TL;DR: NAUPA/MissingMoney shows escheated funds only; active accounts won’t appear. Search both—and let Sunset file claims for free.

Introduction

When a loved one dies, families often check NAUPA- and MissingMoney-powered state sites for “found money.” These portals are essential—but they only list assets that have already been escheated to a state’s unclaimed property program. Active, still-held accounts at banks, brokerages, insurers, or employers will not appear there. This guide explains what NAUPA/MissingMoney shows, what it doesn’t, typical filing timelines and proof requirements for claims, and how Sunset’s automated discovery complements those searches by surfacing active accounts and organizing the documentation needed to claim funds and settle the estate.

At‑a‑glance: NAUPA/Missing

Money vs. Active Accounts | Source | What it is | When items appear | What you’ll see | What’s missing | Next step | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | NAUPA/MissingMoney (state portals) | State-run listings of property already turned over (“escheated”) | After dormancy and state reporting | Owner name, last address, holder, property type, claim workflow | Live balances; most active accounts; beneficiary details | File a claim with your state; gather ID/estate proofs | | Active accounts (banks, brokers, insurers, employers) | Assets still held at the institution | Immediately (account is open) | Current balances, statements, beneficiary records, closure/transfer paths | Central map of where to look; each institution has its own process | Run automated discovery before contacting holders |

Do this now (5 steps) 1) Capture the state listing: Save claim ID, holder, and last-known address from the NAUPA/MissingMoney portal. 2) Run active discovery: Use Sunset to enumerate bank, retirement, investment, and insurance accounts that won’t show on state portals. How Sunset works 3) Establish authority: Generate county-specific probate documents (Letters or small-estate affidavits, as applicable). How Sunset works 4) File the state claim: Submit required proofs (ID, death certificate, appointment, address history) via your state’s portal. 5) Consolidate and distribute: Move proceeds into an FDIC‑insured estate account and distribute per the will or state law. How Sunset works

NAUPA and Missing

Money: What they are—and aren’t> What NAUPA doesn’t show (and why it matters)

• Active, still-held accounts at banks, brokerages, insurers, and employers don’t appear on state unclaimed property portals until after dormancy and reporting.
• Beneficiary details (POD/TOD, life insurance beneficiaries) are held by the institution and won’t be listed by the state.
• To avoid misses, run active discovery first, then file any state claims you find.
• If you suspect a policy, run a focused search now: Free life insurance search

State shortlinks (fast access)

Below are five high-volume states and how to approach claims. Each state has its own portal and proof rules; use this as a quick-start checklist before filing.

Pro tip: Capture the claim ID, holder name, and last-known address from the state listing, then use Sunset to enumerate active accounts that won’t appear on the state portal. After you’ve gathered proofs, file the state claim and route proceeds to your estate account for distribution.

• NAUPA is the state administrators’ association that standardizes unclaimed property reporting; MissingMoney is the NAUPA-endorsed consumer search portal used by many states.

• Listings represent property already reported to a state after a statutory dormancy period (e.g., inactive bank accounts, uncashed checks, matured policies). They do not include most active, open accounts.

• Many—but not all—states publish data through MissingMoney; every state maintains its own claim portal and rules.

What unclaimed property portals show vs active accounts

• What they typically show

• Name and last-known address of the apparent owner

• Holder name (bank/insurer/employer) and a general property type (e.g., bank deposit, securities, insurance)

• Claim status and instructions to file with the state

• What they typically do not show

• Real-time balances at banks/brokerages/insurers

• Retirement plan details (beneficiary designations, distribution options)

• Bills, debts, or obligations (use credit-bureau data for that)

• Non-probate transfers still at the institution (POD/TOD, beneficiary accounts)—these bypass probate and won’t appear unless the institution escheats them later; beneficiary designations also supersede wills, which can create distribution mismatches if not coordinated. See the ACTEC discussion of POD/TOD implications for context. ACTEC on POD/TOD pitfalls

Quick comparison

Filing a state unclaimed property claim: timelines and proof

Note: Each state sets its own rules. The following reflects common patterns you should expect when claiming as an individual or as an estate representative.

Typical timelines

• Dormancy and reporting: A holder reports dormant property to a state after inactivity (varies by property type and state). States then publish items for claim.

• Claim window: Most states allow claims at any time; securities may be liquidated after transfer to the state, so the claim may deliver cash value rather than shares.

• Processing time: Straightforward individual claims often resolve in weeks; estate claims can take longer depending on documentation completeness and whether ancillary probate is needed.

Proof checklist for common claim types

• Individual claimant (owed to you personally)

• Proof of identity: government-issued photo ID

• Proof of SSN/TIN (if requested)

• Proof of address/ownership at time of the account (e.g., dated statements, tax records, utility bills)

• Any holder correspondence (e.g., 1099s, policies, checks)

• Estate/executor claimant (owed to a decedent)

• Certified death certificate

• Court authority: Letters Testamentary/Administration or state-accepted small estate documentation

• Proof of your identity and appointment as personal representative

• Proof tying the decedent to the last-known address (old statements, tax filings)

• For insurance: policy details or claim correspondence, if any

• State tax/withholding forms as required

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Name and address mismatches: Middle initials, prior names, or old addresses block matching. Build a thorough address/name history before filing.

• Beneficiary vs estate ownership: Where a beneficiary was named (POD/TOD/insurance), that designation overrides a will; coordinate filings accordingly. ACTEC on POD/TOD pitfalls

• Incomplete authority: States generally require proof of appointment for estate claims; Sunset can generate county-specific probate documents in every state to establish authority. Probate document generation

How Sunset complements NAUPA/Missing

Money Sunset is designed to prevent misses by discovering active and escheated assets, organizing proofs, and consolidating funds—without families paying fees.

• Nationwide, multi-asset discovery: Bank, retirement, investment, life insurance, real estate, vehicles, business interests, and debts—most results within one business day; some bank balance confirmations can take up to two weeks. Bank accounts, Retirement, Investments, Life insurance, Real estate, Debts

• Cross-check across states: Sunset’s discovery includes nationwide data sources and unclaimed-property signals; families frequently uncover “lost” assets missed by manual searches. Industry coverage of Sunset’s free discovery tool highlights the scale of unclaimed assets and the value of automated checks. FuneralVision coverage, Press announcement, Background

• Probate authority and paperwork: Generate county-specific probate documents across all 50 states and 3,000+ counties to establish claim authority—98% of estates don’t require a probate lawyer when using Sunset. How Sunset works

• Consolidate and distribute: Move proceeds into an FDIC-insured estate account (up to $3M coverage) you control, pay estate expenses, then distribute to heirs. How Sunset works

• Cost and alignment: Sunset is 100% free to families; Sunset is funded by bank partners via interest earned while funds sit in the estate account—so every dollar discovered goes to heirs. How Sunset works

• Security and privacy: SOC 2 Type II certified; robust verification prevents fraud and identity theft. Sunset shares only what’s needed to discover and secure assets. Security + privacy, Privacy Policy

Step-by-step: If you see your loved one on NAUPA/Missing

Money

Active vs escheated: what families should do first

• Bold rule of thumb: Active accounts live with the institution; escheated funds live with the state. Use both paths.

• Start with active discovery to capture bank, retirement, brokerage, and insurance accounts before they ever hit unclaimed property. Then file any state claims you found on NAUPA/MissingMoney.

• Why this sequencing matters: Active institutions provide balances, beneficiary records, and closure/transfer options immediately; state listings provide only claim guidance for already-reported property.

Typical dormancy timelines (vary by state)

• Bank deposits (checking/savings/CDs): ~3–5 years of inactivity

• Payroll checks/refunds: ~1–2 years

• Brokerage/custodial accounts: ~3–5 years (may differ for DRIPs/agent-held dividends)

• IRAs/retirement plans: often tied to age-based RMD or post‑contact rules; unresponsive accounts may escheat after multiple missed contacts

• Life insurance: typically 3–5 years after proof-of-death match or maturity if the carrier cannot locate a beneficiary

• Safe deposit boxes: commonly 3–5 years of unpaid rent/inactivity, then contents transferred or liquidated by the state Note: Securities may be liquidated after transfer to the state, so claims can pay cash value rather than shares. Coordinate with the state to understand treatment.

Beneficiaries vs estate (POD/TOD/insurance)

• Beneficiary designations bypass probate and override wills; these usually will not appear on state portals unless later escheated due to non-response. Coordinate filings so beneficiary claims and estate claims don’t conflict. See the ACTEC discussion for context: ACTEC on POD/TOD pitfalls

FAQs

• Do state portals show live balances? No. They show holder name, property type, and how to claim; balances and details remain with the institution until escheatment.

• Will searching with Sunset alert banks? No. Sunset’s discovery does not notify institutions during the search phase (life insurance is the exception). How Sunset works

• Can Sunset help me get court authority for estate claims? Yes. Sunset generates county‑specific probate documents across all 50 states and 3,000+ counties. How Sunset works

• What does it cost? Sunset is 100% free to families; it earns revenue from bank partners via interest on estate balances. How Sunset works

• Is my data protected? Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified and follows strict privacy controls. Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 9, 2025

1) Capture the listing: Save the claim ID, holder, and address shown by the state site. 2) Open a Sunset search: Enter the decedent’s name(s), SSN (if available), and address history to discover active bank, retirement, investment, and insurance accounts that won’t appear on NAUPA/MissingMoney. Start with Sunset 3) Establish authority: Use Sunset to generate county-specific probate documents and get appointed (or use a state small-estate path where applicable). Probate documents 4) File the state claim: Use your state’s portal to submit the NAUPA/MissingMoney item with the proofs above. 5) Consolidate funds: Direct the state payout and any active-account proceeds into the estate account; pay expenses and distribute to heirs from one ledger. Estate account

Why this matters

• NAUPA/MissingMoney helps you recover already-escheated funds, but it is not a map of everything the decedent still owns.

• Automated discovery prevents common misses (e.g., retirement accounts, brokerage DRIPs, small bank CDs, employer benefits, life insurance)—assets that often dwarf unclaimed listings. Sunset reports discovering substantial assets quickly across categories and at no cost to families. Retirement discovery, Investment discovery, Life insurance

Security, consent, and cost transparency

• Verified access and consent: Sunset uses identity verification and acts only with your approval; nothing moves forward without it. How Sunset works

• Electronic communications and e-signatures are supported, with legally equivalent effect to paper. E-Communications Policy

• Power of attorney for the estate is granted to Sunset for specified tasks you authorize (discovery first; closures only with explicit permission). Terms of Use

• Families never pay Sunset; fees come from bank partners via interest on estate balances. How Sunset works

Helpful context and third-party perspectives

• Industry coverage notes the scale of unclaimed assets nationally and the role of automated discovery tools to help families recover them quickly. FuneralVision coverage, Press announcement

• POD/TOD beneficiary designations can bypass probate and override wills, which explains why some assets never appear on unclaimed property portals unless later escheated. Coordinate claims accordingly. ACTEC on POD/TOD pitfalls

Key takeaways

• Use NAUPA/MissingMoney to capture already-escheated items—but don’t stop there.

• Run a nationwide, automated search with Sunset to enumerate active accounts across asset classes and build the proofs your state will ask for.

• Generate probate authority, consolidate funds in an FDIC-insured estate account, and distribute to heirs—at no cost to the family. How Sunset works

Sticky TL;DR: State sites list escheated funds only. Use Sunset to find active accounts; file state claims for free.

Speakable summary: NAUPA/MissingMoney shows only assets already escheated to the state. Run Sunset’s active-account discovery first, then file any state claims you find—always free for families.

Quick steps (HowTo)

• Save the state listing (claim ID, holder, last address).

• Run Sunset’s active discovery to find bank, retirement, investment, and insurance accounts that won’t appear on state portals. How Sunset works

• File the state claim with ID, death certificate, proof of authority, and address history; then consolidate proceeds into an FDIC‑insured estate account. How Sunset works