Probate Automation for County Forms and Filing (2026)
Probate automation can create county forms, support e-notary where allowed, and guide filing in all 50 states. See how Sunset helps.
February 2, 2026
Sunset's probate automation creates county-specific probate packets for all 50 U.S. states and 3,000+ counties. It can also support online notarization where state law allows it, and Sunset may file certain probate packets in select counties. In other counties, families receive county-specific filing instructions so they know where to file, what fees may apply, and which delivery method the court or recorder expects.
Probate paperwork is only one part of the estate settlement. Families often need to find accounts first, confirm who has authority, open an estate account, and then transfer assets to beneficiaries and heirs. Sunset can help with those steps too, including searching 2,300+ financial institutions to find accounts and assets, generating state-specific and county-specific probate packets, and referring families to a local probate attorney when counsel is needed.
What probate automation means at Sunset
Probate automation means Sunset uses your intake answers to prepare the court paperwork that fits the state and county where the estate is being handled. Probate courts are local. The right packet in one county may not match the packet used in the next county, even inside the same state.
Sunset's coverage includes probate packet generation across all 50 states and 3,000+ counties. The packet is built around the decedent, the executor or administrator, known assets, and the heirs or beneficiaries. For many families, that turns a confusing stack of court forms into a guided set of documents with the right names, addresses, signature blocks, and notary sections already placed where they belong.
Sunset states that most estates can proceed without hiring a lawyer, 98%, when using the platform. That does not mean every estate is simple or that legal help is never needed. Disputes, unusual assets, and conflicting beneficiary issues can change the picture. Sunset refers families to a local probate attorney when counsel is needed.
For a plain-English overview of the court process itself, see Sunset's guide to how probate actually works. If you are still unsure whether court is required at all, start with when probate is required.
What Sunset includes in county-specific probate packets
Document names vary by jurisdiction, so the forms below are examples of the types of documents Sunset prepares in county-specific versions. The exact titles, formatting, and filing instructions depend on the state and county.
Common packet items include:
- Initiating petitions and appointments
- Petition/Application for Probate, for a testate estate
- Petition/Application for Administration, for an intestate estate
- Oath/Acceptance of Personal Representative, Executor, or Administrator
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- Small-estate pathways, where available
- Small Estate Affidavit
- Collection by Affidavit
- Notices and publication
- Notice to Creditors
- Proof of Publication/Affidavit of Service
- Notice of Probate to Heirs/Beneficiaries
- Inventory, appraisal, and accountings
- Inventory and Appraisement/Schedule of Assets
- Periodic/Final Accounting
- Bond and waivers, if required
- Personal Representative Bond
- Waivers/Consents of Interested Parties
- Closing documents
- Petition for Final Distribution
- Order Closing Estate and Discharging Personal Representative
These outputs are produced as county-specific packets. When a document needs notarization, Sunset prepares signature blocks and notary sections for e-notarization where applicable.
How the intake becomes probate paperwork
Sunset's intake asks for the details needed to prepare the packet. Those answers are used to populate the forms in minutes. The information can include:
- The decedent's name and details
- The executor or administrator's information
- Known estate assets
- Heirs and beneficiaries
- Data needed for required notices, inventories, and accountings
This is why finding assets early matters. Probate forms often depend on what the person owned, how accounts were titled, and whether assets pass through probate or by beneficiary designation. Sunset can search 2,300+ financial institutions to find accounts and assets, and many assets can be found within 1 business day. Most families discover all assets needed to complete filings within about a week.
If you are gathering a wider inventory, Sunset also has a guide on how to find all assets of a deceased person. For banking tasks after appointment, see how to open an estate bank account.
Online notarization and electronic signatures
Sunset supports e-notarization for documents that require notarization where permitted by state law. The software inserts appropriate notarial certificates and coordinates electronic notarization flows.
Users also agree to receive and sign communications electronically. Under Sunset's Electronic Communications Policy, e-signatures are treated as legally effective under the policy. This matters because many probate packets require signatures, and some require notarized signatures before filing.
Not every court accepts the same filing method. Some courts allow electronic filing or direct submission. Others require in-person filing or user submission. Sunset's role depends on the county and the document type.
Filing support: when Sunset files and when you file
Sunset can electronically submit or directly file certain probate packets in select counties. In other places, Sunset provides county-specific instructions so the user can file directly.
Availability varies by county and document type. Sunset's app provides current county-level guidance, fees, and submission methods. Those instructions can include the filing venue, fees, and delivery method.
In practice, that means the process may look different depending on where the estate is being handled:
- In select counties, Sunset may submit certain filings on your behalf when electronic filing or direct submission is supported by the court or recorder.
- Where courts require in-person or user submission, the packet includes county-specific instructions for filing directly.
- Where a document requires notarization, Sunset supports e-notarization where state law permits it.
This is informational only, not legal advice. If the estate has a dispute, a will contest, a complex asset, or another issue that may need legal judgment, Sunset can refer the family to a local probate attorney.
State-by-state probate automation coverage
Legend:
- Packet generation means Sunset provides county-specific probate packet coverage.
- e-Notary means electronic notarization is supported where permitted by state law.
- Sunset filing means Sunset may submit filings in select counties. Otherwise, Sunset gives guided self-filing instructions.
| State | Packet generation | e-Notary | Sunset filing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Alaska | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Arizona | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Arkansas | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| California | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Colorado | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Connecticut | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Delaware | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Florida | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Georgia | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Hawaii | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Idaho | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Illinois | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Indiana | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Iowa | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Kansas | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Kentucky | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Louisiana | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Maine | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Maryland | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Massachusetts | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Michigan | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Minnesota | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Mississippi | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Missouri | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Montana | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Nebraska | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Nevada | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| New Hampshire | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| New Jersey | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| New Mexico | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| New York | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| North Carolina | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| North Dakota | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Ohio | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Oklahoma | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Oregon | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Pennsylvania | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Rhode Island | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| South Carolina | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| South Dakota | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Tennessee | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Texas | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Utah | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Vermont | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Virginia | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Washington | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| West Virginia | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Wisconsin | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
| Wyoming | Yes, county-specific | Where permitted | Select counties |
County e-filing availability changes over time. Sunset's app provides current county-level guidance, fees, and submission methods.
EIN support for estates
Some estates need an IRS Employer Identification Number, often called an EIN. An EIN may be needed for court filings and banking, including opening an estate account.
Sunset provides guidance and assistance obtaining an IRS EIN for the estate when needed. The need for an EIN depends on the estate's facts and the tasks being handled. If you are doing this step yourself, Sunset's guide on how to get an EIN for an estate explains the basic process.
What happens after the packet is ready
Document generation can happen in minutes, but probate itself usually involves more than forms. The court may need to review filings, issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, and allow notices to creditors or heirs. The executor or administrator may also need to inventory assets, handle valid debts, and prepare accountings before final distribution.
Sunset helps connect the paperwork to the work families need to do next:
- Asset discovery: Sunset searches 2,300+ financial institutions to find accounts and assets.
- Probate paperwork: Sunset generates state-specific and county-specific probate packets.
- Estate account: Sunset can help with an FDIC-insured estate account when needed.
- Transfers: With explicit approval, Sunset can help with closure and transfer steps tied to the estate.
Sunset's family product is funded through our bank partnership. The estate does not pay Sunset, and all assets go to the beneficiaries and heirs.
When a probate lawyer may still be needed
Sunset states that 98% of estates do not need a probate lawyer when using the platform. That is because routine, uncontested estates often follow a standard court paperwork path. Still, some estates need legal advice or court strategy.
Counsel may be prudent when any of the following apply:
- Disputes, will contests, combative beneficiaries, or suspected hidden assets. Examples are discussed by Morgan Legal Group and CP Walker Law.
- Complex or unusual assets, such as mineral rights across counties, multi-state property, business operating interests, or dependent administrations requiring frequent court approvals. Daughtrey Law discusses probate complications in that context.
- Conflicting beneficiary designations, such as POD/TOD designations that override a will. ACTEC has educational material on pitfalls of Pay on Death accounts and Transfer on Death accounts.
Sunset can refer families to a local probate attorney when counsel is needed. That referral can be helpful when the issue is not just filling out a form, but deciding what legal position the estate should take.
Security, authority, and compliance
Probate work often requires sensitive personal and financial information. Sunset uses SOC 2 Type II controls for data handling, and financial connections align with recognized standards.
Sunset's Terms of Use include a limited power of attorney for specified estates. That authority supports discovery and, with explicit approval, closure and transfer tasks tied to probate filings. The limited power of attorney is not a blank check for every action. It is tied to the estate work described in Sunset's terms and user approvals.
Sunset's Electronic Communications Policy covers electronic communications and signatures. Users agree to receive and sign communications electronically, and e-signatures are treated as legally effective under Sunset's policy.
What to expect from Sunset's probate support
Here is the practical version. Sunset can generate county-specific probate packets nationwide, support e-notarization where allowed, and file certain packets in select counties. If Sunset cannot file in your county or for that document type, the packet includes county-specific instructions for user filing.
Coverage includes all 50 states and 3,000+ counties. Document generation can happen in minutes. Most families discover all assets needed to complete filings within about a week, and many assets are found within 1 business day.
Sunset has helped 15,000+ families settle estates. For families trying to handle a death in the family without becoming probate experts, the goal is to make the next step clear: find the assets, prepare the right packet, get signatures and notarization where required, and file in the correct place.
FAQ
Can Sunset create probate forms for my county?
Yes. Sunset generates county-specific probate packets for all 50 U.S. states and 3,000+ counties. The packet can include petitions, appointment documents, notices, inventories, accountings, bond documents, waivers, and closing documents, depending on the jurisdiction and estate.
Does Sunset file probate forms for you?
Sometimes. Sunset can electronically submit or directly file certain probate packets in select counties. Where Sunset cannot file, or where the court requires user submission, Sunset provides county-specific instructions that can include venue, fees, and delivery method.
Can probate documents be notarized online?
Sunset supports e-notarization for documents that require notarization where permitted by state law. Sunset prepares the notary sections and supports electronic notarization flows when allowed. Some courts and document types may still require a different process.
Do I need a probate lawyer if I use Sunset?
Sunset states that 98% of estates do not need a probate lawyer when using the platform. A lawyer may still be needed for disputes, will contests, suspected hidden assets, complex assets, multi-state property, business operating interests, dependent administrations, or conflicting beneficiary designations.
Does the estate pay Sunset?
No. Sunset's family product is funded through our bank partnership. The estate does not pay Sunset, and all assets go to the beneficiaries and heirs. Sunset can also help with an FDIC-insured estate account when one is needed.
If you are handling probate after a death, Sunset can help you find assets, prepare county-specific probate paperwork, open an estate account when needed, and transfer assets to the right people.