Business Ownership Guide

The Sunset API helps you manage business interests owned by the deceased, including LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships. This guide covers the workflow from discovery through succession or dissolution.

API Path

/cases/{case_id}/businesses
/cases/{case_id}/businesses/{business_id}

Typical Workflow

1. Add business interests

Record each business entity the deceased had an interest in:

curl -X POST "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/businesses" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "entity_type": "llc",
    "business_name": "Doe Family Properties LLC",
    "state_of_formation": "UT",
    "ein": "87-1234567",
    "status": "active",
    "deceased_role": "sole_owner",
    "ownership_percentage": 100.0,
    "estimated_value": 450000.00,
    "has_operating_agreement": true,
    "has_buy_sell_agreement": false,
    "registered_agent": "Utah Registered Agents Inc.",
    "annual_revenue": 72000.00,
    "employees": 0
  }'

2. Record co-owners and succession plan

For multi-owner businesses:

curl -X POST "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/businesses" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "entity_type": "s_corp",
    "business_name": "Johnson & Johnson Consulting Inc.",
    "state_of_formation": "UT",
    "status": "active",
    "deceased_role": "partner",
    "ownership_percentage": 50.0,
    "co_owners": [
      {
        "name": "John Johnson",
        "role": "partner",
        "ownership_percentage": 50.0
      }
    ],
    "has_buy_sell_agreement": true,
    "succession_plan": "continue_with_partners",
    "notes": "Buy-sell agreement provides for surviving partner to purchase at appraised value"
  }'

3. Record professional licenses

If the business involves professional licensing:

curl -X PATCH "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/businesses/{business_id}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "professional_licenses": [
      {
        "license_type": "Real Estate Broker",
        "license_number": "RB-2019-5678",
        "issuing_state": "UT",
        "expiration_date": "2026-06-30",
        "status": "active"
      }
    ]
  }'

4. Resolve the business

curl -X PATCH "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/businesses/{business_id}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "succession_plan": "dissolve",
    "status": "dissolved",
    "notes": "LLC dissolved with Utah Division of Corporations. Assets distributed to estate."
  }'

Entity Types

Type	Description
`c_corp`	C Corporation
`s_corp`	S Corporation
`llc`	Limited Liability Company
`general_partnership`	General partnership
`limited_partnership`	Limited partnership
`sole_proprietorship`	Sole proprietorship
`dba_trade_name`	DBA / Trade name
`franchise`	Franchise
`professional_license`	Licensed professional practice
`nonprofit`	Nonprofit organization

Succession Plans

Plan	Description
`sell`	Sell the business interest
`transfer_to_heir`	Transfer to a beneficiary
`dissolve`	Wind down and dissolve
`continue_with_partners`	Surviving partners continue
`pending_decision`	Not yet decided

Deceased Roles

Role	Description
`sole_owner`	100% owner
`majority_owner`	>50% ownership
`minority_owner`	<50% ownership
`partner`	General or limited partner
`officer`	Corporate officer
`director`	Board member
`shareholder`	Stock holder
`member`	LLC member
`manager`	LLC manager
`license_holder`	Professional license holder

Key Considerations

Operating agreements and bylaws dictate what happens to ownership upon a member’s death. Review these first.
Buy-sell agreements may require the business or surviving partners to purchase the deceased’s interest at a predetermined price or formula.
Sole proprietorships have no separate legal existence. Assets and liabilities become part of the estate directly.
Professional licenses are non-transferable. A practice built on personal licensure may lose significant value.
EIN and state registrations may need to be updated or cancelled depending on the succession plan.
Business debts may create personal liability depending on the entity type and any personal guarantees.
Valuation of business interests often requires a professional appraiser, especially for closely-held companies.

Getting Started

Guides

Business Ownership Guide

Business Ownership Guide

API Path

Typical Workflow

1. Add business interests

2. Record co-owners and succession plan

3. Record professional licenses

4. Resolve the business

Entity Types

Succession Plans

Deceased Roles

Key Considerations

​Business Ownership Guide

​API Path

​Typical Workflow

​1. Add business interests

​2. Record co-owners and succession plan

​3. Record professional licenses

​4. Resolve the business

​Entity Types

​Succession Plans

​Deceased Roles

​Key Considerations

Business Ownership Guide

API Path

Typical Workflow

1. Add business interests

2. Record co-owners and succession plan

3. Record professional licenses

4. Resolve the business

Entity Types

Succession Plans

Deceased Roles

Key Considerations