Asset Discovery
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 next day.
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.
Felt Cared For
"I felt cared for the whole way. Even when we had to handle my dad’s small business account."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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
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.
