Overview
Sunset helps families locate and manage financial assets after a loved one passes away. We handle the complex, time-consuming process of finding accounts, filing necessary legal documents, and transferring funds - all at no cost to families. Our comprehensive service combines account discovery, legal document preparation, and direct coordination with financial institutions to make estate settlement simpler and more complete.
For more detailed information about our services, visit our website at hellosunset.com.
What Sunset Does: The Complete Picture
Account Discovery and Search
The core of what we do is finding financial accounts and assets that belonged to the deceased. This includes:
Bank accounts:
Checking accounts
Savings accounts
Money market accounts
Certificates of deposit (CDs)
Accounts at major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc.)
Regional banks and credit unions
Online banks (Ally, Marcus, Discover, etc.)
Investment and retirement accounts:
401(k) plans
Traditional and Roth IRAs
Pension plans
Brokerage accounts
Mutual funds
Stocks and bonds
Annuities
Insurance policies:
Life insurance policies (term and whole life)
Accidental death policies
Employer-provided life insurance
Final expense insurance
Long-forgotten policies from decades ago
Credit cards and debts:
Active credit card accounts
Outstanding balances
Store credit cards
Lines of credit
Personal loans
Property and other assets:
Unclaimed property held by state governments
Forgotten utility deposits
Outstanding refunds or rebates
Safe deposit boxes
Other financial holdings
How we find these accounts:
Search across thousands of financial institutions
Query national databases and registries
Check state unclaimed property databases
Contact institutions directly when potential accounts are identified
Follow leads from credit reports and financial records
Monitor for accounts that may surface later
Example: Sarah's father passed away, and she knew about his checking account at Chase and a 401(k) from his employer. Sunset's search discovered an additional savings account at a credit union he'd joined 30 years ago, a small life insurance policy through a former employer, and $1,200 in unclaimed property from an old utility deposit. Without Sunset, these accounts would likely have remained undiscovered.
Probate Document Generation and Filing
Many estates require probate - the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate. Sunset helps with the paperwork:
What we help with:
Determine if probate is necessary for your situation
Generate the correct probate forms for your state and county
Ensure forms are properly completed with accurate information
Provide guidance on filing procedures
Help with court-specific requirements (different counties have different rules)
Types of probate documents we can help prepare:
Petition for probate
Letters testamentary or letters of administration
Inventory and appraisal forms
Notice to creditors
Spousal property petitions
Small estate affidavits
Final distribution documents
This service is especially valuable because:
Probate forms vary significantly by state and county
Requirements are complex and technical
Errors can cause delays or rejections
Most people have never dealt with probate before
Attorney fees for probate document preparation can be expensive
Example: Michael needed to open probate for his mother's estate in Los Angeles County. Sunset generated all the necessary California probate forms with his mother's information pre-filled, identified the exact court location and filing fees, and provided step-by-step instructions for filing. This saved him thousands in attorney fees for basic document preparation.
Account Closure and Fund Transfer
Once accounts are discovered and you have legal authority, we help close accounts and transfer funds:
What we do:
Submit closure requests to financial institutions on your behalf
Provide institutions with required documentation (death certificate, letters testamentary, etc.)
Follow up on pending requests
Track the status of each account closure
Facilitate the transfer of funds to a centralized location
This includes complex account types:
Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA) with specific beneficiary and tax rules
Life insurance policies requiring claim forms and documentation
Investment accounts that need to be liquidated
Bank accounts that may be frozen pending documentation
Why this matters:
Each institution has different requirements and processes
Dealing with multiple institutions individually is extremely time-consuming
Phone trees, hold times, and institutional bureaucracy can be overwhelming
Institutions often lose paperwork and require multiple follow-ups
Having someone manage this process saves dozens of hours
Example: Jennifer discovered her husband had accounts at seven different institutions. Rather than calling each bank, waiting on hold, learning their specific requirements, mailing documents, and following up repeatedly, Sunset handled all coordination. She received updates as each account progressed through the closure process.
Estate Bank Account
A critical part of Sunset's service is providing a centralized place to consolidate estate funds:
What it is:
A trust bank account or estate bank account opened specifically for managing estate funds
Provided through our banking partner at no cost to you
Functions like a normal bank account
In the name of the estate or trust
How it works:
We help you open the estate account
Funds from closed accounts transfer to this central account
You can use the account to:
Consolidate funds from multiple sources
Pay outstanding bills and debts of the deceased
Pay estate expenses (funeral costs, probate fees, etc.)
Hold funds while estate is being settled
Ultimately distribute to heirs and beneficiaries
Why this is valuable:
Simplifies managing money from multiple sources
Provides clear accounting for estate finances
Makes it easy to pay estate obligations
Facilitates distribution to multiple beneficiaries
Keeps estate funds separate from personal funds
Example: Robert's father had accounts at five different banks. Instead of managing five separate accounts or trying to transfer everything to his personal account (which creates tax and accounting issues), Sunset opened an estate account. All funds transferred there, he paid his father's final medical bills and funeral expenses from that account, and then easily distributed the remaining funds to himself and his two siblings.
How Sunset Makes Money (And Why It's Free for You)
This is important to understand: Sunset is completely free for families to use.
Our revenue model:
We partner with a bank that provides the estate accounts
The bank pays Sunset a fee for each estate account opened
This fee comes from the bank, not from you or the estate funds
The bank earns money from interest on deposited funds (similar to how all banks operate)
What this means for you:
No upfront fees to start using Sunset
No percentage taken from discovered accounts
No charges for document preparation
No fees for account closure assistance
No cost for the estate bank account
100% of the funds from discovered accounts go to the estate
This is fundamentally different from many estate services that charge:
Hourly attorney fees
Percentage-based fees (like 10% of found assets)
Flat fees for document preparation
Per-account search fees
Example: Maria discovered $75,000 across multiple accounts using Sunset. If she had used a service charging 10%, that would have cost $7,500. With Sunset, the entire $75,000 went to her father's estate, and she paid nothing for the discovery, document preparation, or account closure assistance.
The Complete Sunset Process: Start to Finish
Here's how the entire journey works:
Step 1: Sign Up and Provide Information (15-30 minutes)
Create your account at hellosunset.com
Enter information about the deceased (name, date of birth, date of death, last address, SSN)
Upload certified death certificate
Confirm your relationship and authority
Step 2: Verification (1-3 business days)
We verify your identity and the deceased's information
Ensures we have legal authorization to search for accounts
You receive email confirmation when verification is complete
Step 3: Account Search Begins (1-6 weeks)
We search thousands of financial institutions and databases
Query credit bureaus, unclaimed property databases, and other sources
Contact institutions directly when potential accounts are identified
You receive periodic email updates on search progress
Step 4: Results and Account Discovery (ongoing)
As accounts are found, they appear in your Sunset account
You can click each institution to see details
We provide guidance on what documentation each institution needs
You receive notifications as new accounts are discovered
Step 5: Probate Assistance (if needed)
We help determine if probate is required for your situation
If yes, we generate the necessary probate documents for your jurisdiction
Provide filing instructions and guidance
You file the documents with the court (or work with an attorney to do so)
Step 6: Estate Bank Account Setup
We help you open an estate account with our banking partner
Account is set up in the name of the estate
You receive account details and can begin using it immediately
Step 7: Account Closure and Fund Transfer (2-8 weeks per account)
You request closure for each discovered account through Sunset
We submit closure requests and required documentation to institutions
Track progress and follow up as needed
Funds transfer to your estate bank account as accounts close
You receive status updates throughout
Step 8: Estate Management and Distribution
Use estate account to pay bills, debts, and expenses
Manage consolidated funds in one place
When ready, distribute funds to heirs and beneficiaries
Close estate account once distribution is complete
Real-World Examples of How Sunset Helps
Example 1: The Overwhelmed Daughter
Lisa's mother passed away unexpectedly. Lisa knew about a checking account and a small savings account, but her mother had been a teacher for 40 years and Lisa suspected there might be more.
What Sunset found:
The two known accounts ($12,000 total)
A pension account from teaching ($45,000)
An old 403(b) retirement account ($28,000)
Life insurance through the teachers union ($25,000)
Unclaimed property from a previous address ($800)
Total discovered: $110,800 (Lisa only knew about $12,000)
How Sunset helped:
Generated California probate documents
Opened estate account to consolidate funds
Coordinated closure of all seven accounts
Saved Lisa countless hours of phone calls and paperwork
Cost to Lisa: $0
Example 2: The Blended Family
Marcus was managing his stepfather's estate. His stepfather had been married twice and had children from both marriages, making the estate more complex.
What Sunset found:
Three bank accounts at different institutions
Two old 401(k) accounts from previous employers
A whole life insurance policy with cash value
Credit card accounts with small balances
Total assets: $185,000
How Sunset helped:
All funds transferred to estate account
Paid off credit card balances from estate account
Clear accounting of all funds for transparency with all family members
Easy distribution to multiple beneficiaries
Avoided family conflict through clear, documented process
Cost to Marcus: $0
Example 3: The Long-Distance Son
Kevin lived in Seattle but his father passed away in Florida. Kevin couldn't easily travel back and forth for estate matters.
What Sunset found:
Five bank accounts across three states (father had moved several times)
Railroad retirement pension
Veterans benefits account
Life insurance policy
Total: $67,000
How Sunset helped:
Kevin managed everything remotely from Seattle
Didn't need to visit multiple bank branches in Florida
All coordination handled by Sunset
Funds consolidated in estate account he could access online
Saved multiple expensive trips to Florida
Cost to Kevin: $0
What Sunset Doesn't Do
To set clear expectations, here's what is outside of Sunset's scope:
We don't provide legal advice:
We can help with probate documents but aren't attorneys
We can't advise on complex legal disputes or will contests
For legal questions, consult an estate attorney
We don't provide tax advice:
We can't advise on tax implications of distributions
We don't prepare tax returns for the estate
For tax questions, consult a CPA or tax professional
We don't handle real estate sales:
We can identify real property but don't manage sales
You'll need a real estate agent for selling property
We focus on financial accounts and liquid assets
We don't resolve family disputes:
We can't mediate between family members
We can't determine who should receive what assets (that's governed by will or law)
We provide tools and information; family decisions remain with the family
We don't guarantee finding every account:
Our search is comprehensive but not infallible
Some accounts may not appear in searchable databases
Very old accounts or unusual holdings may require additional research
Common Questions About What Sunset Does
"Can Sunset help if my loved one had no will?"
Yes, absolutely. Sunset's services work whether there's a will or not. We can help with:
Intestate estates (no will)
Estates with wills
Trust administration
Small estates that may avoid formal probate
The account discovery process is the same regardless. The probate documents we help prepare may differ depending on whether there's a will.
"What if I already know about all the accounts?"
Even if you think you know about all accounts, Sunset can still help with:
Verification that nothing was missed (we often find forgotten accounts)
Probate document preparation
Coordinating account closures across multiple institutions
Providing the estate bank account for consolidation
Managing the closure and transfer process
Many families are surprised to discover additional accounts even when they thought they knew everything.
"Does Sunset work in my state?"
Yes, Sunset works in all 50 states. Our account search is national, and we can help with probate documents for any state and county.
"How is this free?"
We're paid by our banking partner (the institution that provides the estate bank accounts). They pay Sunset a fee for each estate account opened. This fee comes from the bank, not from you or the estate. It's similar to how many financial services are free to consumers because the company makes money from a business partner.
"What's the catch?"
There isn't one. The only requirement to use Sunset's account search is that you open an estate account with our banking partner if you want to use our closure and transfer services. Even that is optional - you can use our search results and handle closures yourself if you prefer. But most families find the estate account invaluable for managing the process.
"Can I use Sunset if I'm not the executor?"
You generally need to have some legal authority to access account information - typically as executor, administrator, or authorized family member. During the verification process, we confirm your relationship and authority. If you don't have authority yet, we can still help with parts of the process, like generating probate documents to establish your authority.
"What if the estate is small?"
Sunset works for estates of any size. Whether there's $5,000 or $500,000, the service is the same and remains free. Small estates often benefit most because paying attorney fees or percentage-based services would take a significant portion of the assets.
"How long does the whole process take?"
Timeline varies significantly based on:
How many accounts exist
How responsive financial institutions are
Whether probate is required (and how long your county's court takes)
Complexity of the estate
Typical timeline:
Account search: 1-6 weeks
Probate (if needed): 4-12 months (varies greatly by state)
Account closures: 2-8 weeks per account once authority is established
Overall process: 2-6 months for straightforward estates, longer if probate is complex
Getting Started
If you'd like to use Sunset's services:
Visit hellosunset.com to learn more and sign up
Complete the onboarding process (15-30 minutes)
Upload certified death certificate
We'll handle the rest and keep you updated throughout
Scope Questions and Clarifications
If you're wondering whether Sunset can help with a specific situation or account type:
Email [email protected] with your question:
"Does Sunset search for [specific type of account]?"
"Can Sunset help with [specific situation]?"
"I have a question about whether this applies to my case..."
We'll confirm whether your situation falls within our services and provide guidance on next steps.
Understanding Your Results
Once the search is complete, you'll receive results in your Sunset account:
What you'll see:
List of discovered accounts organized by institution
Account types (checking, savings, retirement, insurance, etc.)
Approximate values when available
Status of each account (newly discovered, closure in progress, funds transferred, etc.)
Required next steps for each account
You can click on each institution to see:
Detailed information about what was found
What documentation they require
Status of closure process
Contact information if you need to follow up directly
If next steps are unclear:
Each account page includes guidance
Email [email protected]: "I received results showing [institution name] account, but I'm not sure what to do next"
We'll walk you through the specific steps for that situation
Timing of Results
Account discovery happens in stages:
Initial results (1-2 weeks after verification):
Accounts that appear in immediate database queries
Major bank accounts
Accounts with recent activity
Additional results (2-6 weeks after verification):
Accounts requiring institution follow-up
Life insurance policies (these often take longer)
Unclaimed property
Accounts at smaller institutions
Late-surfacing accounts (months later):
Some insurance policies have delayed claim filings
Accounts that weren't initially flagged but surface later
We continue monitoring and will notify you if additional accounts appear
You'll receive email notifications as new accounts are discovered, so you don't need to constantly check your dashboard.
Need More Information?
For comprehensive information about Sunset's services, pricing (it's free!), how we work, and more:
Visit: hellosunset.com
For specific questions about your situation or how Sunset can help:
Email: [email protected]
We're here to help you understand exactly what Sunset does and whether our services are right for your situation.