account Discovery
A simple & secure inheritance process
Let us find accounts for you
We search every major US bank, including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc. We also uncover accounts at local banks and credit unions.
We’ll get you bank account numbers, balance, and account status for every type of bank account without notifying the bank of the death.
Close and transfer if you want
You can use the results to close accounts on your own, or use our software to help you transfer the funds into an estate bank account to pay bills and taxes, and ultimately distribute to the heirs.
$1
billion in unclaimed bank accounts
96%
of estates have unclaimed assets
$0
Sunset is 100% free to use
Let's find every bank account
Checking Accounts
Banks often restrict or freeze a checking account after notification of a death, which can cause checks to bounce and autopay expenses like utilities to go unpaid. We can transfer checking account balances from the bank into an account controlled by you.
Savings Accounts
Like checking accounts, banks typically freeze savings accounts once they receive notice of a death. We can work with the bank to release the funds and transfer them into the estate bank account managed by the user.
Banks often restrict or freeze accounts after a death.
Money Market Accounts
Money market accounts often include check-writing privileges, which are canceled immediately after a death. We identify and verifies these accounts, then can coordinate with the bank to transfer balances into the estate bank account if you request.
Certificate of Deposit (CD)
Banks can penalize account holders for early withdrawal of a CD without the proper paperwork verifying the death and probate. We can retrieve the CD balance and transfer it into the user account, ensuring beneficiaries receive the funds without penalty and without needing to wait for the CD term to end.
“Sunset found all my dad’s bank accounts fast. They helped close them and move the money so we didn’t have to deal with the bank.”
Business Accounts
Business accounts typically remain active and undisturbed if the business is ongoing, however banks may sometimes restrict or shutter an account if they believe the death of the business owner creates risk. Bylaws, Articles, Operating Agreements and other corporate documentation will dictate how ownership is handled after a death.
Foreign Currency Accounts
These accounts are handled like standard bank accounts, with balances converted and distributed to the estate or beneficiaries. Exchange rate considerations and international banking rules may affect timing of transfers.
Safe Deposit Box
Banks often restrict access to a safe deposit box after a death. We help identify safe deposit boxes linked to the deceased, verifies rental records with the bank, and assist with the legal steps to gain access.
Stress Free
"Simple and stress free from start to finish. Even the life insurance claim."
Easy Process
"Step by step made it easy to get things done without feeling buried."
Surprising Finds
"I found all of my grandma’s accounts in just a couple days, including one we didn’t even know about. I cried when I realized how much work it was going to take, but Sunset made it quick and easy."
Felt Cared For
"I felt cared for the whole way. Even when we had to handle my dad’s small business account."
Made It Doable
"Made something complicated, like probate papers, feel doable and not so scary."
Less Scary
"They made the hard parts less scary. I just answered a few questions and felt guided."
Clear Next Steps
"Clear steps, no stress. I always knew what came next, even for life insurance and car titles."
Felt Protected
"I felt safe the whole time. They kept an eye on things for fraud so I could focus on selling the house and being with my kids."
Guided the Whole Way
"They made a hard process simple and stress free. It felt like they were walking me through step by step."
Peace of Mind
"Nothing happened unless I said so. Knowing my dad’s retirement money was safe until I was ready gave me peace of mind."
Step by Step
"I did things when I had time. First the bank account, then the car title a few weeks later. It felt manageable."
Revocable Trust Accounts
Revocable trusts (also called living trusts) remain under the control of the deceased during their lifetime. After death, the trust automatically becomes irrevocable, and banks will require successor trustee documentation before allowing access to accounts, otherwise they may be frozen. We can automate the bank verification process in transfer funds according to the trust’s terms.
Irrevocable Trust Accounts
Irrevocable trusts cannot be altered once created, and funds are already outside the deceased’s estate. After death, banks typically require proof of trustee authority to continue managing or distributing assets. We automatically verify accounts, confirm trustee authority, and ensure assets are managed or transferred per trust documents, providing families clarity and confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Who can use Sunset?
Any family member, executor, or personal representative responsible for managing a deceased person’s assets can use our software tool. We support asset search and probate in all 50 states and every county in the U.S.
If someone else has been appointed by court or will, to manage the probate process, we’ll need a waiver from them. We can generate that waiver and automatically send for signatures if requested.
Will the financial institutions be notified when Sunset searches for the assets?
No, we do not notify any financial institutions of the death when performing our searches, except for in the case of life insurance.
Our process combines document review, data integrations, and indirect verification with financial institutions. Families usually discover most accounts within 1 day, although some bank account confirmations take up to two weeks.
Financial institutions are notified after a request for closure and transfer has been made by you.
Am I responsible for their debts?
No in most cases. If the deceased was solely responsible for the debt and it was not backed by a physical asset, such as a home or vehicle, it can often get charged off entirely.
If it was a joint credit card or loan, the responsibility remains with the other person on the account, often a spouse. Sunset automatically identifies if a debt has a living responsible party, and clearly flags it.
Do I need a lawyer if I use Sunset? What about probate documents?
In most cases, no. 98% of estates don’t require a probate lawyer. You can use our software to generate and sometimes file probate documents in every county nationwide, often avoiding legal fees altogether.
We generate county-specific probate forms, provide quick online notarization, and guide you through any assisted filings if required.
If your case is unusually complex, our team can guide you through the steps and connect you with additional resources if needed.
What is an estate bank account? Who controls it?
It’s a special bank account in the estate’s name where all funds are consolidated. You can use it to pay expenses, view a full transaction history, and eventually distribute inheritance to beneficiaries.
After set up, you control the estate bank account. We simply help you set it up and keep your records organized. You can pay bills, taxes, and finally distribute the funds to the heirs.
All estate bank accounts set up by Sunset are FDIC insured and protected from fraud and identity theft.
How can I pay estate expenses?
Your estate bank account gives you access to both physical and virtual debit cards you can use to pay expenses related to settling your loved ones affairs. You can also reimburse yourself for expenses you may have paid out of pocket before the bank account was set up.
Anything that helps you settle your loved one’s affairs is an estate expense. This includes paying for funeral expenses, accountants and attorneys if needed (most families do not need these services when working with us), realtor fees when selling property, money going towards settling debts, money spent fixing up a property before selling it, etc.
How much does Sunset cost?
Nothing. Sunset never charges families or takes a percentage of the estate.
All of our tools are free to use, including search and discovery, probate document generation, asset transfer, and more. No upfront fees, subscriptions, and deductions from the inheritance.
Our bank partners pay us a fee, based on interest generated from estate bank accounts. That way, all the deceased’s assets go to the beneficiaries and heirs.
How does Sunset protect against fraud or identity theft?
We run authentication on both the deceased and the executor to prevent unauthorized access, account fraud, or new accounts being opened in the decedent’s name.
What security measures does Sunset have?
Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified, meaning we hold ourselves to the highest standards in how we build our software and store data so that you’re always protected. We have in depth fraud and identity verification measures on the deceased and the beneficiaries, and we run background checks on all employees.
How long does the process take, and can I move at my own pace?
You’ll locate most assets and liabilities within 1 business day of signup, some bank accounts take up to two weeks to confirm balance.
If you request help to close and transfer an account, we’ll start the process immediately. Some financial institutions are very quick to respond and transfer, unfortunately most are not and the process can take a few weeks.
You stay in control the whole time and nothing ever moves forward without your approval.
