Detailed answer

Short answer: If your sibling claims you mismanaged estate assets because you sold your dad’s car, the key questions are whether you had legal authority to sell the car, whether the sale was reasonable and in the estate’s best interest, and whether you kept clear records. Under Alaska probate law, a person who acts as a personal representative (executor/administrator) owes fiduciary duties to the estate and its beneficiaries. A beneficiary who thinks those duties were breached can ask the court for an accounting, for removal of the personal representative, for damages (a surcharge), or for return of the asset’s value.

How Alaska law frames the situation

Alaska’s probate and estate laws are in Title 13 of the Alaska Statutes (Probate, Estates, and Decedents’ Property). The statutes and Alaska courts expect personal representatives to preserve estate property, act reasonably, and provide accounts to beneficiaries. For general background on the statutes, see the Alaska Legislature’s Title 13 pages: https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#13. For practical probate procedure information from the Alaska Court System, see the Courts’ probate page: https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/probate/index.htm.

Key issues the court and parties will consider

Authority to sell: Did you have authority under the will, a court order (letters of administration or letters testamentary), or statute to sell the car? If the estate was open and you were the appointed personal representative, the letters usually authorize reasonable acts to manage and preserve estate property.
Ownership of the car: Was the car probate property of the estate (owned solely by the deceased) or a nonprobate asset (jointly titled, beneficiary-named, insured payable-on-death)? If the car passed outside probate, the estate’s representative may not have had any authority over it.
Reasonableness of the sale: Was selling the car necessary to preserve estate assets (e.g., to pay debts, because the car was deteriorating, or because no beneficiary wanted it)? Was the sale price fair? Did you seek an appraisal, market the vehicle, or compare offers?
Use of proceeds: Did you deposit the proceeds in the estate account and use them only for estate obligations or distributions? Using sale proceeds for your personal benefit without authorization can lead to breach of fiduciary duty claims.
Notice and accounting: Did you notify beneficiaries about the sale and provide documentation (bill of sale, check deposit, title transfer)? Beneficiaries can request an accounting in court if information is missing.

Possible claims a sibling might bring

A sibling who believes you mismanaged estate property can pursue several remedies in Alaska civil probate proceedings:

Request an accounting: The beneficiary can petition the probate court to require you to produce an accounting of estate transactions and receipts.
Allegation of breach of fiduciary duty or conversion: If you improperly sold or kept proceeds, the sibling can sue for damages or return of the value.
Removal of the personal representative: If misconduct or incapacity is serious, the court can remove you and appoint a successor.
Surcharge: The court can order you to reimburse the estate for losses caused by improper acts.
Settlement or mediation: Courts often encourage resolving disputes by agreement or mediation to avoid costly litigation.

Common defenses and practical explanations

If you had proper authority (letters or clear will language) and documented the sale, you can show you acted within your powers.
If you sold the car to prevent depreciation, to pay estate expenses, or because no beneficiary wanted it, the sale may be reasonable.
If the car was nonprobate property (e.g., jointly titled with right of survivorship), you may have lacked authority to sell at all; conversely, a surviving joint owner could sell without involving the estate.
If you deposited money into an estate account, kept receipts, and offered transparency, courts are likelier to find you met your duties.

What you should do now — step-by-step

Gather all paperwork: the will, letters of appointment (if issued), title/registration documents, bill of sale, deposit records, and any communications with beneficiaries.
Document your reasons: why the car was sold, how you chose the sale price, and how you used the proceeds.
Open or maintain a separate estate bank account for all estate funds and clearly record transactions.
Share a clear accounting with your sibling and other beneficiaries. Often transparency resolves disputes early.
If your sibling files a petition, respond in writing and consider attending a court-ordered mediation or settlement conference.
If you cannot resolve the dispute or you are sued, consult an attorney experienced in Alaska probate law to evaluate defenses and representation options.

When selling the car is clearly problematic

Specific situations increase the risk that a court will find mismanagement:

You sold the car before appointment as personal representative and took the proceeds for yourself.
You sold a vehicle that was clearly owned jointly by a beneficiary or had a named beneficiary/survivor.
You refused reasonable requests for an accounting or concealed documents.
You sold the vehicle to a related party at an unreasonably low price and did not document the transaction.

Relevant Alaska law and where to find it

Alaska’s probate code is contained in Title 13 of the Alaska Statutes. That Title sets out the legal framework for administration, powers, duties, and accounts for personal representatives. See the Alaska Legislature’s statutes: https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#13. For practical procedure guidance from the court, see the Alaska Court System probate information: https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/probate/index.htm.

When to get outside help

If your sibling has started a court action, threatens litigation, or you’re unsure whether you had authority to sell the car, talk with a lawyer who handles Alaska probate and fiduciary duty matters. A lawyer can help you prepare an accounting, defend against allegations, or negotiate a settlement. If cost is an issue, ask the court about mediation resources or limited-scope representation options.

Disclaimer

This article explains general principles of Alaska probate law for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney in Alaska.

Helpful hints

Always get written authorization (letters testamentary/administration) before selling estate assets whenever possible.
Keep the sale proceeds in a separate estate bank account and record each transaction clearly.
Get at least one independent appraisal or written market comparison for significant estate items before sale.
Notify beneficiaries of major sales and share copies of receipts and title-transfer documents promptly.
If a dispute starts, gather all documents immediately—transparency often prevents litigation.
Consider mediation early; it often costs less and resolves disputes faster than court litigation.
Use the Alaska Court System and Alaska Legislature websites for authoritative procedural and statutory information: courts.alaska.gov, akleg.gov (Title 13).