Detailed Answer — your rights and practical steps under Alaska law

If someone proposed to be, or already appointed as, a personal representative (administrator/executor) is withholding information about estate assets or refusing to give you estate documents, you have clear options under Alaska law. Beneficiaries, heirs, and interested parties generally have a right to know what property is in the estate, to see the inventory and accountings, and to receive notice of probate proceedings.

Alaska’s statutes and probate procedures set up a court-supervised process for opening estates, collecting and protecting assets, and accounting to interested persons. The probate court relies on the personal representative to disclose estate property, file inventories and accountings, and respond to court orders. If the representative fails to disclose or refuses to cooperate, you can ask the court to enforce disclosure, compel an accounting, and—if necessary—remove or sanction the representative. For Alaska statutes governing probate and fiduciary duties, see Alaska Statutes, Title 13 (Estates, Probate, and Trusts): https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#13.

Immediate practical steps

1. Confirm status: Find out whether the person is merely the proposed administrator named in a will or whether the court has formally appointed them as personal representative. If a probate case is open, there will be a court file. You can check the court docket with the probate clerk at the appropriate Alaska Superior Court or the statewide probate information on the Alaska Courts website: https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/probate/index.htm.
2. Ask in writing: Send a clear, dated written request for the estate inventory, accountings, and any relevant documents (deeds, titles, bank statements, insurance policies, and the will). Keep copies and proof of delivery (certified mail or email read receipts). A written record is important if you later ask the court to intervene.
3. Check the court file: If probate is open, the personal representative usually must file an inventory or other documents with the court. Visit the probate clerk’s office and request copies of filings. Court files often include petitions, inventories, and accountings that are a matter of public record.
4. File a motion or petition with the probate court: If the representative refuses to produce documents or file required inventories, you can ask the court for relief. Typical petitions or motions include a request to compel the filing of an inventory or accounting, a petition for an order to show cause, or a motion for discovery directed to the personal representative.
5. Seek emergency relief if assets are at risk: If you have reason to believe estate assets are being squandered, hidden, or transferred improperly, ask the court for temporary relief (e.g., a temporary restraining order, freezing assets, or appointment of a special fiduciary). The court can act quickly if immediate harm is likely.

Longer-term/remedial options available through the court

• Request a formal accounting — the court can order the personal representative to present a full accounting of receipts, disbursements, and distributions.
• Ask the court to compel production of documents from the representative or, using subpoenas, from third parties (banks, title companies, etc.).
• Move to remove the personal representative for breach of fiduciary duty, willful refusal to perform duties, incompetence, or misconduct.
• Request the court to surcharge a representative (order them to repay losses caused by mismanagement) if the court finds improper conduct or malfeasance.
• Seek sanctions for contempt if the representative disobeys a court order to produce documents or accountings.

What you should ask for (practical checklist)

When requesting estate information, ask for copies of:

• The decedent’s will and any codicils;
• The court petition opening probate and any orders appointing the personal representative;
• Inventory of estate assets and valuations;
• All bank, brokerage, and investment statements reflecting estate or decedent accounts;
• Deeds, titles, and vehicle registrations showing real and personal property;
• Life insurance policies, annuities, retirement account statements, and beneficiary designations;
• Copies of bills paid, debts claimed, creditor notices, and claims against the estate;
• Any accountings filed with the court.

What to expect from the probate court in Alaska

The probate court supervises administration and enforces statutory duties. If you show that the representative is withholding records or not complying with disclosure duties, the court can compel production, set deadlines, impose sanctions, or replace the representative. If you suspect fraud or embezzlement, the court can order investigations and, if appropriate, refer matters to law enforcement.

For help locating local forms or filing requirements and to learn about the local procedures for petitions or hearings, contact the probate clerk at the Alaska Superior Court handling the county where the decedent lived or where real property is located. The Alaska Courts’ probate pages list basic information and contacts: https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/probate/index.htm.

When to get a lawyer

If the matter is contentious, involves complex assets, or you suspect deliberate concealment or wasted estate assets, consult a probate attorney licensed in Alaska. An attorney can draft and file the correct petitions, request emergency relief, subpoena third-party records, and represent you at hearings. If you cannot afford private counsel, the court or local legal aid organizations may provide referral resources.

Note: statutes and procedures can be technical. To identify the exact requirements, deadlines, and remedies, review Alaska’s probate statutes in Title 13 and the local probate rules or ask the probate clerk for guidance: Alaska Statutes, Title 13.

Disclaimer: This article explains general legal principles under Alaska law and describes typical steps people take when a personal representative withholds estate information. It is not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Alaska attorney.

Helpful Hints

• Always make requests in writing and keep a dated copy with delivery proof (certified mail or saved emails).
• Check the probate docket early — many estate documents are filed with the court and are public records.
• Prepare your relationship proof (copy of will naming you a beneficiary, birth certificate, marriage license, or other proof of heir status) before filing petitions.
• Preserve evidence: download and save any documents or communications you receive. Note dates and details of verbal conversations.
• If you fear asset dissipation, act promptly: request emergency court orders to protect estate assets while you seek relief.
• Consider mediation if the dispute is about valuation or distributions — courts often encourage resolving disputes without long litigation.
• Use the probate clerk as a resource — they can tell you what has been filed and how to access the court file.
• Document suspected fraud or concealment with specific facts — courts require more than suspicion to remove a representative or impose sanctions.