> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://api.hellosunset.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Bank Accounts Guide

> Guide to managing bank accounts, transactions, and related resources.

# 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.

## 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
```

## Typical Workflow

### 1. Add discovered bank accounts

As accounts are discovered through searches or document review, add them to the case:

```bash theme={null}
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
  }'
```

### 2. Record account signers

Track who is on the account:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST ".../bank-accounts/{account_id}/signers" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "John Jonas Johnson",
    "role": "primary_holder",
    "is_deceased": true
  }'
```

### 3. Check for beneficiary designations

Accounts with POD/TOD designations pass directly to named beneficiaries and typically avoid probate:

```bash theme={null}
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
  }'
```

### 4. Track recurring payments

Identify and manage recurring payments that need to be cancelled or transferred:

```bash theme={null}
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"
  }'
```

### 5. Record transactions

Track important transactions, especially estate-related ones:

```bash theme={null}
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"
  }'
```

### 6. Upload bank statements

Upload monthly statements for record-keeping:

```bash theme={null}
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"
```

## Account Types

| Type             | Description                     |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------- |
| `checking`       | Standard checking account       |
| `savings`        | Savings account                 |
| `cd`             | Certificate of Deposit          |
| `money_market`   | Money market account            |
| `hsa`            | Health Savings Account          |
| `trust_account`  | Account held in a trust         |
| `estate_account` | Account opened for the estate   |
| `joint_account`  | Joint account with survivorship |

## Ownership Types

| Type                    | Description                              |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| `individual`            | Sole ownership by the deceased           |
| `joint_tenants_wros`    | Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship |
| `tenants_in_common`     | Tenants in Common (no survivorship)      |
| `pod_payable_on_death`  | Payable on Death designation             |
| `tod_transfer_on_death` | Transfer on Death designation            |
| `trust`                 | Held in a trust                          |
| `estate`                | Estate account                           |

## Flagging Transactions

Flag transactions for review during the estate settlement process:

```bash theme={null}
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"
  }'
```