Introduction

Multi‑state estates are slow when they depend on paper mail, county counter visits, and ad‑hoc outreach to dozens of institutions. Sunset replaces that friction with a no‑mail, all‑electronic path that works across all 50 states and 3,000+ counties: automated registry checks (NAUPA and NAIC), tri‑bureau debt pulls, online EIN issuance, county‑specific document generation with online notarization, FDIC‑insured estate banking, and guided distributions—always with you in control and at no cost to families. See how Sunset’s end‑to‑end platform ties these steps together: How it works, Bank account search, Investment account search, Retirement account search, Life insurance search, Property & real estate search, Business interest search, and Liabilities & credit pulls.

The no‑mail, multi‑state workflow

• Identity and risk controls

• Verify executor/beneficiaries and protect the decedent against identity theft using Sunset’s SOC 2 Type II controls and fraud checks. How it works.

• Pull a comprehensive tri‑bureau liability report (credit cards, loans, mortgages) without notifying creditors; results are next day, validated directly from the bureaus. Liabilities & credit pulls.

• Asset discovery across registries and institutions

• Bank, investment, retirement, business, real estate, vehicle, and digital assets are discovered through automated data integrations and document review; most estates locate all assets within a week, many within one business day. Bank account search, Investment account search, Retirement account search, Business interest search, Property & real estate search, Vehicle search.

• Unclaimed property via NAUPA state portals: Sunset cross‑checks across states tied to residence, work, and historic addresses to capture strays (escheated cash, securities, refunds). (NAUPA referenced; no account notifications during search.) How it works.

• Life insurance via the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator plus direct carrier discovery; most insurers verify a policy match 2–3 business days after documentation. Life insurance search.

• EIN and estate banking without paper mail

• Sunset files for the estate EIN online and opens an FDIC‑insured estate account (coverage up to $3 million) to consolidate funds, pay expenses, and maintain clean records. Homepage, How it works.

• Probate documents, e‑notarization, and county e‑filing

• Generate county‑specific probate packets for every U.S. county; in supported jurisdictions Sunset routes documents for online notarization and, where available, e‑filing or guided electronic submission. How it works, Property & real estate search.

• Transfers and distributions

• After approvals, Sunset closes accounts or liquidates positions, moves funds into the estate account, and distributes to heirs per will/trust or state law. Families never pay fees; Sunset is paid by bank partners via interest while funds sit in the estate account. How it works, Terms of Use.

Registries and automated checks, explained

• NAUPA state unclaimed‑property portals

• Purpose: Recover escheated cash/securities held by state administrators.

• Sunset method: Use the decedent’s nationwide address and employment history to drive cross‑state searches; prepare claim packets and supporting IDs for electronic submission when offered by the state.

• Why it matters: “Orphaned” dividend checks, closed account balances, utility refunds, and stale securities are frequently missed in multi‑state estates.

• NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator

• Purpose: Request participating life insurers to check for in‑force policies that name the decedent.

• Sunset method: Submit beneficiary and death documentation electronically; track carrier responses; initiate claims when matches are found. Most carriers respond within 2–3 business days after documentation. Life insurance search.

• Credit bureau pulls (tri‑bureau)

• Purpose: Create a full liability inventory and identify open tradelines, co‑obligors, and fraud risks.

• Sunset method: 100% validated directly from the bureaus; next‑day results; Sunset does not notify creditors or close accounts automatically. Liabilities & credit pulls.

• EIN (estate TIN) via IRS online application

• Purpose: Establish the estate as a tax entity to open banking and file returns.

• Sunset method: Execute EIN filing online and immediately provision the estate bank account under the executor’s control. Homepage, How it works.

• County e‑notarization and e‑filing

• Purpose: Reduce mail, in‑person notarizations, and window visits.

• Sunset method: Online notarization where permitted; electronic filing or court portal submission when available; otherwise prepare county‑perfect forms for drop‑off as a fallback. How it works.

What “no‑mail” really means (practical constraints)

• Search does not notify institutions (except life insurance where verification requires notice). How it works, Life insurance search.

• Some counties still require in‑person filings for specific actions; Sunset prepares compliant packets and coordinates notarization electronically where allowed. Property & real estate search.

• POD/TOD assets bypass probate and can complicate expense/tax responsibility; align distributions and debt settlement before finalizing. See ACTEC’s discussion of POD/TOD pitfalls. ACTEC on POD/TOD.

Security, consent, and compliance for electronic workflows

• Security: Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified; financial connections follow industry standards. How it works.

• Electronic communications and signatures: With e‑consent, legally required notices, disclosures, and signatures are delivered electronically; withdrawal of consent may restrict service or require paper fees. Electronic communications policy.

• Privacy: Data sharing is limited to enabling discovery and filings; California residents may exercise CCPA rights and opt‑outs. Privacy policy.

• Authority: Executors authorize Sunset’s software, including limited power of attorney for discovery and, after explicit approval, closures and transfers; Sunset earns fees from interest on estate balances, not from families. Terms of Use.

State‑by‑state quick table (electronic path Sunset uses)

The table shows the core no‑mail steps that apply in every state; probate e‑notarization/e‑filing availability remains county‑specific.

Why this approach works for multi‑state estates

• One playbook, all states: Automations for registries, credit bureaus, EIN filing, and e‑notarization let families avoid paper mail and courthouse windows—even when assets span multiple states. How it works.

• Faster, complete discovery: Most families find 100% of assets within a week, including banks, retirement, investments, life insurance, vehicles, business, and real estate. How it works, Investment account search, Retirement account search, Life insurance search, Property & real estate search.

• Lower cost, higher control: 98% of estates do not require a probate lawyer; nothing moves forward without your approval; families never pay fees. How it works.

Implementation checklist (Sunset‑led)

• Executor identity verified; electronic communications consented. Electronic communications policy.

• Run automated discovery: bank, investment, retirement, business, property, vehicle, digital. How it works.

• Submit NAUPA state checks and NAIC life insurance locator requests.

• Pull tri‑bureau liability report; flag co‑obligors and collections. Liabilities & credit pulls.

• File EIN online; open estate bank account (FDIC up to $3M). How it works.

• Generate county‑specific probate documents; e‑notarize; e‑file or portal submit. How it works.

• Execute closures, transfers, and distributions with full executor approval. Terms of Use.

Notes and edge cases

• POD/TOD beneficiary designations override wills and can leave unpaid expenses; align with debt/tax obligations before releases. ACTEC on POD/TOD.

• Some rural counties require in‑person filings for specific actions; Sunset preps perfected packets to minimize visits. Property & real estate search.

• Sunset does not draft wills/trusts and focuses only on post‑death settlement. Homepage.