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Bank Accounts Guide

The Sunset API provides comprehensive bank account management for estate cases. This guide covers the typical workflows for managing deceased bank accounts during estate settlement.

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Resource Hierarchy

Bank accounts are nested under cases and have several sub-resources: 
/cases/{case_id}/bank-accounts/{account_id}
  /signers          - Account holders and authorized signers
  /transactions     - Transaction history
  /recurring-payments - Autopay, subscriptions, direct deposits
  /beneficiaries    - POD/TOD beneficiary designations
  /statements       - Bank statement uploads
  /balance-history  - Historical balance snapshots

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Typical Workflow

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1. Add discovered bank accounts

As accounts are discovered through searches or document review, add them to the case: 
curl -X POST "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/bank-accounts" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "institution_name": "Chase Bank",
    "account_type": "checking",
    "account_number": "123456789",
    "ownership_type": "individual",
    "status": "open",
    "current_balance": 15230.50
  }'

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2. Record account signers

Track who is on the account: 
curl -X POST ".../bank-accounts/{account_id}/signers" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "John Jonas Johnson",
    "role": "primary_holder",
    "is_deceased": true
  }'

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3. Check for beneficiary designations

Accounts with POD/TOD designations pass directly to named beneficiaries and typically avoid probate: 
curl -X POST ".../bank-accounts/{account_id}/beneficiaries" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "John Jonas Johnson",
    "relationship": "son",
    "percentage_share": 100.0,
    "designation_type": "pod",
    "is_contingent": false
  }'

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4. Track recurring payments

Identify and manage recurring payments that need to be cancelled or transferred: 
curl -X POST ".../bank-accounts/{account_id}/recurring-payments" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "payee_name": "Springfield Electric Co.",
    "type": "utility",
    "amount": 150.00,
    "frequency": "monthly",
    "status": "active"
  }'

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5. Record transactions

Track important transactions, especially estate-related ones: 
curl -X POST ".../bank-accounts/{account_id}/transactions" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "date": "2025-10-15",
    "type": "estate_distribution",
    "amount": -25000.00,
    "description": "Distribution to beneficiary - John Johnson",
    "category": "beneficiary_distribution"
  }'

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6. Upload bank statements

Upload monthly statements for record-keeping: 
curl -X POST ".../bank-accounts/{account_id}/statements" \
  -F "file=@statement_oct_2025.pdf" \
  -F "period_start=2025-10-01" \
  -F "period_end=2025-10-31" \
  -F "opening_balance=15230.50" \
  -F "closing_balance=12450.00"

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Account Types

TypeDescription
checkingStandard checking account
savingsSavings account
cdCertificate of Deposit
money_marketMoney market account
hsaHealth Savings Account
trust_accountAccount held in a trust
estate_accountAccount opened for the estate
joint_accountJoint account with survivorship

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Ownership Types

TypeDescription
individualSole ownership by the deceased
joint_tenants_wrosJoint Tenants with Right of Survivorship
tenants_in_commonTenants in Common (no survivorship)
pod_payable_on_deathPayable on Death designation
tod_transfer_on_deathTransfer on Death designation
trustHeld in a trust
estateEstate account

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Flagging Transactions

Flag transactions for review during the estate settlement process: 
curl -X PATCH ".../transactions/{transaction_id}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "is_flagged": true,
    "flag_reason": "estate_related",
    "notes": "Large withdrawal 2 weeks before death - needs review"
  }'