Investment Accounts Guide

The Sunset API helps you manage investment accounts including brokerage accounts, mutual funds, stocks, and cryptocurrency. This guide covers the workflow from discovery through transfer or liquidation.

API Path

/cases/{case_id}/investment-accounts
/cases/{case_id}/investment-accounts/{account_id}

Typical Workflow

1. Add discovered accounts with holdings

Record investment accounts with their individual holdings:

curl -X POST "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/investment-accounts" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "account_type": "brokerage",
    "custodian_name": "Charles Schwab",
    "account_number": "8765-4321",
    "status": "active",
    "balance": 92500.00,
    "date_of_death_value": 89750.00,
    "holdings": [
      {
        "symbol": "AAPL",
        "name": "Apple Inc.",
        "quantity": 100,
        "market_value": 17500.00,
        "cost_basis": 12000.00,
        "asset_class": "stock"
      },
      {
        "symbol": "VXUS",
        "name": "Vanguard Total Intl Stock ETF",
        "quantity": 500,
        "market_value": 27500.00,
        "cost_basis": 25000.00,
        "asset_class": "etf"
      },
      {
        "symbol": "BTC",
        "name": "Bitcoin",
        "quantity": 0.75,
        "market_value": 47500.00,
        "cost_basis": 30000.00,
        "asset_class": "cryptocurrency"
      }
    ]
  }'

2. Record date-of-death valuation

The date-of-death value establishes the stepped-up cost basis for tax purposes:

curl -X PATCH "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/investment-accounts/{account_id}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "date_of_death_value": 89750.00,
    "notes": "Valuation obtained from Schwab as of 2025-09-15"
  }'

3. Track transfer or liquidation

curl -X PATCH "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/investment-accounts/{account_id}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "transfer_status": "transferred",
    "status": "transferred",
    "notes": "Transferred in-kind to beneficiary account #INH-5678"
  }'

Account Types

Type	Description
`brokerage`	Standard brokerage account
`mutual_fund`	Mutual fund account
`etf`	ETF-focused account
`individual_stocks`	Direct stock holdings
`individual_bonds`	Bond portfolio
`managed_account`	Professionally managed account
`529_plan`	Education savings plan
`private_equity`	Private equity investment
`cryptocurrency`	Crypto holdings
`other`	Other investment type

Asset Classes (Holdings)

Class	Description
`stock`	Individual stocks
`bond`	Individual bonds
`mutual_fund`	Mutual fund shares
`etf`	Exchange-traded fund shares
`option`	Options contracts
`cryptocurrency`	Digital currency
`cash`	Cash or cash equivalents
`other`	Other asset class

Key Considerations

Stepped-up cost basis: Inherited investments receive a stepped-up cost basis to the date-of-death value, potentially eliminating capital gains tax.
Date-of-death valuation must be documented for tax purposes. Request a formal statement from the custodian.
TOD (Transfer on Death) designated accounts pass directly to the named beneficiary outside of probate.
In-kind transfers preserve the holdings without selling. This avoids taxable events during transfer.
Cryptocurrency may require special handling for wallet access and private keys.
Community property states may allow a full step-up in basis for both spouses’ shares.

Getting Started

Guides

Investment Accounts Guide

Investment Accounts Guide

API Path

Typical Workflow

1. Add discovered accounts with holdings

2. Record date-of-death valuation

3. Track transfer or liquidation

Account Types

Asset Classes (Holdings)

Key Considerations

​Investment Accounts Guide

​API Path

​Typical Workflow

​1. Add discovered accounts with holdings

​2. Record date-of-death valuation

​3. Track transfer or liquidation

​Account Types

​Asset Classes (Holdings)

​Key Considerations

Investment Accounts Guide

API Path

Typical Workflow

1. Add discovered accounts with holdings

2. Record date-of-death valuation

3. Track transfer or liquidation

Account Types

Asset Classes (Holdings)

Key Considerations