Detailed Answer

Short answer: In Alaska, you generally petition the Superior Court for appointment as the decedent’s personal representative (often called the administrator when there is no will). Start by contacting the probate clerk in the Superior Court for the judicial district where your mother lived, file a petition for appointment, notify heirs and creditors, and complete any required inventory, bond, and closing steps. This article explains the practical steps, common requirements, and where to find official Alaska forms and guidance.

What “administrator” means in Alaska

Alaska law uses the term personal representative for the person appointed to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute property. When someone dies without a will, the court appoints a personal representative under the state’s intestacy rules and probate procedures.

Who has priority to serve?

Alaska law gives priority to certain people to be appointed personal representative. Typically, the highest priority is the surviving spouse, then adult children, then other close relatives. If multiple persons with equal priority petition, the court may select among them. If you are the closest available heir (for example, an adult child), you are usually eligible to ask the court to appoint you.

Step-by-step: How to apply to serve as personal representative

Confirm there is no will. Look for any original will. If there is a will, it may nominate a personal representative and a different procedure applies.
Contact the right Superior Court clerk. File your petition in the Alaska Superior Court for the judicial district where your mother lived when she died. The probate clerk can tell you the correct filing location and local procedures. See Alaska Court System probate pages for contact info and local court details: https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/probate/.
Gather required documents. Typical items to bring when you file: certified copy of the death certificate, a list of known heirs and their addresses, a brief description of known assets and debts, and your identification.
File a Petition for Appointment as Personal Representative. Use the court’s probate petition form or draft a petition following the court’s instructions. The petition asks the court to open probate, appoint you as personal representative, and order issuance of Letters (proof of authority).
Provide notice to heirs and interested persons. Alaska law requires notice to heirs and other interested persons. The court will instruct you how to serve notice, who must receive it, and the deadlines for objections.
Bond requirements. The court often requires a bond to insure faithful performance unless the bond is waived by law or by unanimous consent of the heirs. The court can set the bond amount and may accept a surety company bond or other security. In some cases (for example, where the estate is small or the court finds a waiver appropriate), the bond may be reduced or waived.
Inventory and administration. After appointment, you must locate assets, secure them, and file any required inventory with the court. You must collect estate assets, pay valid debts and taxes, and distribute the remaining property to heirs according to Alaska intestacy rules.
Close the estate. When administration is complete, file a final accounting or petition for discharge so the court can formally close the estate and discharge you as personal representative.

Special or faster options

If the estate is small or consists primarily of personal property and there are no disputes, Alaska courts offer simplified or expedited procedures in some circumstances. The Alaska Court System provides forms and guidance for summary procedures and small estates. Check the court’s probate resources: https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/probate/.

Important deadlines and creditor claims

After the court opens probate and you publish or mail required notice, creditors have a statutory window to present claims. You must follow Alaska’s notice rules and timelines to make sure the estate protects itself from late claims. The probate clerk or the court forms will explain the required notice language and the deadline for filing creditor claims.

Where property passes when there is no will

If your mother died intestate (without a will), her property passes under Alaska’s intestacy rules to her heirs (for example, spouse, children, parents, or more remote relatives). Those rules are in Alaska’s probate statutes and determine how the personal representative must distribute assets. For official source material about Alaska probate statutes and procedures, start with the Alaska Legislature and the Alaska Court System:

Alaska Court System — Probate information and forms: https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/probate/
Alaska Legislature — statutes (Title 13 covers probate and estates): https://www.akleg.gov/

When you should consider hiring an attorney

You can often administer a simple, uncontested estate without a lawyer. Consider hiring a probate attorney if:

There are disputes among heirs about who should be appointed or how assets divide.
The estate includes complicated assets (business interests, out-of-state real estate, or complex financial instruments).
Potential tax issues exist or significant creditor claims are likely.
You need help with bond issues, formal accountings, or contested matters in court.

Practical checklist before filing

Locate the original death certificate and any documents (bank account info, titles, insurance policies).
Search for a will, safe-deposit box, or safe where the will might be kept.
List known heirs and their contact information.
Estimate the value of major assets and debts.
Contact the probate clerk to get the correct forms and filing fee information.

Helpful Hints

Call the probate clerk first — many questions (forms, fees, local practices) are answered by the clerk’s office.
Use official court forms when available. They reduce the chance of filing errors or delays.
Keep careful, dated records of every action, receipt, and payment you make as personal representative.
Do not distribute assets until the court authorizes distribution and creditor deadlines have passed, unless the court permits early distribution.
If you believe the estate is small, ask the clerk about simplified or small-estate procedures that avoid full probate.
Remember Alaska has no state estate tax; check federal filing requirements if the estate may be large enough to trigger federal estate tax.
If multiple family members want the job, be prepared to explain to the court why you are the best choice (availability, competence, proximity, or willingness to post bond).
If you are appointed, obtain certified Letters of Personal Representative from the court — banks and other institutions will usually require them before turning over assets.

Where to get official help and forms

Primary official resources:

Alaska Court System — probate information, local contacts, and forms: https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/probate/
Alaska Legislature — statutes including the probate and intestacy laws (Title 13): https://www.akleg.gov/

Final note and disclaimer

This information explains general Alaska probate procedure when someone dies without a will. It is educational only and not legal advice. Probate rules can change, and local court procedures may vary. For advice about your specific situation, contact the probate clerk in the appropriate Alaska Superior Court or consult a licensed Alaska attorney.