Overview
Once your documents are verified, Sunset begins a comprehensive search across thousands of financial institutions, insurance companies, and government agencies to locate accounts and assets belonging to the deceased. This process runs in multiple stages and can take several weeks to complete as we systematically query databases, follow up on leads, and verify ownership of discovered accounts.
How the Search Process Works
The account search happens in phases:
Document Verification: We review your uploaded death certificate and verify you're authorized to access account information (typically 1-3 business days)
Initial Database Search: We query national databases for bank accounts, investment accounts, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and unclaimed property (1-2 weeks)
Institution Outreach: When potential accounts are identified, we contact those institutions directly to confirm account existence and obtain details (2-4 weeks, varies by institution response time)
Ongoing Monitoring: We continue monitoring for additional accounts that may surface later, including insurance policies with delayed claim filings or accounts that weren't initially flagged
You'll receive email notifications at key milestones: when verification is complete, when the initial search finishes, when accounts are discovered, and when the search is fully concluded.
Checking Your Search Status
To view the current status of your verification and search process:
Log in to your Sunset account at hellosunset.com
Your verification status will be displayed immediately upon login
You'll see which stages have been completed and what's currently in progress
The status page shows:
Whether your death certificate has been verified
Current search phase (initial search, institution outreach, etc.)
Estimated timeframe for completion
Any action items that need your attention
Checking Status of Discovered Accounts
When Sunset identifies financial accounts, they'll appear in your account. If you've requested that an account be closed and funds transferred to an estate bank account, you can track the closure process:
Log in to your Sunset account
Click on the name of the financial institution (for example, "Chase Bank")
View detailed status information for that specific account closure
The institution-specific page shows:
Date the account was discovered
Account type and approximate value (when available)
Current stage of the closure process
Required documents or information still needed
Expected timeline for fund transfer
Any issues or delays that have arisen
Understanding Status Updates
You'll receive updates throughout the process:
Discovery Phase:
"Verification Complete - Search Starting"
"Initial Search in Progress"
"Reviewing Database Results"
Account Found:
"Account Identified at [Institution Name]"
"Confirming Account Details"
"Account Verified - Awaiting Your Instructions"
Closure Process (after you request closure):
"Claim Submitted to [Institution]"
"Additional Documentation Requested" (if the institution needs more information)
"Claim Approved - Processing Distribution"
"Funds Released by [Institution]"
"Transfer Complete"
Common Questions About Timeline
Why does the search take several weeks?
Financial institutions have varying response times. Banks may respond within days, while insurance companies and retirement accounts can take 4-6 weeks. We're also searching thousands of potential sources, and each requires individual inquiry.
Can I expedite the process?
The timeline is largely determined by how quickly financial institutions respond to our requests. However, having all required documents ready (certified death certificate, proof of authority like letters testamentary) helps avoid delays.
What if I have a deadline?
If you're facing a court deadline, estate closing date, or other time-sensitive matter, reply to any message from Sunset or email [email protected]. We'll prioritize your search and provide a manual status update on progress.
Troubleshooting
No confirmation email after uploading documents:
Check your spam/junk folder for emails from Sunset (we send from @hellosunset.com)
Add [email protected] to your contacts to ensure future emails arrive
Some email providers block messages with links or images - check your email settings
If you still don't see anything after 24 hours, reply to any previous Sunset message or email us directly
Status page hasn't updated:
Log out completely and log back in
Clear your browser cache and cookies
Try accessing from a different device or browser
If no change after 48 hours, the search may still be in early stages - reply to any message for a manual progress check
Previously created an estate account in an older system:
Our platform has been updated with improved search capabilities
You'll need to start a new search in the current system to access the full feature set
Any previous findings will be incorporated into your new search
Contact us if you have questions about transitioning from the old system
Account shows as "Additional Information Needed":
Click on the institution name to see specifically what's required
Common requests include additional identification, proof of executor status, or beneficiary documentation
Upload requested documents using the same process as the death certificate
The closure will resume once the institution receives the additional information
Search completed but I expected more accounts:
Our search is comprehensive but not infallible - some accounts may not appear in searchable databases
Smaller credit unions, regional banks, or very old accounts may require manual research
Review the deceased's mail, email, and financial records for additional clues
Reply to any Sunset message with specific institutions you'd like us to investigate
Need Help?
Reply to any message from Sunset or email [email protected] and we'll provide a personalized update on your search status and answer any questions about the process.