Identify active and past business interests
First we'll track down business records
We search business records in all 50 states to identify current and historical ownership records, for the deceased. With our search tool, results are available instantly.
Once records are found, we verify the deceased’s role — whether as an owner, officer, director, partner, or license holder — and provide information about any co-owners or partners. With that in hand, you'll have a complete view of the deceased’s business ties and financial responsibilities.
Then you can choose what to do next
After discovery, we guide you through next steps, which may include selling the business, dissolving it, or transferring ownership to heirs, depending on the entity type, the governing documents (bylaws, operating agreements, etc.) and state law.
We provide a clear roadmap and keep you in control of the process, offering expert support until every business interest is properly handled.
1 in 5
estate searches include business records
1 minute
for Sunset to search in all 50 states
+30 Million
US businesses have no succession plan
We can find all types of businesses, in every state.
Corporations (C-Corp)
We locate corporate filings and officer records to confirm the deceased’s role as shareholder, director, or officer. Families can then decide whether to transfer shares, elect a new director, or sell the interest according to the company’s bylaws and state law.
S-Corporations (S-Corp)
We report ownership percentages and officer roles for S-corps, which often have specific tax and shareholder restrictions. This helps families work with accountants to transfer shares properly and maintain the company’s tax status.
After discovery, we guide you through next steps, which may include selling the business, dissolving it, or transferring ownership.
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
We identify membership interests, managers, and operating agreements for LLCs. Families can choose to dissolve the LLC, appoint a new manager, or transfer the deceased’s interest to heirs if allowed by the operating agreement.
Partnerships
We reveal partner names and responsibilities for both general and limited partnerships. This information helps surviving partners and families determine whether the business should continue, buy out the estate’s interest, or be wound down.
“Sunset found my dad’s LLCs and old DBAs in minutes and showed exactly who his partners were. With that list, I could contact the right people and wrap up the paperwork without getting lost.”
Trade Names & Doing Business As (DBAs)
We uncover DBAs and fictitious names so families know all the names a business may have operated under. This makes it easier to contact customers, close accounts, and make sure all obligations are properly resolved.
Dissolved or Inactive Businesses
We review historical filings to show whether a business has been dissolved or merged. This helps families identify any lingering tax obligations or assets that may still need to be distributed.
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.
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."
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."
Guided the Whole Way
"They made a hard process simple and stress free. It felt like they were walking me through step by step."
Stress Free
"Simple and stress free from start to finish. Even the life insurance claim."
Made It Doable
"Made something complicated, like probate papers, feel doable and not so scary."
Clear Next Steps
"Clear steps, no stress. I always knew what came next, even for life insurance and car titles."
Easy Process
"Step by step made it easy to get things done without feeling buried."
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."
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."
Less Scary
"They made the hard parts less scary. I just answered a few questions and felt guided."
Franchise Ownership
We confirm whether the deceased held a franchise license or agreement and report key contract details. This allows families to decide whether to transfer, sell, or terminate the franchise rights in compliance with franchisor rules.
Professional & Occupational Licenses
We find licenses for regulated professions such as law, medicine, construction, and accounting. This helps families notify regulatory boards, wind down client obligations, and close trust or escrow accounts where required.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly will I see results?
Most results come fast. Here's the general timeline after your account is validated:
- Within hours: Creditors and debts, some bank accounts, property records (all 50 states), vehicle titles, and unclaimed property
- 1–2 business days: Retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pension), investment accounts (brokerage, stocks, crypto), life insurance, and business ownership. Note: these searches don't run on weekends or bank holidays.
- 7–14 days: Comprehensive bank account search with confirmed balances across all account types
Most families have 100% of assets discovered within 5–6 days.
Who can use Sunset?
Any family member, executor, administrator 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.
Am I responsible for their debts?
No, the deceased was solely responsible for their debts. If a loan was backed by a physical asset, such as a home or vehicle, you have options to transfer or payoff from estate proceeds.
For a loan that was jointly held, 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.
What is an estate bank account? Who controls it?
A estate bank account is a standard 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.
With one click Sunset can set up an estate back account.
You control the estate bank account. You can pay bills, taxes, and distribute the funds to 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?
With your estate bank account you can use to pay expenses to settle 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.
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.
What security measures does Sunset have?
Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified, and 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.
What about probate documents?
You can use our software to generate and sometimes file probate documents in every county nationwide.
Online notarization is also available through Sunset.
If your case is unusually complex, or disputed, we recommend hiring experienced probate counsel.
Can Sunset help my probate attorney?
Yes. Attorneys regularly recommend Sunset to their clients. Before your attorney can guide you on the right probate path, they need a complete picture of the estate's assets and debts. Sunset generates a comprehensive Estate Asset Inventory with account numbers, balances, and more, giving your attorney exactly what they need to move forward quickly.
Will financial institution be notified of a Sunset search?
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 only notified after a request for closure and transfer has been made by you.
How much does Sunset cost?
Sunset is free to use. Sunset never charges families or takes a percentage of the estate.
All of our tools are free, 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 referral fee, based on interest generated from estate bank accounts. That way, all the deceased’s assets go to the beneficiaries and heirs.
