account Discovery

Find brokerage accounts, stocks, bonds, and more
Start with a quick search
We begin by searching custodians, transfer agents, and fund managers without notifying them of the death.
We look for brokerage accounts, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, and direct stock holdings across major custodians and brokers, including firms like Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, and Merrill Lynch, etc. to make sure no portfolio is left behind.
Then you can request financial transfers
If you want, we can work directly with brokerage firms to transfer or liquidate assets. Whether re-registering investments into the estate’s name or moving them into an estate bank account, we handle the paperwork and compliance requirements. We'll give you updates at every stage until assets are secured.
Most results are available one business day after a search is started.
1 in 10
brokerage accounts go unclaimed
1 day
Sunset can find investment accounts
>$200 Million
already discovered by Sunset
Let's find every account
Brokerage Accounts
We locate these accounts at all US brokers such as Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Robinhood, or TD Ameritrade, verify ownership, and work with the custodian to re-register or liquidate the assets so they can be transferred into the estate bank account.
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are pooled investments managed by professionals and may be held directly with fund companies such as Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, or American Funds. We confirm account details, prepare the required transfer paperwork, and coordinate with the fund company to release or retitle the shares to the you or listed beneficiaries.
Once accounts are located, we can confirm ownership with custodians, brokers, and estate records if you request.
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
ETFs trade like stocks but hold a basket of securities. We identify any ETF holdings, confirm custodian records, and work with the brokerage or plan administrator to transfer or liquidate the shares so they are available to you.
Individual Stocks & Bonds
Direct ownership of stocks or bonds may be recorded with brokers, transfer agents, or even as paper certificates. We track down these holdings, verify title, and arrange re-registration or sale so you can receive the value without delay.
“After losing my husband, I was overwhelmed trying to track down all his investments scattered across different brokers. Sunset gave me confidence that nothing would be left behind and handled the complex transfer process professionally.”
Index Funds
Index funds are mutual funds or ETFs designed to track a market index such as the S&P 500. We locate these accounts, confirm beneficiary or estate ownership, and handle the transfer or redemption process.
Managed Accounts / Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs)
These accounts are actively managed by a financial advisor or firm. We contact the advisor or firm to confirm account ownership, assist with any compliance requirements, and coordinate re-registration or liquidation based on estate instructions.
529 Plans & Education Savings Accounts
These education-focused accounts are tax-advantaged and require careful handling to preserve their status. We verify ownership, confirm successor designations, and help retitle or transfer the account in compliance with plan rules.
Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs)
DRIPs are accounts that automatically reinvest dividends into additional shares, often set up with transfer agents. We identify these accounts, confirm share balances, and submit the required forms to transfer ownership or issue the shares to the estate.
Private Equity & Alternative Investments
Investments in hedge funds, private equity, or venture capital funds require specialized handling. We gather subscription documents, verify capital accounts, and work with fund administrators to complete the transfer process or coordinate distribution of proceeds.
We gather subscription documents, verify capital accounts, and work with fund administrators to complete the transfer process or coordinate distribution of proceeds.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts tied to high-deductible health plans. We confirm the custodian, verify remaining balances, and submit documentation to transfer funds to the estate bank account, or the listed beneficiary.
Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSA)
Though less common today, MSAs still hold funds that must be distributed properly. We verify custodial records and arrange for transfer or payout to beneficiaries or the estate.
Cryptocurrency Accounts
We can identify wallets stored on major platforms such as Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken for assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. We confirm balances, guide families through exchange-specific transfer processes, and help secure the assets. Private wallets held offline require the family to provide keys or credentials before we can assist with recovery or transfer.
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.
