Suzanne C. Dimeff and the Oleta Cowan Trust, Appellants v. Estate of Robert Merle Cowan and Dale Dolifka, Personal…

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed orders enforcing a probate-approved settlement that assigned Robert Cowan's interest in Exxon Valdez litigation attorney's fees to his estate. It held that the superior court had jurisdiction over the settlement parties, could interpret and enforce the agreement without an evidentiary hearing because no such hearing was requested and no genuine factual dispute was shown, and properly enjoined claims directly seeking Cowan's share outside the federal interpleader action. The orders did not bar Suzanne Dimeff's separate compensation claims against the law firm or joint venture, and the later modification did not expand the original ruling.