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.

NAUPA and Missing

Money: What they are—and aren’t

• 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 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