For anyone planning an estate in Alaska or settling one: what a will or trust costs, whether an estate needs probate, what executors and trustees are paid, and the taxes on an inheritance, each answered under Alaska law.
36 tools for Alaska
Probate in Alaska takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 2.1%AS 13.16.440 (court reviews reasonableness of compensation paid to agents/attorneys employed by the estate; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.3%AS 13.16.440 (court reviews reasonableness of compensation paid to agents/attorneys employed by the estate; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Alaska authorizes transfer on death deedsAS 13.48.010-.195Verified Jul 15, 2026: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.
Alaska allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle titleAlaska Stat. 13.33.401 (see also AS 28.10.275 (vehicles), AS 05.25.058 (boats)); enacted by ch. 12, SLA 2026 (CSSB 104(FIN))Verified Aug 25, 2026View source, filed through the Alaska Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
In Alaska, informal probate is availableAS 13.16.085, AS 13.16.110Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
In Alaska, the Superior Court for the State of Alaska appoints the personal representative and the Registrar issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableAS 13.16.085, AS 13.16.110Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
In Alaska, creditors have 4 monthsAS 13.16.460Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
When an estate owes more than it holds, Alaska pays the claims in 6AS 13.16.470Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
Alaska has no state income tax, so only the federal final Form 1040 is due for the decedentAS 43.20.012(a)(1)-(2) (Alaska Net Income Tax Act does not apply to an individual or a fiduciary); AS 43.20.010 (tax on individuals and fiduciaries) repealed by § 13, ch. 70, SLA 1975; AS 43.20.011(a)-(d) and AS 43.20.033/.035 (taxable income of fiduciaries) repealed by § 10, ch. 1, SSSLA 1980Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
In Alaska, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.1%AS 13.16.440 (court reviews reasonableness of compensation paid to agents/attorneys employed by the estate; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.3%AS 13.16.440 (court reviews reasonableness of compensation paid to agents/attorneys employed by the estate; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
Settling an estate in Alaska: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysAS 13.16.365, 13.16.370, 13.16.375Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsAS 13.16.450, 13.16.460, 13.16.465, 13.16.470, 13.16.475Verified Sep 15, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
Settling a trust in Alaska happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteAS 13.36 (Trust Administration; Alaska Trust Act)Verified Jul 15, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 30 daysAS 13.36.080, 13.36.100Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
After a death in Alaska, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $150,000AS 13.16.690Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 monthsAS 13.16.460Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.