Short answer

If your spouse died and you need the legal authority to pursue a claim on their behalf (for example, a federal Camp Lejeune claim or a survival/wrongful-death action), you will generally need to open a probate estate in the Alaska Superior Court where the decedent lived. That process appoints a personal representative (executor or administrator) and issues official documents (letters) that allow someone to act for the estate — including filing lawsuits. Alaska’s probate procedures are governed by Title 13 of the Alaska Statutes. See Alaska Statutes, Title 13 (Probate, Trusts and Fiduciaries): https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#13.

Detailed answer — step-by-step guide under Alaska law

1. Confirm what claim you need authority for

Determine whether the Camp Lejeune-related claim is (a) a claim the decedent would have had personally (a personal-injury claim that survives death), (b) a wrongful-death claim on behalf of survivors, or (c) both. Different claims may be brought by the decedent’s personal representative (for survival or estate claims) or by statutory beneficiaries (for wrongful-death claims). An appointed personal representative generally brings survival- and estate-based claims. A wrongful-death claim may be brought by survivors in specified order. Consult a claimant attorney quickly because federal deadlines and requirements may apply.

2. Locate the decedent’s will (if any) and important documents

Find the original will, any codicils, beneficiary designations, insurance policies, retirement account documents, titles, and account statements. Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate from the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics — the court and other institutions will ask for them.

3. Decide between full probate and small-estate procedures

Alaska provides probate administration for formal estates and procedures to simplify administration of small estates. If the decedent’s probate assets are small, an informal or summary process may be available. If you need to bring a claim as the estate’s representative, the summary options may or may not give you the formal letters needed to file a federal claim — confirm with the court clerk or an attorney.

4. File in the correct court

Submit a petition for probate and appointment of personal representative in the Alaska Superior Court in the judicial district where the decedent resided. The court will require the original will (if there is one), the petition form, a death certificate, and filing fee. The Alaska Court System provides local filing information and self-help resources at https://public.courts.alaska.gov.

5. Provide required notices

Alaska law requires notice to known heirs and beneficiaries and publication or creditor notice as appropriate. This protects creditors and gives interested persons a chance to appear. The court will provide guidance on the notice requirements that attach to appointment and probate. See Alaska statutes governing probate procedures: Alaska Statutes, Title 13.

6. Appointment and issuance of letters

Once the court approves the petition, it issues letters testamentary or letters of administration, which officially name the personal representative. Those letters are the documents you will present to banks, insurance companies, and to a court to show you have authority to bring claims on behalf of the estate.

7. Duties of the personal representative

The appointed representative must collect estate assets, protect them, evaluate and pay valid debts, file an inventory, and distribute the estate under the will or state law. If there is a potential Tort/medical claim (such as exposure at Camp Lejeune), the personal representative must decide — with legal advice — whether to pursue the claim, settle, or assign proceeds to the estate’s beneficiaries.

8. How a personal representative files a Camp Lejeune claim

Because Camp Lejeune claims arise under federal law (the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and associated federal procedures), the estate’s personal representative will typically be the party authorized to file a survival/estate claim in federal court. If the cause of action is a wrongful death claim, Alaska’s wrongful-death beneficiaries may have independent rights. The estate’s representative should obtain court-issued letters and consult an attorney who handles Camp Lejeune claims — the representative’s name and letters will be required by defendants and for court filings.

9. Timing and statute of limitations — act quickly

Federal claims often have filing deadlines and tolling rules. Opening probate and getting letters can take weeks. Because deadlines may be strict, start the probate process promptly and consult counsel familiar with Camp Lejeune claims so that important time limits are not missed.

10. Common costs and timelines

Costs include court filing fees, possible publication fees for creditor notice, and attorney fees if you hire counsel for probate or the Camp Lejeune claim. Time from filing to appointment can vary from a few weeks for straightforward informal matters to several months if notice periods or contests arise.

Practical checklist — what to do first

• Obtain multiple certified death certificates from Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• Locate the original will and any beneficiary designations.
• Gather asset information (bank accounts, titles, retirement accounts, insurance).
• Contact the Alaska Superior Court clerk in the decedent’s district to learn filing requirements and forms: https://public.courts.alaska.gov.
• Ask the court about small-estate or summary procedures if assets are limited.
• Consult (and consider hiring) an attorney who handles both Alaska probate and Camp Lejeune/federal injury claims.
• Start the probate filing immediately if a federal claim is time-sensitive — do not wait to preserve the claim.

Helpful hints

• Obtain certified copies of letters as soon as the court issues them — many institutions require certified copies, not photocopies.
• If you are listed as spouse and sole heir and there is no will, Alaska law provides intestacy rules; the court normally appoints a close family member as administrator.
• Do not sign away possible claims or distribute estate assets before consulting an attorney about pending claims — doing so can waive rights.
• Preserve medical records, military service records, and exposure evidence — these documents are important for Camp Lejeune claims.
• If the federal claim will be pursued, coordinate with your Camp Lejeune attorney so probate steps and civil litigation proceed without conflicting actions.

Where to get forms and more information

Alaska Statutes — Title 13 (Probate, Trusts and Fiduciaries): https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#13

Alaska Court System (general court information and local clerk contact): https://public.courts.alaska.gov

Because Camp Lejeune claims are federal in nature, consider seeking an attorney who handles federal tort claims related to Camp Lejeune exposure as well as Alaska probate.