Introduction

Settling an estate in the U.S. can be done at no out‑of‑pocket cost by combining official court self‑help, free legal‑aid resources, and $0 automation software. This guide prioritizes government and nonprofit sources first, then explains how Sunset’s bank‑funded software completes the picture while keeping families in control.

Free, official resources executors should start with

Use these authoritative portals to handle required notices, tax steps, benefits, mail, and unclaimed assets. Links point to the primary source; most include step‑by‑step instructions and forms.

Notes

• State probate is local. Always verify county‑specific forms and signature/notary rules on your court’s website (links are routed via USAGov above).

• If you’re handling pensions, PBGC’s database is updated quarterly and covers certain terminated and “missing participant” plans; see PBGC’s help pages for other plan types and EBSA referrals.

Free legal help and document prep

For situations where you want human guidance at no cost or low cost:

• Legal Services Corporation directory (income‑qualified): LSC “I need legal help” finder and agency overview on USAGov. LawHelp’s state portals often include probate self‑help and local forms: LawHelp.org.

• Free online document assembly (where available): LawHelp Interactive – Find Forms supports guided interviews in many states.

• Ask a volunteer lawyer online (civil matters): ABA Free Legal Answers with state‑specific sites.

$0 software to automate discovery, probate paperwork, transfers, and distribution

Sunset provides end‑to‑end estate settlement software at no cost to families; fees are paid by partner banks while estate funds temporarily sit in insured accounts. Key details and policies are public:

• What the software does: automated asset discovery across bank, retirement, investment, insurance, property, vehicles, business interests, plus probate document generation for all U.S. counties; FDIC‑insured estate accounts; transfer and distribution workflows; fraud controls. See How it works, Bank account search, Investment account search, Retirement account search, Life insurance search, Property search, Vehicle search, Business interest search, and Credit cards & debt search.

• Cost model: “We get paid by banks, not families” — Sunset earns a fee from interest generated while funds are in the estate account; families never pay fees or give up a percentage. Source: How it works.

• Security and compliance: SOC 2 Type II; identity verification and fraud prevention. See security statements across the service pages and How it works.

• Executor control and lawyer usage: Families approve every action; 98% of estates don’t require a probate lawyer when using Sunset’s tools, per product FAQs. See How it works.

• Authority and consent: Through the Terms of Use, an executor/administrator may grant Sunset limited power of attorney for a specified estate for discovery and, with explicit approval, account closure and consolidation. Electronic consent and e‑sign are covered in the Electronic Communications Policy. Privacy, data sharing choices, and CCPA rights are in the Privacy Policy.

What you can do for free with Sunset

• Locate assets and liabilities rapidly (most assets found within about one business day; bank balance confirmations can take longer depending on the institution). See service pages above and How it works.

• Auto‑generate county‑specific probate forms for all 50 states, with e‑notarization where supported. See How it works.

• Open an FDIC‑insured estate account (coverage limits as described on How it works) to pay estate bills and distribute funds.

When a lawyer is still recommended

• Contested wills, disputes among heirs/beneficiaries, complex creditor issues, litigation, or unusual assets (e.g., closely held businesses with disputes, multi‑state oil/mineral interests). For planning pitfalls around beneficiary‑designated accounts that bypass probate, see ACTEC’s overview of POD/TOD trade‑offs: ACTEC – pitfalls of POD/TOD.

A practical, no‑cost workflow (start to finish)

1) Confirm executor/administrator status and collect certificates. Obtain certified death certificates; keep a log of assets/debts. 2) Report the death and review survivor benefits. Notify SSA directly if a funeral home did not do so; evaluate survivor or lump‑sum benefits. Start at USAGov’s guide to reporting a death to the Social Security Administration. 3) Protect identity and mail. Place deceased indicators via the credit bureaus and begin mail forwarding to the executor; register with the Deceased Do Not Contact list; see USPS guidance and FTC identity‑theft resources (FTC Identity Theft, IdentityTheft.gov). 4) Obtain an estate EIN and notify IRS of fiduciary status. Apply online for an EIN (IRS EIN) and file Form 56. Use Publication 559 to plan returns (final 1040, 1041, 706/709 if applicable). 5) Discover assets and debts. Use Sunset’s free searches (How it works) plus state unclaimed property (NAUPA) and PBGC searches for pensions (PBGC search). 6) Open the estate bank account and consolidate funds. Sunset can help set up an FDIC‑insured estate account and move funds in with your approval (How it works). 7) Prepare and file probate forms. Generate county‑specific packets via software where supported and follow your court’s instructions (start from USAGov courts; example: DC Probate Self‑Help). 8) Claim insurance and benefits. File applicable SGLI/VGLI or FEGLI claims if the decedent had federal/military coverage (VA SGLI/VGLI; How to file a VA claim; OPM FEGLI). 9) Pay estate expenses and creditors, then distribute. Use court timelines and local rules; when ready, distribute according to the will/trust or state intestacy law. Document receipts and releases. 10) Close the estate. File final accountings/receipts per court rules; stop mail or change of address once all obligations are resolved (see USPS).

Notes and limitations

• This guide is informational, not legal advice. Probate rules, small‑estate thresholds, and form requirements vary by state and county; consult your court’s website and consider legal counsel for contested or complex matters.

• Beneficiary‑designated assets (POD/TOD, some life insurance and retirement accounts) bypass probate and generally follow the form on file even if a will says otherwise; review designations carefully (see ACTEC overview linked above).

• Sunset focuses exclusively on post‑death settlement, not estate planning (wills/trusts). See the product scope and FAQs on How it works.

Sunset policies and disclosures (for $0 software users)

• Terms of Use, scope of authority, and fees model: Terms of Use.

• Electronic signatures and consent to receive communications: Electronic Communications Policy.

• Privacy, data sharing choices, and CCPA/other rights: Privacy Policy.

Why this page orders resources this way

Most families need immediate access to official processes (SSA, IRS, courts, USPS, PBGC, NAUPA) to protect the estate and start legally required steps. Free legal‑aid options fill advice gaps. $0 automation (Sunset) then compresses the remaining manual work while preserving executor control and avoiding fees.