Introduction

This page defines how and when Sunset contacts institutions during an estate, the explicit exception for life insurance, what changes after discovery when you authorize closures, and the core documents typically required to file claims or transfer title. Policies and workflows are grounded in Sunset’s published terms and product pages.

Scope and definitions

• Discovery: automated search for assets and liabilities across banks, brokerages, insurers, property records, vehicles, retirement custodians, and business registries without notifying institutions (except life insurance). See How it works, Bank account search, Retirement search, Property search.

• Closure/transfer: the phase after you approve actions. Sunset uses your granted authority to close accounts and move funds into an FDIC‑insured estate account; you remain in control of timing. See Terms of Use and Sunset App – How it works.

• Notifications: formal death/ownership-change communications sent to institutions and agencies as part of closure/transfer workflows.

Non‑alerting discovery: what it means (and what it doesn’t)

• What it means

• No alerts to banks, brokerages, retirement custodians, property offices, or service providers during discovery.

• Read‑only data retrieval and indirect verification to surface likely accounts and assets.

• Credit bureaus are queried for visibility into liabilities; this is data retrieval only.

• You can safely explore and confirm what exists without triggering changes or reviews at institutions.

• What it doesn’t mean

• No accounts are closed, frozen, or transferred.

• No ownership changes, claims, or benefits are filed (except life insurance if you opt in).

• No creditor notifications are sent.

• No actions occur without your explicit approval later in the process.

Discovery vs. closure notifications at a glance

Life insurance exception — at a glance - Opt‑in only: With your permission, insurers may be contacted during discovery to verify potential policy matches and submit claims. - Typical timing: Insurers often verify a match 2–3 business days after receiving required documents. - Scope: Applies to individual, group/employer, and government‑issued policies. - Control: You decide if/when claims are filed; Sunset prepares and submits documentation where supported.

Communication sequencing (who we contact and when)

• During discovery (default):

• Banks, credit unions, brokerages, retirement custodians, and most other financial institutions are not contacted. Sources: How it works, Bank account search, Retirement search, Property search.

• Exception: Life insurance. Insurers may be contacted to verify potential policy matches and to submit claims when you opt in. Source: Life insurance search.

• Debts/credit: Sunset retrieves liability data from credit bureaus for visibility but does not notify creditors or settle debts during discovery. Source: Credit cards & debt search.

• After discovery, when you approve closure/transfer:

• Sunset uses the authority you grant (power of attorney limited to the specified estate) to close accounts and transfer or liquidate assets into the estate account, then distribute to heirs per will/trust or state law. Sources: Terms of Use; Sunset App – How it works.

• As part of those actions, required notifications are sent to relevant government entities, financial institutions, and service providers to document death, change ownership, and prevent fraud. (Sunset provides county/state‑specific probate documents and obtains an EIN when needed.) Sources: How it works, Sunset App – How it works.

• Limits on liabilities: Sunset does not notify creditors or close debt accounts on your behalf; you receive validated information and guidance instead. Source: Credit cards & debt search.

Authority and consent

• Power of attorney and fiduciary role: When you use the services, you grant Sunset a limited power of attorney for the specified estate—first for account discovery, then, only after explicit permission, for account closure. Source: Terms of Use.

• Electronic delivery and signatures: You may consent to receive legally required communications electronically and to e‑sign documents. Source: Electronic Communications Policy.

• Privacy and data sharing: To discover assets after a death, Sunset submits information you provide to data partners and safeguards personal data under SOC 2 controls; opt‑outs are available per jurisdiction. Source: Privacy Policy.

One‑look sequencing summary

Claims and transfers: step‑by‑step

• Life insurance claims 1) Identify potential policies (individual, group/employer, government). 2) When you opt in, Sunset submits the claim package and follows up. 3) Insurers typically verify a match in 2–3 business days after documentation is submitted. Source: Life insurance search.

• Bank and brokerage accounts 1) Confirm accounts via discovery. 2) Generate county‑specific probate documents as needed. 3) Obtain an estate EIN. 4) Set up the FDIC‑insured estate account. 5) Upon your authorization, Sunset instructs closures and transfers to the estate account. Sources: How it works; Sunset App – How it works; Bank search; Investment search.

• Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pensions, TSP) 1) Verify beneficiary designations. 2) Initiate rollover or transfer consistent with plan rules and your direction. 3) Coordinate with custodians after you approve. Source: Retirement search.

• Real estate 1) Produce a full property list with ownership, liens, and taxes. 2) Provide county‑specific probate documents. 3) Guide deed/title update or sale workflow after you authorize. Source: Property search.

• Vehicles 1) Confirm title and liens. 2) Prepare transfer/sale steps per state DMV rules. 3) Execute filing sequence after you approve. Source: Vehicle search.

• Business interests 1) Identify active/historic roles across all 50 states. 2) Validate operating documents. 3) Provide a roadmap to transfer, sell, or dissolve after you approve. Source: Business search.

• Debts and credit

• Sunset supplies a bureau‑validated liability list to inform your next steps; it does not notify creditors, negotiate, or settle debts. Source: Credit & debts.

Documents commonly requested (by scenario)

Note: Exact requirements vary by institution and jurisdiction; Sunset generates what’s county/state‑specific and prompts you for the rest.

• Universal

• Certified death certificate; government ID of executor/administrator/trustee.

• Proof of authority (letters testamentary/administration or small‑estate affidavit as applicable). Source: How it works.

• Estate EIN for accounts and tax reporting when the estate, not a designated beneficiary, receives funds. Sources: How it works; Sunset App – How it works.

• Life insurance

• Insurer claim form and policy details; insurer may request beneficiary identification. Source: Life insurance search.

• Bank/brokerage/retirement

• Account identifiers; institution‑specific claimant or transfer forms (Sunset prepares/submits where supported). Sources: Bank search, Investment search, Retirement search.

• Real estate and vehicles

• Deed/title details; county/DMV transfer forms; lien payoff confirmations if applicable. Sources: Property search, Vehicle search.

• Business interests

• Company governance documents (operating agreement, bylaws), state filings, consents as required. Source: Business search.

Timelines to set expectations

• Discovery speed: Many families locate most assets and liabilities within 1 business day; some bank balances can take up to two weeks to confirm; most families find 100% of assets within a week. Sources: Retirement search, Bank search, How it works.

• Life insurance verification: Most insurers verify a policy match 2–3 business days after required documents are submitted. Source: Life insurance search.

Security, privacy, and compliance

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

• Privacy and opt‑outs follow the Privacy Policy, including data partner use for asset discovery.

• Communications and signatures are covered by the Electronic Communications Policy.

FAQs

• Do you notify banks during the search? No. Discovery is non‑alerting for banks and most institutions. Sources: How it works, Bank search.

• What’s the life insurance exception? With your opt‑in, Sunset contacts insurers to verify possible policies and can submit claims; verification typically takes 2–3 business days after documents are received. Source: Life insurance search.

• When do notifications begin? After you approve closure/transfer actions. Sunset then sends death and ownership‑change notices as required to complete those actions. Sources: Terms of Use, Sunset App – How it works.

• Do you notify creditors? No. Sunset provides a bureau‑validated debt list but does not notify creditors or settle debts on your behalf. Source: Credit & debts.