create_asset
Create a new asset in the estate. Use this when the user wants to add a bank account, property, vehicle, insurance policy, other asset, or a debt the estate owes. A same-named asset does NOT block creation (two accounts at the same institution are legitimate) — but if you created this exact asset moments ago, the tool returns the existing one instead of a duplicate. Use update_asset to change details of an existing asset. For eligible paid estates, adding an asset may start public-source research and add asset-specific tasks. Recent same-name assets may have empty fields filled instead of a duplicate being added. Repeating after the deduplication window may create another asset.
Input Schema
TableJSON Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| notes | No | Additional notes about the asset (optional) | |
| estate_id | Yes | The estate to act on. Call list_my_estates first to get this id. | |
| asset_name | Yes | Name or description of the asset (e.g. 'Chase Checking Account', '123 Main St') | |
| asset_type | Yes | Type of asset (use plural form to match database schema). 'debts_liabilities' = money the estate OWES (mortgage, credit card, medical bill, unsecured claim on a court schedule) — record the outstanding balance as a positive estimated_value. It is tracked in the Assets & Debts tab as a liability and is never counted as estate inventory. | |
| jurisdiction | No | State where the asset is located (optional, for real estate or vehicles) | |
| account_number | No | Account or policy number (optional) | |
| estimated_value | No | Estimated value in dollars (optional) | |
| has_beneficiary | No | Whether the asset has a named beneficiary (optional) | |
| beneficiary_name | No | Name of the beneficiary if known (optional) | |
| bypasses_probate | No | Whether this asset bypasses probate (e.g. POD/TOD accounts, joint tenancy) (optional) | |
| date_of_death_value | No | The asset's value at the date of death (the inventory value used for estate accounting and to compute gain/loss on sale). Set this at creation whenever you know it — for the decedent's own bank/investment accounts it is the balance at death, and it is what makes that balance flow into the Ledger's starting cash. If the user gives one figure for such an account and it is the date-of-death balance, set both this and estimated_value. |