> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://api.hellosunset.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Investment Accounts Guide

> Guide to managing brokerage accounts, stocks, bonds, and other investments during estate settlement.

# 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:

```bash theme={null}
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:

```bash theme={null}
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

```bash theme={null}
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.