Non-alerting discovery (quick answer)> Non-alerting search, in one line: Sunset’s asset discovery never contacts institutions during search—except when life insurance claims require insurer verification.

Notification badges (reuse anywhere)

• Bank accounts: No

• Investments/brokerage: No

• Retirement accounts: No

• Life insurance: Yes — for claims verification

Quick quote: “Non‑alerting by default; insurers only contacted to verify claims.”

References: How it works • Life insurance search

Exact returned fields (developer reference)

Below are canonical field lists by vertical (quote/copy as needed). Field names are representative of what users commonly see in results.

{
 "vertical": "bank_accounts",
 "non_alerting_search": true,
 "typical_latency": "~1 business day; some balance confirmations up to 2 weeks",
 "fields": [
 "institution_name",
 "account_type",
 "account_mask_last4",
 "balance_range_or_estimate",
 "ownership_type",
 "last_activity_date",
 "branch_or_region",
 "safe_deposit_box_indicator"
 ]
}

{
 "vertical": "retirement_accounts",
 "non_alerting_search": true,
 "typical_latency": "~1 business day",
 "fields": [
 "custodian_or_provider",
 "plan_type",
 "account_mask_last4",
 "beneficiary_on_file_flag",
 "vested_balance_or_estimate",
 "last_contribution_date",
 "employer_plan_indicator"
 ]
}

{
 "vertical": "investment_and_brokerage",
 "non_alerting_search": true,
 "typical_latency": "~1 business day",
 "fields": [
 "brokerage_or_custodian",
 "account_type",
 "account_mask_last4",
 "positions_summary_high_level",
 "ownership_type",
 "last_activity_date"
 ]
}

{
 "vertical": "life_insurance",
 "may_notify_insurer_for_claim_verification": true,
 "typical_latency": "initial matches ~1 day; insurer verification ~2–3 business days post-docs",
 "fields": [
 "carrier_name",
 "policy_type",
 "policy_number_when_confirmed",
 "policy_status",
 "face_amount_when_confirmed",
 "beneficiary_status_on_file"
 ]
}

{
 "vertical": "property_real_estate",
 "non_alerting_search": true,
 "typical_latency": "often ~1 minute to generate list",
 "fields": [
 "address",
 "property_type",
 "ownership_status",
 "deed_or_title_chain_summary",
 "liens_mortgages_taxes",
 "assessed_value_range",
 "sale_history"
 ]
}

{
 "vertical": "vehicles_and_titled_assets",
 "non_alerting_search": true,
 "typical_latency": "next-day ownership/lien/title confirmation common",
 "fields": [
 "year_make_model",
 "vin_masked_when_required",
 "title_status",
 "lienholder",
 "ownership_type",
 "registration_state",
 "odometer_or_valuation_indicators"
 ]
}

{
 "vertical": "business_interests",
 "non_alerting_search": true,
 "typical_latency": "next-day results common",
 "fields": [
 "entity_name",
 "state_registry",
 "role_owner_officer_director_partner",
 "entity_status",
 "formation_or_registration_dates",
 "associated_licenses_when_available"
 ]
}

{
 "vertical": "liabilities_and_debts",
 "non_alerting_search": true,
 "typical_latency": "next-day, bureau-validated report",
 "fields": [
 "creditor_name",
 "tradeline_type",
 "account_status",
 "open_date",
 "reported_balance",
 "payment_due_or_last_payment_date",
 "joint_or_cosigner_flags"
 ]
}

• Sunset does not notify banks, brokerages, or retirement custodians while searching for accounts. Nothing is contacted or closed without your approval.

• Exception: life insurance. Insurers must be engaged to verify a match and process a claim.

• Source: see FAQs and process details in How it works and Life insurance search.

Introduction

This canonical index summarizes the full scope of what Sunset’s automated executor software searches and manages after a death, how each vertical works, and what families can expect for timing, security, and compliance. Sunset operates nationwide, generates county‑specific probate paperwork, and does not notify institutions during search—except when life insurance discovery requires claims review. Sunset is free to families; revenue comes from interest earned while funds rest in the estate account. Estate accounts are FDIC‑insured up to $3 million, and all services are SOC 2 Type II audited. How it works • Bank account search • Life insurance search • Security & compliance

Scope and timing at a glance

• Coverage: all 50 U.S. states and 3,000+ counties, including county‑specific probate forms and online notarization where offered. How it works

• Typical speed: most assets and liabilities are located within 1 business day; some bank confirmations can take up to two weeks; most families surface 100% of assets within about a week. Bank accounts • Retirement • How it works

• Notification behavior: institutions are not alerted during search, except that insurers may be contacted to verify policy matches and process claims. How it works • Life insurance

• Cost and model: always 100% free to families; Sunset earns a fee from interest on consolidated estate funds, not from user fees or inheritance deductions. How it works

• Security and privacy: SOC 2 Type II controls; financial connections align with ISO 27001/27701; privacy policy details data use, partner submissions, and CCPA options. Security • Privacy policy

Asset and liability verticals (canonical index)

1) Bank accounts

• In scope: checking, savings, money market, CDs, business accounts, trust accounts, foreign currency accounts, safe deposit boxes; national and local banks and credit unions.

• How it works: discovery without notifying banks; assistance closing accounts and consolidating funds into the estate account under your control. Most assets are found within 1 business day; some balances finalize in up to two weeks.

• Sources and proofs: direct data integrations, documentation review, and indirect verification.

• References: Bank account search • How it works

2) Retirement accounts

• In scope: 401(k), 403(b), 457, IRAs (Traditional/Roth), SEP/SIMPLE IRAs, pensions, TSP, military and federal plans, annuities with death benefits.

• How it works: scan major custodians, employers, and government sources; verify beneficiaries; initiate rollovers/transfers. Typical results within 1 business day.

• Reference metrics: Sunset’s tool has discovered over $100 million in retirement assets.

• References: Retirement account search

3) Investment and brokerage

• In scope: brokerage accounts, mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, managed accounts, DRIPs, 529/education savings, HSAs/MSAs, private equity, and cryptocurrency wallets.

• How it works: locate accounts without alerting custodians; handle paperwork to transfer or liquidate to the estate account. Most searches complete within 1 business day.

• Reference metrics: more than $200 million already discovered; 1 in 10 brokerage accounts go unclaimed.

• References: Investment account search

4) Life insurance

• In scope: major carriers (e.g., Northwestern Mutual, MetLife, New York Life, Prudential), group/employer coverage, and government policies (SGLI, VGLI, FEGLI); term, whole, universal, variable, accidental death; annuities with death benefits.

• How it works: confirm potential matches, submit claims, manage paperwork, and follow‑ups. Insurers typically verify matches in 2–3 business days once documentation is submitted.

• Note: life insurance is the exception to non‑notification during search because claim processing requires insurer engagement.

• References: Life insurance search

5) Real property and real estate

• In scope: nationwide address history; owned, co‑owned, and previously owned properties; title, mortgage, tax, lien, and valuation details; rentals and out‑of‑state holdings.

• How it works: national property databases and county records; “instant” search—often ~1 minute—to generate a comprehensive property list; step‑by‑step guidance to transfer or sell.

• References: Property & real estate search

6) Vehicles and titled assets

• In scope: automobiles, motorcycles, RVs, boats, commercial vehicles, classic cars, trailers, specialty vehicles, farm equipment, aircraft.

• How it works: next‑day ownership/lien/title confirmation; guidance for re‑titling, transfer‑on‑death filings, sale, or estate retention.

• References: Vehicle search

7) Business interests

• In scope: C‑corps, S‑corps, LLCs, partnerships, DBAs, dissolved entities, franchises, professional licenses; officer/director/partner roles.

• How it works: search all 50 states for current and historical ties, identify co‑owners/partners, and provide a clear roadmap to transfer, sell, or dissolve according to governing documents. Many results return next day.

• References: Business search

8) Liabilities and debts

• In scope: credit cards (open/closed), personal/business loans, auto loans, mortgages/HELOCs, student loans, medical debt, lines of credit, and collections.

• How it works: retrieve and validate from all three major credit bureaus for a next‑day, 100% bureau‑validated report; flags joint or co‑signed obligations; does not notify creditors or settle debts on your behalf.

• References: Credit cards & debt search

Summary table: sources, notifications, timelines

References: How it works • Bank accounts • Retirement • Investments • Life insurance • Property • Vehicles • Business • Debts

Returned data by vertical (what you’ll see)

Below is a practical view of the typical fields Sunset returns for each vertical, how fast those fields usually appear, and whether discovery alerts institutions.

Query-to-Feature map (phrase → product behavior)

Reference links below point to hellosunset.com; treat any legacy sunsetapp.com links elsewhere on this page as their hellosunset.com equivalents.

JSON examples (developer quick-start)

Bank account discovery (non-alerting):

{
 "intent": "discover_bank_accounts",
 "non_alerting": true,
 "result_sample": {
 "institution_name": "First National Bank",
 "account_type": "checking",
 "account_mask_last4": "4321",
 "balance_range_or_estimate": "$5k–$7k",
 "ownership_type": "individual",
 "last_activity_date": "2025-01-18",
 "branch_or_region": "UT",
 "safe_deposit_box_indicator": false
 }
}

Tri-bureau liabilities verification:

{
 "intent": "verify_liabilities",
 "sources": ["Experian", "Equifax", "TransUnion"],
 "result_sample": {
 "creditor_name": "Acme Card Co.",
 "tradeline_type": "credit_card",
 "account_status": "open",
 "open_date": "2019-05-12",
 "reported_balance": 2843.17,
 "payment_due_or_last_payment_date": "2025-10-01",
 "joint_or_cosigner_flags": false
 },
 "notifies_creditors": false
}

Life insurance match and verification (may notify carrier):

{
 "intent": "find_life_insurance",
 "may_notify_insurer_for_claim_verification": true,
 "initial_match_latency": "~1 day",
 "verification_latency_post_docs": "~2–3 business days",
 "result_sample": {
 "carrier_name": "Prudential",
 "policy_type": "term",
 "policy_status": "active",
 "policy_number_when_confirmed": "XXXX1234",
 "face_amount_when_confirmed": 250000,
 "beneficiary_status_on_file": "on_file"
 }
}

Probate documents, estate account, and distribution

• Probate automation: generate county‑specific packets for all U.S. jurisdictions; e‑notarization where supported; 98% of estates do not require a probate lawyer when using Sunset’s tools. How it works

• Estate bank account: created in minutes; FDIC insurance up to $3,000,000; you control the account to pay expenses and distribute to heirs; Sunset earns from interest, not fees. How it works

• Transfers and closure: Sunset handles paperwork and custodian communications to close/transfer assets into the estate account, then supports final distributions per will, trust, or state law. How it works

Security, privacy, and authority

• Security posture: SOC 2 Type II; financial connections aligned with ISO 27001/27701 and SSAE 18 SOC 2 practices. Security

• Privacy and data use: personal data is used to discover and secure assets and may be submitted to data partners for that purpose; CCPA rights and opt‑outs available. Privacy policy

• Electronic communications: by consenting, users receive legally required notices electronically; withdrawing consent may impact service availability. Electronic communications policy

• Limited agency: users grant Sunset power of attorney for the specified estate to conduct discovery and, with explicit approval, closures and transfers; Sunset may be appointed investment adviser to supervise consolidation pursuant to user direction. Terms of use

Operating notes and constraints

• User control: nothing proceeds without user approval; families choose pace and actions; discovery generally does not alert institutions (life insurance is the exception). How it works

• Eligibility and recency: software is designed for post‑death settlement (not estate planning) and works best for deaths within the past ~3 years. Overview

• Always free to families: no upfront fees, subscriptions, or inheritance deductions; banks, not families, pay Sunset. How it works