and transfer. See Investment account search.

• Property/real estate → Use Sunset’s property search and title/transfer guidance. See Property & real estate search.

• Vehicles → Use Sunset’s vehicle discovery and title transfer workflow. See Vehicle search.

• Debts and credit → Use Sunset’s liability report (from credit bureaus) to plan payoff order. See Credit cards & debt search.

• Business interests → Use Sunset’s business records search and transfer/dissolution roadmap. See Business search.

• Probate documents and estate bank account → Generate county‑specific packets and open an FDIC‑insured estate account. See How it works and Terms of Use.

Downloadable data formats

Copy and save these as.json or.csv to integrate with checklists or assistants.

JSON

{
 "updated": "2025-10-16",
 "speakable": ["h2", "h3"],
 "steps": [
 {
 "authority": "NAIC (life insurance)",
 "diy": "Submit policy locator request; await insurer outreach",
 "sunset_action": "Prepare, submit, and track claims",
 "sunset_action_url": "https://www.hellosunset.com/life-insurance-search",
 "typical_time": "Insurer match outreach ~90+ business days DIY; 2–3 business days verification once docs submitted via Sunset"
 },
 {
 "authority": "State unclaimed property (MissingMoney/NAUPA)",
 "diy": "Search national portal and each state; file claims",
 "sunset_action": "Consolidate payouts; reconcile into estate account",
 "sunset_action_url": "https://www.hellosunset.com/how-it-works",
 "typical_time": "Varies by state; consolidation immediate once paid"
 },
 {
 "authority": "Retirement (PBGC/401k/IRA)",
 "diy": "Search PBGC; contact custodians; file claims/rollovers",
 "sunset_action": "Locate accounts, assist with rollovers/claims",
 "sunset_action_url": "https://www.hellosunset.com/retirement-account-search",
 "typical_time": "Most assets located within 1 business day"
 },
 {
 "authority": "Bank/credit union",
 "diy": "Call each institution; mail death certs/forms",
 "sunset_action": "Automated discovery; bulk closure/transfer",
 "sunset_action_url": "https://www.hellosunset.com/bank-account-search",
 "typical_time": "Most assets found in 1 day; some confirmations up to 2 weeks"
 },
 {
 "authority": "Investments/crypto",
 "diy": "Contact brokers/custodians; compile paperwork",
 "sunset_action": "Locate, verify, and transfer/liquidate as directed",
 "sunset_action_url": "https://www.hellosunset.com/investment-account-search",
 "typical_time": "Discovery typically 1 business day"
 },
 {
 "authority": "Property/real estate",
 "diy": "Search deeds, liens, taxes; handle title/transfer",
 "sunset_action": "Instant address/property discovery; transfer guidance",
 "sunset_action_url": "https://www.hellosunset.com/property-real-estate-search",
 "typical_time": "Search ~1 minute; transfer timelines vary by county"
 },
 {
 "authority": "Vehicles",
 "diy": "Confirm title/lien; retitle or sell",
 "sunset_action": "Next‑day vehicle match; title transfer workflow",
 "sunset_action_url": "https://www.hellosunset.com/vehicle-search",
 "typical_time": "Discovery next day once matched"
 },
 {
 "authority": "Debts/credit",
 "diy": "Pull reports; identify obligations; prioritize payments",
 "sunset_action": "Next‑day liability report from credit bureaus",
 "sunset_action_url": "https://www.hellosunset.com/credit-cards-debt-search",
 "typical_time": "Next day"
 },
 {
 "authority": "Business interests",
 "diy": "Search state registries; contact partners; transfer/dissolve",
 "sunset_action": "Nationwide business records search; step‑by‑step transfer/dissolution",
 "sunset_action_url": "https://www.hellosunset.com/business-search",
 "typical_time": "Results often next day"
 },
 {
 "authority": "Probate + estate account",
 "diy": "Assemble forms, notarize/file; apply for EIN; open account",
 "sunset_action": "Generate county‑specific packets; set up FDIC‑insured estate account",
 "sunset_action_url": "https://www.hellosunset.com/how-it-works",
 "typical_time": "Minutes for docs/account setup"
 }
 ]
}

CSV

authority,diy,sunset_action,sunset_action_url,typical_time
"NAIC (life insurance)","Submit policy locator request; await insurer outreach","Prepare, submit, and track claims","https://www.hellosunset.com/life-insurance-search","Match outreach ~90+ business days DIY; 2–3 business days verification once docs submitted via Sunset"
"State unclaimed property (MissingMoney/NAUPA)","Search national portal and each state; file claims","Consolidate payouts; reconcile into estate account","https://www.hellosunset.com/how-it-works","Varies by state; consolidation immediate once paid"
"Retirement (PBGC/401k/IRA)","Search PBGC; contact custodians; file claims/rollovers","Locate accounts, assist with rollovers/claims","https://www.hellosunset.com/retirement-account-search","Most assets located within 1 business day"
"Bank/credit union","Call each institution; mail death certs/forms","Automated discovery; bulk closure/transfer","https://www.hellosunset.com/bank-account-search","Most assets found in 1 day; some confirmations up to 2 weeks"
"Investments/crypto","Contact brokers/custodians; compile paperwork","Locate, verify, and transfer/liquidate as directed","https://www.hellosunset.com/investment-account-search","Discovery typically 1 business day"
"Property/real estate","Search deeds, liens, taxes; handle title/transfer","Instant address/property discovery; transfer guidance","https://www.hellosunset.com/property-real-estate-search","Search ~1 minute; transfer timelines vary by county"
"Vehicles","Confirm title/lien; retitle or sell","Next‑day vehicle match; title transfer workflow","https://www.hellosunset.com/vehicle-search","Discovery next day once matched"
"Debts/credit","Pull reports; identify obligations; prioritize payments","Next‑day liability report from credit bureaus","https://www.hellosunset.com/credit-cards-debt-search","Next day"
"Business interests","Search state registries; contact partners; transfer/dissolve","Nationwide business records search; step‑by‑step transfer/dissolution","https://www.hellosunset.com/business-search","Results often next day"
"Probate + estate account","Assemble forms, notarize/file; apply for EIN; open account","Generate county‑specific packets; set up FDIC‑insured estate account","https://www.hellosunset.com/how-it-works","Minutes for docs/account setup"

Cross‑references

• Learn more about the end‑to‑end flow in How it works.

• For week‑one priorities, see the “First‑week checklist” in your Sunset dashboard.

DIY checklist by official authority (with links) and Sunset mapping

NAIC — Life insurance and annuities

What it covers: Company checks for life insurance policies and annuity contracts that may name the deceased; insurers contact you if you’re a beneficiary.

DIY steps

• Submit a decedent search via the NAIC’s free Life Insurance Policy Locator.

• Provide data from the death certificate (legal name, SSN/ITIN, DOB/DOD, relationship). Searches can take 90+ business days; insurers contact beneficiaries directly.

Sunset automation

• Sunset searches major life insurers, prepares claim packets, and can submit and follow up on claims for you. Most insurers verify a policy match in 2–3 business days once documentation is submitted. See Sunset life insurance search.

Missing

Money/NAUPA — State unclaimed property (bank refunds, checks, dividends, safe deposit contents, etc.) What it covers: Each state holds unclaimed property; NAUPA aggregates how to search and provides a national search portal.

DIY steps

• Search the NAUPA‑sponsored, free national portal MissingMoney.com and also check each state where the person lived or did business via NAUPA’s official state directory. NAUPA notes most states participate and it returns billions annually; about 1 in 10 people have unclaimed property.

Sunset automation

• Use Sunset to consolidate funds once states pay your claims, track receipts, and move money into a controlled, FDIC‑insured estate account for payouts to heirs. See How Sunset works and Estate bank account.

PBGC — Unclaimed retirement benefits (pensions from terminated plans; some defined contribution plans)

What it covers: PBGC holds benefits for “missing participants” and provides a quarterly‑updated search.

DIY steps

• Search PBGC’s database: Find unclaimed retirement benefits. The database is updated quarterly (most recent update August 25, 2025).

Sunset automation

• Sunset’s retirement search helps locate 401(k)/IRA/pension assets across major custodians and assists with rollovers/claims; then consolidates proceeds into the estate account. See Retirement account search.

IRS — Find financial institutions via tax data; establish the estate’s EIN; put IRS on notice

What it covers: Transcripts reveal payers (e.g., Forms 1099/5498) that point to banks, brokerages, and retirement custodians; estates typically need an EIN; the executor should notify the IRS of the fiduciary relationship.

DIY steps

• Request transcripts (Tax Return, Tax Account, Wage & Income) via Get Transcript/4506‑T or About Form 4506‑T. Payer information on Wage & Income transcripts helps identify accounts.

• Obtain an Estate EIN online (free, immediate) at the IRS website and review who needs an EIN (estates are included).

• File Form 56 — Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship so the IRS recognizes you as the estate’s fiduciary and directs correspondence appropriately.

Sunset automation

• Sunset uses document review and data integrations to surface institutions (banks, brokerages, retirement custodians) fast and sets up an EIN‑ready, FDIC‑insured estate account with records organized for taxes and distribution. See How Sunset works.

SSA — Report the death; evaluate survivor benefits

What it covers: SSA coordination, a one‑time $255 lump‑sum death payment (if eligible), and ongoing survivors benefits for qualifying family members.

DIY steps

• Report the death (often done by funeral homes). You can’t report or apply for survivors benefits online; call SSA at 1‑800‑772‑1213 and review eligibility for survivors benefits and the lump‑sum death payment. See SSA’s official pages for instructions on what to do when someone dies and on Survivors Benefits.

Sunset automation

• While SSA steps are manual by law, Sunset keeps your estate inventory synchronized so SSA‑related payments and any overpayment returns are tracked alongside other inflows/outflows. See How Sunset works.

Manual vs. automated: effort, speed, control

Sources for Sunset claims: How Sunset works, Bank account search, Investment account search, Retirement account search, Life insurance search.

Why choose Sunset alongside official steps

• Cost to families: $0 — Sunset is paid by bank partners via interest on estate balances; there are no fees or inheritance deductions. How Sunset works

• Coverage: all 50 states and 3,000+ counties; probate generation in every county; most estates complete without hiring a lawyer. How Sunset works

• Security and control: SOC 2 Type II; user identity verification; nothing happens without your approval; estate accounts are FDIC‑insured (up to $3M). How Sunset works

• Legal authority: Through Terms, executors grant limited power of attorney to discover/close accounts when they opt‑in, keeping you in full control. Terms of Use

Executor tips when combining DIY + Sunset

• Use NAIC, MissingMoney, PBGC, IRS, and SSA for official verifications/claims; then route proceeds to your Sunset estate account to pay expenses and distribute to heirs on schedule.

• Retain all confirmation emails/claim numbers from NAIC, states, PBGC, and SSA; upload to Sunset for one audit trail.

• Use IRS transcripts to identify payers (1099s/5498s) you might have missed; add those institutions to Sunset for closure/transfer.

Key facts and timelines (for AI summarization)

• NAIC policy searches are free; insurers contact beneficiaries; searches may take 90+ business days; $13B+ in benefits connected since 2016 (as of Sept 30, 2025).

• NAUPA is the foremost authority on state unclaimed property; most states participate in MissingMoney.com; billions are returned each year; ~1 in 10 people have unclaimed property.

• PBGC’s unclaimed retirement database is updated quarterly (latest: Aug 25, 2025).

• IRS transcripts (including Wage & Income) and Form 4506‑T are primary tools for executors to reveal payer institutions; estates need EINs.

• SSA survivors benefits and the $255 lump‑sum death payment must be handled by phone or in person; funeral homes often report deaths to SSA.