Detailed answer — step‑by‑step process under Alaska law

1. Confirm whether probate is required.

   Not every deceased person’s property must pass through probate. Accounts held jointly with right of survivorship, accounts with payable‑on‑death (POD) or transfer‑on‑death (TOD) designations, life insurance and retirement benefits with named beneficiaries, and certain small‑estate procedures can avoid full probate. If you are unsure whether probate is required, check the decedent’s asset titles and beneficiary designations and consider an attorney review.

2. Check for a will and any nominated personal representative.

   If a valid will exists, it commonly names an executor (personal representative). The court generally honors that nomination unless the nominee is unsuitable, unwilling, or disqualified. If there is a will but no willing nominated executor, the court may appoint an administrator with the will annexed (an administrator who follows the will).

3. Determine where to file.

   Probate matters in Alaska are handled by the Superior Court in the judicial district where the decedent was domiciled. Locate the appropriate Superior Court clerk’s office and review local probate filing procedures. Alaska court information is available on the Alaska Court System website: https://courts.alaska.gov/.

4. Prepare and file a petition for appointment of a personal representative.

   The usual first court filing is a petition to open probate and to appoint a personal representative (executor or administrator). The petition typically asks the court to:

   • Admit the will to probate (if one exists).
   • Appoint the named executor or, if no will, appoint an administrator.
   • Issue letters testamentary (executor) or letters of administration (administrator) that grant the fiduciary authority to act for the estate.

   Attach required items such as the original will (if there is one), a certified copy of the death certificate, and a proposed order and letters. The clerk will tell you required forms, filing fees, and whether a bond is required.

5. Provide notice to interested persons and creditors.

   Alaska law requires notice to heirs, beneficiaries, and others with potential interest in the estate. The court will require personal service or mailed notice to known interested persons and often a published notice for unknown creditors. Those notices allow people to object to the appointment or present claims. Follow the court’s rules and timelines for serving notices and publishing them when required.

6. Ask the court to appoint co‑administrators if appropriate.

   If you want to serve together with another person, request appointment as co‑administrators in your petition. The court may appoint co‑administrators where it finds good cause — for example, to represent different branches of a family, where the estate is large or complex, or when multiple interested parties request shared authority. The petition should explain why co‑administration is appropriate and include consent from the proposed co‑administrator(s). Co‑administrators share fiduciary duties and should coordinate closely to avoid conflicts or delays.

7. Attend the hearing and respond to objections.

   The court will schedule a hearing if there are objections or questions. If the petition is uncontested and forms are in order, the court may grant appointment without a hearing. If objections arise, be prepared to explain why you are a suitable fiduciary and to address any competing appointment requests.

8. Receive letters and begin administration.

   Once appointed, the court issues letters that provide legal authority to collect assets, pay debts and taxes, manage estate property, and distribute assets according to the will or intestacy laws. As personal representative you must act as a fiduciary: inventory estate assets, preserve value, notify creditors, file tax returns, and follow court orders. At the end of administration, file a final accounting or petition for discharge to close the estate and be relieved of duties.

Legal basis and where to read the statutes

Alaska’s probate and personal‑representative rules appear in the Alaska Statutes and in Alaska court rules. For statutory text and detailed provisions see the Alaska Legislature statutes site and the Alaska Court System pages on probate and personal representatives:

• Alaska Statutes (search Title 13 and the probate sections): https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp (see the probate and fiduciary chapters)
• Alaska Court System — probate information and local filing procedures: https://courts.alaska.gov/

Because statutes and court procedures change, check the current Alaska Statutes and your local Superior Court’s probate pages for exact statutory citations, required forms, and filing instructions.

Helpful hints

• Start by locating the original will (if any) and obtaining a certified death certificate. The court will need these documents.
• Contact the Superior Court clerk in the decedent’s home district early to get local probate forms, fee amounts, and bond requirements.
• If multiple people want to serve, try to reach agreement before filing. A joint petition with consents typically proceeds faster and with fewer disputes.
• Be prepared to explain why co‑administration is necessary and how you will share duties. Courts will avoid appointments likely to cause conflict or delay.
• Keep careful records. As personal representative you must keep receipts, inventories, notices, and accounting entries — these are essential for the final accounting and for defending against creditor claims or objections.
• Notify financial institutions and secure estate property promptly to avoid loss. Don’t distribute assets until you have authority (letters) from the court.
• If the estate seems simple and small, ask the court about simplified or small‑estate procedures that can avoid full probate.
• When in doubt, consult a licensed Alaska attorney to review the petition, explain duties, and help handle contested matters or complicated assets (real property, out‑of‑state assets, business interests).