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Mary JAWORSKI, Appellant, v. ESTATES OF Andrew G. HORWATH, Marjorie Horwath, Michael J. Horwath, by Sue STREETS, Personal Representative, Appellee

Alaska Supreme Court2012-05-25No. No. S-13566
277 P.3d 753

Authorities cited

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Opinion

majority opinion

OPINION

PER CURIAM.

1. Alaskas probate nonclaim statute, AS 13.16.460, provides that claims against an estate arising before the decedents death are barred unless presented: (1) within four months of the first publication of notice to creditors; (2) within three years of death if no notice to creditors is published; or (8) within limits specified by other applicable statutes of limitations The statute also bars most claims arising after the decedents death unless presented within four months of the time they arise.

2. Andrew G. Horwath, Sr. died in 1991 in Ketchikan. His widow, Marjorie Hor-wath, later moved to Minnesota to live with their daughter, Mary Jaworski. A Minnesota court entered a conservatorship order for Marjorie, appointing Mary Conservator of the Person and Michael Horwath-An-drew and Marjories son, and Marys brother-Conservator of the Estate. Marjorie died in 2001, and Michael died in 2007. Michael served for a time as personal representative of Andrews estate and applied to do so for Marjories estate, as well, but was not formally appointed. Another Horwath daughter, Sue Streets, became the personal representative for the estates of Andrew, Marjorie, and Michael.

3. In November 2008 Mary presented claims against all three estates, alleging that her then-deceased brother Michael had not always made a court-ordered monthly payment to her for their mothers care and that Michael had not reimbursed her for improvements she made to her house while caring for Marjorie. Mary also claimed Michael had improperly dissipated property and mismanaged both parents estates.

All claims against a decedents estate that arose before the death of the decedent ... if not barred earlier by other statute[s] of limitations, are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and devisees of the decedent, unless presented as follows:

(1) within four months after the date of the first publication of notice to creditors if notice is given in compliance with AS 13.16.450; ...

(2) within three years after the decedents death, if notice to creditors has not been published.

4. Personal representative Sue issued a disallowance of these claims in December 2008, asserting that the claims were unfounded and time-barred under both the nonelaim statute and the applicable statutes of limitations. Mary petitioned for an extension of time to initiate proceedings on her disallowed claims. Sue opposed the motion, arguing that no extension could be allowed because all of Marys claims were barred by the applicable statutes of limitations. Mary did not respond to the merits of Sues arguments. The superior court denied Marys extension petition on grounds that her elaims were barred by applicable statutes of limitations.

5. Mary moved for reconsideration, contending that the superior courts order was not clear but seemed to be based on her failure to comply with the nonelaim statute, rather than the underlying statutes of limitations. She asked for clarification. The court did not respond to the motion for reconsideration, and under Alaska Civil Rule 77(k)(4) it was deemed denied 30 days later.

6. Mary appeals. Although Marys statement of issues on appeal asserts the superior court erred by denying her requested extension because she exceeded the period under the statute of limitations, thereby causing a forfeiture of her claims, the legal arguments in Marys opening brief do not address this issue. Instead of addressing the courts ruling that her claims were barred by applicable statutes of limitations and that she therefore was not entitled to an extension of time to initiate proceedings on her disallowed claims, Mary argues her claims should not be barred by the nonclaim statute because she had not been given notice the nonelaim period had begun to run.

7. The issue before the superior court was neither the merits of Marys claims nor the merits of personal representative Sues disallowance of Marys claims for failure to comply with the nonelaim statute. The issue before the court was Marys requested extension of time to contest Sues disallowance of Marys claims. The court denied the extension because the applicable statutes of limitations already had run on all of Marys claims. Mary did not address the statute of limitations issues in the superior court or in her opening brief to this court. Only in Marys reply brief did she address the statutes of limitations, and then only in the context of Michaels actions as her mothers Minnesota conservator.

8. Having failed to argue the statute of limitations issues in the superior court or in her opening brief to this court, Mary has waived these issues. The superior courts decision is therefore AFFIRMED.

CHRISTEN, Justice, not participating.

. AS 13.16.460 provides in relevant part:

. See AS 13.16.460(b).

. AS 13.16.465(3) provides no extensions of time to initiate a proceeding on a disallowed claim may run beyond the applicable statute of limitations.

. Alaska R. Civ. P. 77(k)(4) provides that if the court does not rule on a motion for reconsideration within 30 days, the motion is considered denied.

. Very little of the partial dissents extensive statutes of limitations discussion can be traced to Marys arguments or briefing.

. Hymes v. DeRamus, 222 P.3d 874, 889 (Alaska 2010) (We have repeatedly held that a party may not raise an issue for the first time on appeal. (quoting Brandon v. Corr. Corp. of America, 28 P.3d 269, 280 (Alaska 2001))); id. at 887 ([Issues not argued in opening appellate briefs are waived. (citing Shearer v. Mundt, 36 P.3d 1196, 1199 (Alaska 2001))).

. We take no position on whether Mary may, in connection with final accountings in Andrews and Marjories probate estates, assert mismanagement claims as to when Michael served as personal representative. See AS 13.16.485(d) (Issues of liability as between the estate and the personal representative individually may be determined in a proceeding for accounting, surcharge, or indemnification or other appropriate proceeding.).

concurring-in-part-and-dissenting-in-part opinion

STOWERS, Justice,

concurring in part and dissenting in part.

The issue before the superior court was a daughters request for an extension of time to contest a personal representatives disal-lowance of the daughters claims against the estates of her mother, father, and brother. The superior court denied the extension because the applicable statutes of limitations had already run as to all of the daughters claims. This court concludes that the daughter failed on appeal to argue the statute of limitations issues, instead focusing on the probate nonclaim statute. The court concludes the daughter has therefore waived the statute of limitations issues.

I disagree with the courts conclusion because it appears to me that the parties-and perhaps even the superior court-failed to clearly distinguish between the operation of the probate nonelaim statute and other statutes of limitations. I do not believe the statute of limitations arguments were waived on appeal, but even if they were I would exercise our discretion to address these issues on the merits, because they are important and because I believe that the bar and bench would profit from an opinion on the merits from this court. Also, I believe that if this court would address the merits of the superior courts statutes of limitations ruling, that would change the outcome with respect to the daughters claims that relate to her estate mismanagement claim.

I. INTRODUCTION

Alaskas probate nonelaim statute, AS 183.16.460, provides that all claims against an estate arising before the decedents death are barred unless presented (1) within four months of the first publication of notice to creditors, (2) within three years of death if no notice to creditors is published, or (38) within limits specified by other applicable statutes of limitations. It also provides that most claims arising after death are barred unless presented within four months of the time they arise.

Andrew G. Horwath, Sr. died in 1991 in Ketchikan. His widow Marjorie Horwath moved to Minnesota to live with their daughter, Mary Jaworski, who was appointed conservator of Marjories person by a Minnesota court. Michael Horwath-Marys brother, and Andrew Sr. and Marjories son-became conservator of Marjories estate during her final years. Marjorie died in 2001, and Michael died in 2007. Another Horwath daughter, Sue Streets, is currently the personal representative (PR) for the estates of Andrew Sr., Marjorie, and Michael.

In November 2008 Mary presented claims against all three estates, alleging that her then-deceased brother Michael had not always paid the court-ordered $600 per month to Mary for the care of their mother and that Michael had not reimbursed her for improvements Mary made to her house while caring for Marjorie. She also claimed that Michael had improperly dissipated property and mismanaged both parents estates.

Personal representative Sue issued a disal-lowance of these claims on December 17, 2008, asserting that the claims were unfounded and time-barred. Mary petitioned for an extension in which to commence her claims. The superior court denied this petition on grounds that Marys claims were barred by applicable statutes of limitations.

1 would reverse, in part, the superior courts denial of Marys petition for extension, because although statutes of limitations barred two of her three claims against all estates, her mismanagement claim was not barred by statutes of limitations.

II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

A. Estate Of Andrew G. Horwath, Sr.

Andrew Sr.s estate consists chiefly of two interim Southeast Alaska limited entry fishing permits. Permanent issuance of Andrew Sr.s fishing permits has been denied by the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission; thus, since his death in 1991, the permits can be fished but cannot be sold. Interim permits were issued annually to Marjorie after Andrew Sr.s death, but beginning in 1993 the permits were fished by son Michael pursuant to a power of attorney. Following Marjories death in 2001, interim permits were issued directly to Michael as PR of Andrew Sr.s estate.

Several members of the family have served as PR for Andrew Sr.s estate. The first PR appointed was daughter Margorie Ramsey in August 1991. The estate was administratively closed in 1994. Son Michael replaced Margorie Ramsey as PR in April 2002. The estate was again administratively closed in 2004, and upon Michaels death in 2007, daughters Mary and Sue petitioned to reopen Andrew Sr.s estate and be appointed sucees-sor co-PRs. They were so appointed on April 30, 2007 and published notice to eredi-tors onee per week for three consecutive weeks in the Ketchikan Daily News from June 6 to June 20, 2007. Proof of publication was filed with the court on June 28, 2007. On January 28, 2008, following a hearing, Mary was removed as co-PR and Sue became the sole PR.

B. Estate Of Marjorie Horwath

Widow Marjorie suffered from Alzheimers disease and, following Andrew Sr.s death, she moved to live with daughter Mary in Minnesota. In 1999 a Minnesota probate court established a conservatorship for Marjorie. Mary was appointed Conservator of the Person, and Michael was appointed Conservator of the Estate. This arrangement charged Mary with daily care of her mother, while Michael was to pay the reasonable charges for the support and maintenance of the conservatee in the manner suitable to her station in life and the value of her estate. Specifically, under this Minnesota conserva-torship arrangement, Mary was to receive $600 monthly from Marjories estate, payable by conservator Michael, as well as Marjories $398 monthly social security benefits; this $998 monthly sum was to be used by Mary to care for Marjorie. Meanwhile, Michael would continue to manage the fishing permits.

On November 9, 2001, Marjorie died intestate in Minnesota at age 79. Michael applied in Alaska to be PR for her estate on April 9, 2002. Her remaining estate consisted solely of an unimproved residential lot north of Ketchikan, worth approximately $33,500. Michael obtained consent forms for his appointment as PR from all the Horwath children except Mary. The record does not re-fleet Michaels actual appointment as PR for Marjories estate, but her estate was administratively closed on April 7, 2004, listing Michael as PR.

Michael died in 2007. Following his death, daughter Sue petitioned to reopen Marjories estate and to be appointed successor PR in intestacy. Lacking consent from all her siblings, Sue filed a Request for Conversion to Petition for Adjudication of Intestacy, Determination of Heirs, and Appointment of Personal Representative in a Formal Proceeding on December 4, 2007. A hearing was scheduled for January 28, 2008 in Ketchikan.

At this January 2008 hearing, Mary testified that she believed there remained unpaid items that Michael had been required to pay in connection with her care of their mother Marjorie in Minnesota; specifically, she mentioned $150,000 in home renovations and a figure of $15 per hour for Marjories care.

Following the January 2008 hearing, Sue was appointed PR for Marjories estate. Notice to creditors was published in the Ketchi-kan Daily News for three consecutive weeks, from April 2 to April 16, 2008. An affidavit of publication was not filed with the court until December 17, 2008, almost eight months later.

C. Estate Of Michael Horwath

As previously stated, Michael Horwath administered his fathers estates interim fishing permits from 1993 until his own death on April 1, 2007 at age 55. Michael also acted as PR for Andrew Srs estate from April 2002 until his death, served as conservator of Marjories estate during her final years, and applied to be PR for Marjories estate following her death, although it is not clear whether he was ever so appointed. Michael had a will, but died unmarried and without children.

Michaels will nominated Sue to be PR for his estate. She was so appointed on June 4, 2007. Notice to creditors was published in the Ketchikan Daily News for three consecutive weeks, from July 10 until July 24, 2007. An affidavit of publication does not appear to have been filed with the court.

D. Marys Claims Against All Estates

On November 4, 2008, Mary filed written notice of claims against the estates of Andrew Sr., Marjorie, and Michael. At this time, Sue was sole PR for all three estates.

Marys claims centered on allegedly unpaid expenses arising from her care of her mother Marjorie in Minnesota, as well as allegations of estate mismanagement by Michael during his tenure as PR. Specifically, Mary alleged that she was to be paid $500 per month to care for Marjorie, and that there was failure to pay the monthly amounts for such care. She also alleged that she made home improvements totaling approximately $150,000 (with the exact amount to be shown at trial) for the specific benefit of Marjorie. Lastly, she claimed that Michael had dissipated property, assets, proceeds and profits, and failed to account for the same in his management of the fishing permits and of their parents property to the detriment of [Mary] and her share of profits in the decedent parents estates. Mary did not state which claim(s) applied to each estate. She alleged that her claims had been stated in-person in open court on January 29, 2008. In addition to being filed with the court on November 4, 2008, Marys notice of claims was served directly on Sues attorneys.

On December 17, 2008, Sue, in her capacity as PR of each estate, filed a Notice of Disallowanee of Claims in which she rejected Marys claims as baseless and asserted that in any event they were barred by applicable statutes of limitations.

With respect to Marys claim for unpaid compensation, the Notice of Disallowanee of Claims stated first that the proper amount was in fact $600 per month (not $500 as Mary alleged), that this was for payment of the usual, customary and day to day expenses of supporting and caring for the conservatee, that it was not compensation, and that [rlecords prove that all such payments were made. (Emphasis added, internal quotation marks omitted.) Next, the Notice of Disal-lowanee of Claims stated that Marys claim was barred because it was not presented by Alaskas probate nonclaim statute, AS 13.16.460. The Notice of Disallowance of Claims also stated that Marys claim was presented outside the applicable statute of limitations periods and that her claim was unconnected to the estate of Andrew Sr.

With respect to Marys claim for home improvement reimbursement, the Notice of Disallowance of Claims stated that no contract existed for such reimbursement. The Notice of Disallowance of Claims also stated, as above, that the claim was not presented in a timely manner and that no connection existed between this claim and the estate of Andrew Sr.

With respect to Marys claim that Michael had dissipated funds, the Notice of Disallowance of Claims stated that it too was barred because it was not presented in a timely manner.

The Notice of Disallowance of Claims concluded with a notice stating YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED that every claim which is disallowed in this notice is forever barred if you fail to file a petition for allowance in the Court or commence a proceeding against the personal representative within sixty (60) days of service of this notice.

On February 18, 2009-as this 60-day period ended-Mary petitioned under AS 13.16.465(3) for an extension of time until March 6, 2009 in which to commence her claims. She argued that neither she nor her attorney had seen or received the April 2008 notice to creditors published in the Ketchi-kan Daily News concerning Sues appointment as PR for Marjories estate. In an affidavit by Marys attorney supporting the petition for extension, the attorney stated [the notice published by [Sues attorney], without more, constitutes inadequate service under Tulsa Prof. Collection Services v. Pope, 485 U.S. 478, 108 S.Ct. 1340, 99 L.Ed.2d 565 (1988).

On February 283, 2009, Sue filed her opposition to Marys petition for extension, arguing that each of Marys claims was barred by a statute of limitations and that an extension was therefore inappropriate under AS 13.16.465(8), which provides that in no event shall [any] extension run beyond the applicable statute of limitations.

Mary filed her commencement of claims on March 6, 2009. On April 15, 2009 the superior court denied Marys Petition for Extension because extension would be beyond [the applicable] statute(s] of limitations. Mary filed a Motion for Reconsideration on May 1, 2009. This motion was deemed denied after 30 days pursuant to Alaska Civil Rule 77, and this appeal followed.

III. DISCUSSION

A. Standard Of Review

We review for abuse of discretion a superi- or courts decision to grant or deny an extension of time. A court abuses its discretion if it issues a decision that is arbitrary, eapri-cious, manifestly unreasonable, or ... from an improper motive.

Statutory interpretation is a question of law to which we apply our independent judgment, interpreting the statute according to reason, practicality, and common sense.

B. Alaska Nonclaim Provisions And Notice Requirements

In 1972 Alaska adopted the Uniform Probate Code (U.P.C.) in its entirety. Alaska Statute 18.16.465 dictates the manner in which claims against a decedents estate must be presented. Section 465(2) provides in relevant part that the commencement of the proceeding must occur within the time limited for presenting the claim. This in turn invokes Alaskas probate nonclaim statute, AS 18.16.460, which sets clear time limits as to when claims may be presented.

Specifically, section 460 provides that claims arising before the decedents death are barred (1) three years following death, or (2) if notice is published per section .450, within four months of the first publication of notice. If a claim is barred earlier by another statute of limitations, however, that statutory bar controls.

Any claim arising after death is barred unless presented within four months after it arises, unless it is based in contract, in which case it is barred unless presented within four months after performance by the personal representative is due These U.P.C. provisions exist as originally adopted and have not been updated.

C. Other Statutes Of Limitations

Two limitations periods are relevant here: AS 09.10.053, which provides a three-year period to bring contract claims, and AS 09.10.070, which provides two years to bring tort claims. For claims arising before death, a four-month tolling period also applies, effectively extending each of these limitations periods by four months. Finally, in each estate and for each claim, the earliest applicable limitations period-that is, either the probate nonclaim statute or the general tort or contract statute of limitations-governs.

D. Characterizing Marys Claims Against All Estates

The superior court denied Marys petition for an extension of time in which to commence claims because extension would be beyond [the] statute[s] of limitations. Mary argues chiefly that publication notice was insufficient to trigger the nonclaim statute time bars. Mary seems to suggest that she was entitled to personal notice and argues that, in any event, Sue should have filed proof of publication of notice to ereditors to the court. Sue counters that proof of publication was eventually filed but maintains that in any case the claims are precluded under other statutes of limitations.

Mary did not specify which claim(s) applied to each estate, so I interpret each claim as applying to all three estates. Two of Marys three claims involve payment disputes arising from the conservatorship arrangement for Marjorie.

First, Mary alleges that as conservator of Marjories estate, Michael failed to make certain monthly payments as required under the conservatorship order. The conservatorship order stipulated that Michael (conservator of Marjories estate) pay $600 per month [flrom the funds of the conservatee, as available, to Mary (conservator of Marjories person). (Emphasis added.) The correct characterization of Marys first claim seems to be as a breach of fiduciary duty, because-if Mary can prove that sufficient funds were indeed available in Marjories estate, but withheld by Michael-Michael may have breached his duty as conservator of Marjories estate, which would sound in tort. Thus, the applicable limitations period is two years under AS 09.10.070, with a potential four-month tolling period under AS 13.16.455. The latest possible accrual date for this claim is November 9, 2001, the date Marjorie died.

Regarding Marys second claim, that Michael failed to reimburse her for home improvements, the conservatorship order makes no mention of any home improvements; Mary appears to have undertaken any such improvements under her own initiative. Thus, quasi-contract or unjust enrichment appear to be the proper characterization of her home improvement claim-both of which sound in contract. The applicable limitations period for contract claims is three years under AS 09.10.0583, with a potential four-month tolling period under AS 18.16.455. Like the first claim, the latest possible acerual date for the second claim is November 9, 2001, when Marjorie died.

Marys third claim concerns Michaels alleged mismanagement of his parents estates, a claim sounding in tort and governed by the two-year statute of limitations. Thus, the applicable limitations period is two years under AS 09.10.070, with a potential four-month tolling period under AS 18.16.455. Because it alleged Michaels mismanagement of estate funds, the last possible date on which the third claim could arise is the date of Michaels death, which occurred on April 1, 2007.

E. The Superior Court Did Not Err In Denying Marys Petition For Extension Of Time With Respect To Marys First And Second Claims.

Mary presented all three claims on November 4, 2008. Marys first and second claims-for monthly support and home improvements-as asserted against Andrew Sr.s estate, arose after Andrew Sr.s death in 1991. Marjorie moved to Minnesota to live with Mary in 1995, and the conservatorship was not instituted until 1999. Using the latest possible accrual date of November 9, 2001 (Marjories death), Marys first and second claims were therefore barred four months after they arose per AS 13.16.460(b) (i.e., March 9, 2002). The first claim is doubly barred as of November 9, 2008 (two-year bar on tort claims per AS 09.10.070) and the second as of November 9, 2004 (three-year bar on contract claims per AS 09.10.058). Thus, both claims are barred against Andrew Sr.s estate well before they were presented on November 4, 2008.

Marys first and second claims are similarly barred against Marjories and Michaels estates, with the chief difference being that claims one and two arose before Marjories and Michaels deaths. Thus, with respect to these two estates, these two claims are governed by AS 18.16.460(a) as opposed to 460 (b), and a four-month tolling period must be added to the tort and contract statutes of limitations per AS 18.16.455. Even so, Marys monthly support and home improvement claims are again barred by the operation of non-probate statutes of limitations: the home improvement claim was barred as of March 9, 2005 (last accrual date being Marjories death on November 9, 2001; I add three years per AS 09.10.0583 and four months per AS 18.16.455), and the monthly support claim was barred as of March 9, 2004 (same date arising; I add two years per AS 09.10.070 and four months per AS 18.16.455). Thus, both claims were barred against Marjories and Michaels estates well before they were presented on November 4, 2008.

The superior court therefore did not err in holding that Marys first two claims were barred against all three estates by statutes of limitations.

F. It Was Error To Deny Marys Petition For Extension Of Time With Respect To Her Third Claim.

Marys third claim, concerning Michaels alleged mismanagement of Andrew Sr.s and Marjories estates, was not yet barred by non-probate statutes of limitations at the time it was filed, and it was error to so hold.

This third claim necessarily arose after Andrew Sr.s death, since it concerns Michaels administration of Andrew Sr.s and Marjories estates. It may have arisen before or after Marjories death, but it necessarily could not have arisen after Michaels death. Using the latest possible accrual date of April 1, 2007 (Michaels death), it would be barred by the tort statute of limitations at latest on April 1, 2009 against Andrew Sr.s estate (two years per AS 09.10.070, no additional four months per AS 18.16.455), and on August 1, 2009 against Marjories and Michaels estates (two years per AS 09.10.070, plus four months per AS 18.16.455). Marys claims were presented before these two dates, on November 4, 2008.

It was therefore erroneous, and an abuse of discretion, to deny Marys petition for extension on grounds that such extension would be beyond [the applicable] statute[s] of limitations. I would remand this case and require the superior court to consider Marys third claim concerning Michaels alleged mismanagement of Andrew Sr.s and Marjories estates. In particular, the court should determine which estate, if any, this claim is properly asserted against; whether notice was adequate to trigger the nonelaim bar, and the timing of Marys awareness of the claim.

IV. CONCLUSION

I would affirm the superior courts denial of Marys petition for extension as it applies to Marys first and second claims against all estates because statutes of limitations bar these claims, and to this extent I concur in the result of the courts opinion. I would reverse that portion of the denial as it applies to Marys third claim concerning Michaels alleged mismanagement of Andrew Sr.s and Marjories estates because this claim was not barred by statutes of limitations, and I would remand for further proceedings. To this extent, I dissent from the courts opinion.

. Alaska Statute 13.16.460 provides in relevant part that [alll claims against a decedents estate that arose before the death of the decedent ... if not barred earlier by other statute[s] of limitations, are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and devisees of the decedent, unless presented within four months after the date of the first publication of notice to creditors if notice is given in compliance with AS 13.16.450, or within three years after the decedents death, if notice to creditors has not been published."

. See AS 13.16.460(b).

. Sometimes written in the record as Marjory Horwath.

. The permits are Sablefish Long Line Fishing Permit, Northern Southeast, Permit No. C61A52198 and Sablefish Long Line Fishing Permit, Southern Southeast, Permit No. C61C52199.

. It appears that these interim permits continue to be issued pending the outcome of an administrative appeal before the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Limited Entry Commission concerning permanent issuance of the permits.

. Michael was free to outsource the permits, fish them himself, hand them off to others, or to participate in any way in fishing them. Marjories conservatorship estate was to receive not less than 30% of the gross payment.

. Michael received consent forms from his three brothers John, William, and Andrew Jr., as well as from two of his sisters, Margorie Ramsey and Sue. Mary did not consent to the appointment but was, according to Michael, considering doing so.

. When Marjories estate was administratively closed on April 7, 2004, the closure listed Michael not as PR but as other representative. Sues petition to reopen Marjories estate later stated that Michael was never formally appointed [as PR] as a review of the file shows the necessary documents were not filed.

. The affidavit was prepared and exists in the record, but only as a copy submitted with copies of affidavits for the other estates on December 17, 2008.

. This date appears to be incorrect, since the hearing was held on January 28, 2008, not January 29-and no record exists of a hearing or other proceeding on January 29. Marys attorney later made a second reference to a January 29 hearing, although this too appears to refer to the January 28 proceeding.

. Alaska Statute 13.16.460 provides in relevant part that [alll claims against a decedents estate that arose before the death of the decedent ... if not barred earlier by other statute[s] of limitations, are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and devisees of the decedent, unless presented within four months after the date of the first publication of notice to creditors if notice is given in compliance with AS 13.16.450, or within three years after the decedents death, if notice to creditors has not been published.

. Sues response states that she is represented by different counsel with respect to Michaels estate, and that her response only pertains to Andrew Sr.s and Marjories estates. It does not appear that Sues other counsel filed a response to Marys claims with respect to Michaels estate; but in her opposition to Marys motion for extension, Sues original counsel did address the claims against Michaels estate.

. Alaska Statute 13.16.465(3) provides in relevant part that no proceeding on [a claim] may be commenced more than 60 days after the personal representative has mailed a notice of disal-lowance; but ... to avoid injustice the court, on petition, may order an extension of the 60-day period, but in no event shall the extension run beyond the applicable statute of limitations.

. This argument is not subsequently developed, either in the superior court or on appeal. See infra note 26 for a brief discussion of Tulsa.

. This would have been the last acceptable date for filing, if her petition for extension had been granted.

. Civil Rule 77(k)(4) states in relevant part that {if [a] motion for reconsideration has not been ruled upon by the court within 30 days from the date of the filing of the motion, or within 30 days of the date of filing of a response requested by the court, whichever is later, the motion shall be taken as denied.

. Shea v. State, Dept of Admin., Div. of Ret. & Benefits, 204 P.3d 1023, 1026 (Alaska 2009) (citing Dobrova v. State, Dept of Revenue, Child Support Servs. Div., 171 P.3d 152, 156 (Alaska 2007); Sheehan v. Univ. of Alaska, 700 P.2d 1295, 1297 (Alaska 1985)).

. Id. (citing Dobrova, 171 P.3d at 156) (internal quotation marks omitted).

. Parson v. State, Dept of Revenue, Alaska Hous. Fin. Corp., 189 P.3d 1032, 1036 (Alaska 2008) (citing Grimm v. Wagoner, 77 P.3d 423, 427 (Alaska 2003)).

. SLA 1972, ch. 78, § 1.

. I note that Alaskas probate limitations period by definition applies to most claims. Alaska Statute 13.06.050 defines claims to include lia bilities of the decedent or protected person, whether arising in contract, in tort, or in another way, and liabilities of the estate that arise at or after the death of the decedent or after the appointment of a conservator, including funeral expenses and expenses of administration but to exclude estate or inheritance taxes, or demands or disputes regarding title of a decedent or protected person to specific assets alleged to be included in the estate. (Emphasis added.)

. Claims arising before death, if not barred earlier by other statutes of limitations, are barred against the estate ... unless presented either (1) within four months after the date of the first publication of notice to creditors if notice is given in compliance with AS 13.16.450, or (2) within three years after the decedents death, if notice to creditors has not been published.

Alaska Statute 13.16.450, the notice provision, states in full:

Unless notice has already been given under this section, a personal representative upon appointment shall publish a notice once a week for three successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the judicial district announcing the appointment and address and notifying creditors of the estate to present their claims within four months after the first publication of the notice or be forever barred.

. AS 13.16.460(a).

. AS 13.16.460(b)(2).

. AS 13.16.460(b)(1). Section 460(c) provides further exceptions for mortgages, pledges, liens upon property, and tort claims covered by liability insurance.

. Alaska is apparently the only state that, having adopted the Uniform Probate Code, still retains the original U.P.C. §§ 3-801 and 3-803 notice and nonclaim provisions-codified at AS 13.16.450 and .460, respectively-in the wake of the 1988 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Tulsa Professional Collection Services, Inc. v. Pope, 485 U.S. 478, 108 S.Ct. 1340, 99 L.Ed.2d 565 (U.S.1988).

In Tulsa, the U.S. Supreme Court held that with respect to known or reasonably ascertainable probate creditors, publication notice violated due process and direct personal notice must be provided. 485 U.S. at 491, 108 S.Ct. 1340.

It remains unclear whether Tulsa applies to the U.P.C., since the Oklahoma statute at issue in Tulsa directed considerably more state action than did the equivalent U.P.C. provisions. Nonetheless, after Tulsa many state legislatures adopted rules requiring actual notice to probate creditors. These include Alabama, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, and Mississippi. See 755 AuaCope § 43-2-61 (1975); Inu. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/18-3, as amended by P.A. 86-815, § 1, eff. Sept. 7, 1989; Kan Stat. Ann. § 59-2239, amended by 2004 Kan. Sess. Laws, ch. 73, § 2 (2004); Ann, Est. & Trusts §§ 7-103, 7-103.1; Minn.Stat. Ann § 524.3-801(b), as amended by 1989 Minn. Laws, c. 163, § 1 (1989) (subsequent amendments omitted); Miss.Cope Ann § 91-7-145, amended by 1994 Miss. Laws, ch. 430, § 1 (March 17, 1994); see also Martel v. Stafford, 157 Vt. 604, 603 A.2d 345, 349 n. 8 (1991) (Maryland law now requires personal notice to creditors, although the requirement was added after the [Tulsa] decision.); In re Estate of Petrick, 635 So.2d 1389, 1393 (Miss.1994) (The Mississippi statute, enacted shortly after [Tulsa }, clearly requires an administratrix to give creditors who can be discovered through reasonably diligent efforts notice by mail and notice by publication.).

Moreover, Alaska appears to be alone in retaining original U.P.C. notice and nonclaim provisions post-Tulsa. Alaska has adopted other U.P.C. revisions, such as the 1990 Revision of U.P.C. Article II and the 1989 Revision of U.P.C. Article VI. See, eg., AS 13.12.802 (U.P.C. § 2-802, a part of Article II), SLA 1996, ch. 75, § 3; AS 13.33.101 (U.P.C. § 6-101, a part of Article VI), SLA 1996, ch. 75, § 12, amended by SLA 2008, ch. 100, § 3. These recent amendments indicate that the Alaska legislature has adopted various updated provisions of the U.P.C., just not the notice or nonclaim provisions.

I do not address the sufficiency of publication notice here because neither party explicitly raises this issue on appeal; Marys attorney mentioned Tulsa in a cursory manner in an affidavit supporting Marys petition for extension. The issue, if it was presented at all in the superior court, would be deemed waived on appeal. See Mullins v. Oates, 179 P.3d 930, 941 n. 31 (Alaska 2008) (quoting Brandon v. Corr. Corp. of Am., 28 P.3d 269, 280 (Alaska 2001) (cursory treatment of an issue is considered by this court to be waiver of that issue)). Nonetheless, I note that the legislature may wish to revisit AS 13.16.450 and .460 in light of Tulsa.

. Presentation of a claim is sufficient to commence a proceeding. AS 13.16.455 provides that {flor purposes of any statute of limitations, the proper presentation of a claim under AS 13.16.465 is equivalent to commencement of a proceeding on the claim.

. AS 13.16.455 provides in relevant part that {the running of any statute of limitations measured from some other event than death and advertisement for claims against a decedent is suspended during the four months following the decedents death but resumes thereafter as to claims not barred pursuant to the sections that follow.

. AS 13.16.455 corresponds to U.P.C. § 3-802. The comment to this U.P.C. section provides that the first of the [applicable statutes of limitations] to accomplish a bar controls. Also, Alaskas nonclaim statute explicitly provides that claims arising before death are barred unless presented within four months of the date of first publication of notice to creditors, or within three years of death if notice is not published, if not barred earlier by other statute[s] of limitations. AS 13.16.460(a) (emphasis added).

. A conservator generally assumes fiduciary duty. See, e.g., H.C.S. v. Cmty. Advocacy Project of Alaska, Inc. ex rel. H.L.S., 42 P.3d 1093, 1096 (Alaska 2002) (quoting a since-amended statutory passage applicable to a conservator, guardian of property, or other like fiduciary ) (emphasis added).

. A claims accrual date denotes the date on which the underlying event that triggers the claim occurred.

. Alaska Statute 13.16.395 provides in relevant part that [if the exercise of power concerning the estate is improper, the personal representative is liable to interested persons for damage or loss resulting from breach of fiduciary duty to the same extent as a trustee of an express trust. We have held that to impose liability under section 395, there must be findings that (1) there was an improper exercise of power, (2) there was damage or loss to the party to whom the personal representative is liable, and (3) this damage or loss resulted from a breach of a fiduciary duty. Gudschinsky v. Hartill, 815 P.2d 851, 853 (Alaska 1991) (internal quotation marks omitted).

This third claim could also be interpreted as an action to surcharge Michael as personal representative, see AS 13.16.485 (Issues of liability as between the estate and the personal representative individually may be determined in a proceeding for accounting, surcharge, or indemnification or other appropriate proceeding), although the underlying tort would be the same.

. Because Marys first and second claims concern monthly support and home improvements connected to Marys care of Marjorie under the Minnesota conservatorship order, the last possible accrual date for these claims is Marjories death-even though these claims, as discussed here, are asserted against Andrew Sr.s estate.

. Alaska Statute 13.16.460(b) provides:

All claims against a decedents estate that arise at or after the death of the decedent ... are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and devisees of the decedent, unless presented as follows:

(1) a claim based on a contract with the personal representative, within four months after performance by the personal representative is due;

(2) any other claim, within four months after it arises.

. Alaska Statute 13.16.460(a) governs claims against a decedents estate that arose before the death of the decedent, and provides that such claims,

if not barred earlier by other statute of limitations, are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and devisees of the decedent, unless presented as follows:

(1) within four months after the date of the first publication of notice to creditors if notice is given in compliance with AS 13.16.450; however, claims barred by the nonclaim statute at the decedents domicile before the first publication for claims in this state are also barred in this state;

(2) within three years after the decedents death, if notice to creditors has not been published.

. Although it functions similarly to a statute of limitations, the probate nonclaim statute, AS 13.16.460, is not itself generally referred to as a statute of limitations. See Hitt v. J.B. Coghill, Inc., 641 P.2d 211, 212-13 (Alaska 1982) (Statutes such as § 460 are commonly called non-claim statutes although they function similarly to statutes of limitations.); see also 1 Unirorm Prosats Cope Practices Manuar 325 (2d ed. 1977) (distinguishing between nonclaim provisions and statutes of limitation: [The regular statute of limitations applicable during the debtors lifetime, the nonclaim provisions of Sections 3-803 and 3-804, and the three-year limitation of Section 3-803 all have potential application to a claim. The first of the three to accomplish a bar controls.); id. at 328 ([I)t is important to remember that a regular statute of limitation may run to bar a claim before the nonclaim provisions run.). As such, I interpret the superior courts denial of Marys petition for extension at face value-namely, I interpret the superior courts order as denying the petition for extension on the basis that the claims are barred by statutes of limitations, not on the basis of preclusion of claims by the probate nonclaim statute.