Estate Planning for Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Property Owners

For most Kodiak Island Borough homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

For a Kodiak Island Borough property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court. The two tools that keep a Kodiak Island Borough home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the DNR Recorder's Office, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Skipping this planning step means the Superior Court decides who receives the property: a simple Alaska probate takes 4+ months and opens with $250 in court filing fees. Alaska also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Kodiak Island Borough

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Kodiak Island Borough property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the DNR Recorder's Office during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, an Alaska transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentAS 13.48.010-.195Verified Aug 24, 2026. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathAS 13.48.010-.195Verified Aug 24, 2026.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Kodiak Island Borough are recorded with the DNR Recorder's Office at 550 W 7th Ave, Ste 108, Anchorage, AK 99501-3564. Phone: 1-907-269-8876. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-3:30 PM.

The DNR Recorder's Office charges $20 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $25 to record in Kodiak Island Borough. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Kodiak Island Borough accepts electronic recording through CSC / Simplifile / ePN.

Recording Office Record

DNR Recorder's Office

Kodiak Recording District

Address

550 W 7th Ave, Ste 108Anchorage, AK 99501-3564

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-3:30 PM

E-recording

Available via CSC / Simplifile / ePNE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$20
Each additional page$5
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

AS 40.17.030(a)(10); 11 AAC 05.200

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Kodiak Island Borough

FirmJuneau, AK

49th Estate Planning

Serves the whole state

Juneau estate planning firm serving clients statewide through Alaska's First Judicial District and remotely across the state. Handles trust administration, probate, and estate administration after a death, including fiduciary guidance, asset collection and valuation, beneficiary notification, and distribution. Works on a flat-fee structure agreed before engagement.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawAsset Protection

Office
8800 Glacier Highway, Suite 222Juneau, AK 99801

FirmAnchorage, AK

Artio Law

Serves the whole state

Downtown Anchorage firm representing personal representatives and heirs through contested and uncontested probate in the Third Judicial District court, taking matters from anywhere in the state — Mat-Su Valley to Juneau to Utqiagvik. Also handles small-estate affidavits of collection, ancillary probate for out-of-state decedents, trust administration, and contested guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipGuardianship

Office
527 W 3rd AvenueAnchorage, AK 99501

Solo PracticeAnchorage, AK

Alaska Wills and Trusts (Constance A. Aschenbrenner)

Serves the whole state

Anchorage firm led by Constance A. Aschenbrenner, serving the Third Judicial District and clients statewide. Focuses on wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship, special-needs trusts, and Medicaid and elder-law planning. Runs recurring estate-planning workshops both in person and online.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawGuardianship

Office
P.O. Box 140842Anchorage, AK 99514

Solo PracticeJuneau, AK

Alaska Estate Plans

Serves the whole state

Juneau firm serving Alaskans statewide from Southeast Alaska's First Judicial District, sharing an office and phone line with Barnum Law Firm. Delivers flat-fee will and trust packages, each including a telephonic consultation with a staff attorney. Works largely by phone and video so rural and remote clients never travel.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
130 Seward StreetJuneau, AK 99801

Solo PracticeAnchorage, AK

Carlson Law Group, LLC

Serves the whole state

Anchorage general practice on G Street reaching clients across Alaska, from Wasilla and the Kenai Peninsula to Nome, Bethel, and Utqiagvik, with a second office in Dallas. Estate work covers wills, durable powers of attorney for finances, health care directives, transfer-on-death deeds, and funeral pre-planning. Runs matters remotely, which suits families in communities with no resident attorney.

PracticesEstate Planning

Office
645 G Street, Suite 100 #558Anchorage, AK 99501

FirmFairbanks, AK

Cook Schuhmann & Groseclose, Inc.

Since 1957 · Serves the whole state

Fairbanks general-practice firm operating in interior Alaska's Fourth Judicial District, founded in 1957. Estate practice covers wills, trusts, and probate alongside its tax and real-estate work. One of the largest and longest-established firms in interior Alaska.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planning

Office
714 Fourth Avenue, Suite 200Fairbanks, AK 99701
See all 13 firms serving Kodiak Island Borough →

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Legal Sources

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