Detailed Answer: How to open an estate in Alaska when your sibling died without a will

Short answer: If your sibling died without a will (intestate) and owned a house, you will usually need to open a probate estate in the Alaska Superior Court where they lived so a personal representative (administrator) can be appointed. The administrator gathers assets, pays debts and taxes, and then transfers the house to the legal heirs under Alaska’s intestacy rules. This process is governed by Alaska’s probate and intestacy statutes and the Alaska Superior Court procedures.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. This article explains general steps under Alaska law to help you decide whether to contact an Alaska probate attorney or the court.

1. Confirm basic facts and whether probate is required

Verify the decedent’s domicile (where they lived). Probate is normally filed in the Superior Court for the district where your sibling lived.
Confirm whether a will exists. If there is no will, the estate is intestate and Alaska’s intestacy rules apply (AS 13.12 – Intestate succession).
Determine whether the house title passes automatically to someone else (joint tenancy with right of survivorship or a transfer-on-death deed) or whether the house is solely in the decedent’s name. If the house passed by operation of law, you may not need probate for the house.

2. Identify heirs under Alaska intestacy law

Alaska’s intestacy statutes set the priority of heirs. If the decedent left no surviving spouse or descendants, siblings (and their descendants) may inherit. For the precise hierarchy, see Alaska’s intestacy chapter: AS 13.12.

3. Decide whether a probate administration is needed or a simplified route exists

Small estate procedures or non-probate transfers sometimes let you avoid a full probate—check whether the property or personal assets qualify for any simplified procedure. The Alaska Superior Court and probate rules describe available summary procedures and forms; see the court probate information and forms: Alaska Court System — Probate and Probate forms.
If title to the house is solely in the decedent’s name and the heirs or creditors require a clear title, formal probate (appointment of an administrator and issuance of letters) is usually the safe route.

4. File to open probate and appoint a personal representative (administrator)

Prepare and file a Petition for Administration (or the Alaska equivalent form) in the Superior Court in the correct district. Attach a certified copy of the death certificate and a list of known heirs and assets.
The court will appoint an administrator (sometimes called a personal representative) and issue letters authorizing the representative to act for the estate. See Alaska probate statutes and court forms: AS 13.16 – Administration of estates and probate procedure and the Alaska probate forms page: public.courts.alaska.gov — probate forms.
Anyone with an interest (an heir or creditor) may petition; the court prefers a person who will act for the estate and is legally eligible.

5. Immediate duties of the personal representative

Secure and insure the house. Change locks if necessary and protect the property from loss.
Locate and gather estate assets: deed/title, bank accounts, insurance policies, retirement accounts, and personal property. Obtain multiple certified death certificates from the Alaska Division of Vital Records.
Provide notice to creditors and publish notice if required. The administrator must handle creditor claims according to Alaska law and the court’s deadlines.
Open an estate bank account for receipts and payments.

6. Inventory, appraisal, pay debts, and taxes

Prepare an inventory of estate property and file required paperwork with the court.
Pay valid debts and funeral expenses from estate funds before distributing anything to heirs. Follow notice and claim timelines from Alaska probate rules.
File final income tax returns and any applicable estate tax filings. Alaska has no state estate tax, but you must still address federal tax obligations if applicable.

7. Selling or transferring the house

If the estate must sell the house to pay debts or distribute proceeds, the administrator can sell with court approval or under the court’s procedures. The court may have to approve the sale or the administrator may have statutory authority—follow the Alaska probate code and court rules for selling real property (AS 13.16).
If the estate is closed by distributing the house to the heirs, the administrator will prepare and record the deed transferring title to the inheritors after paying debts and obtaining any required court orders.

8. Close the estate

After debts, taxes, and expenses are paid and assets are distributed according to Alaska intestacy law, the personal representative files a final accounting and petition to close the estate. The court then issues an order discharging the representative.

Typical timeline and costs

Time: Simple administrations can take several months; complicated estates or contested matters can take a year or more.
Costs: Court filing fees, publication fees, potential appraisal fees, attorney fees (if you hire counsel), and administrator bond (sometimes required) are typical costs.

When to consult a lawyer

Contact an Alaska probate attorney if any of the following apply:

Heirs disagree about who should be appointed or how assets should be distributed.
The estate has significant debt, tax issues, or creditor claims.
Real property must be sold or there are title or mortgage complications.
There are out-of-state assets or complex financial accounts.

An attorney can advise on whether an informal/simplified procedure is available and can prepare the necessary court filings.

Helpful Hints

Get several certified death certificates from the Alaska Division of Vital Records—many institutions require originals.
Don’t move or dispose of the decedent’s property until you know whether probate or an administrator’s order is required.
Check the house deed and county recorder’s records for liens, mortgages, joint owners, or transfer-on-death designations.
Look for safe-deposit boxes, recent statements, and life insurance policies—some proceeds pass outside probate.
Keep detailed records and receipts of all estate-related transactions; you’ll need them for the inventory and final accounting.
Use the Alaska Court System’s probate forms and self-help resources to understand local filing procedures: Alaska Court System — Probate.
If you believe the estate might qualify for a simplified or small estate procedure, ask the court clerk or an attorney before filing for full administration.

Relevant Alaska statutes and resources referenced: Alaska intestacy and probate law are primarily in Title 13 of the Alaska Statutes (AS 13.12 — Intestate succession, and AS 13.16 — Administration and probate procedure), and the Alaska Court System provides forms and procedural guidance at public.courts.alaska.gov — Probate.

If you want, tell me the borough or census area where your sibling lived and whether the house had a mortgage or joint owner, and I can outline a more specific checklist of forms and likely next steps under Alaska law.