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    Alaska guide

    What to do when someone dies in Alaska

    Alaska has no state income tax and a small estate affidavit for up to $100,000 in vehicles and $50,000 in other personal property. Families sometimes miss that any pending Permanent Fund Dividend payments may be payable to the estate. Probate runs through Superior Court.

    Content updated: October 2026

    What's unique in Alaska

    State-specific rules that affect how an estate is handled here.

    Superior Court probate

    Alaska probate is handled by Superior Court in the judicial district where the deceased lived. A small estate affidavit may be available if the estate has no more than $100,000 in vehicles and $50,000 in other personal property.

    No state income tax

    Alaska has no state income tax, which simplifies the financial side of settling an estate. Only federal obligations apply.

    Permanent Fund Dividend

    If your loved one was an Alaska resident receiving the annual Permanent Fund Dividend, there may be a pending dividend payable to the estate. Contact the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation to check.

    Elective share rights

    A surviving spouse in Alaska can elect one-third of the augmented estate.

    A glimpse at what Order covers in Alaska

    These are just a few of the Alaska-specific tasks Order surfaces automatically when you select your state.

    File for Alaska probate in Superior CourtLegal & Estate

    Small estate affidavit available for up to $100,000 in vehicles and $50,000 in other personal property — real property requires formal probate. File in the judicial district where the deceased lived.

    Check for pending Alaska Permanent Fund DividendFinancial Affairs

    Any unpaid annual dividend may be payable to the estate. Contact the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation — easy to miss if no one knew to look.

    Review Alaska elective share rightsLegal & Estate

    Surviving spouse can elect one-third of the augmented estate. Review before accepting the will's distribution.

    Plus dozens more tasks across all 8 categories: funeral arrangements, digital accounts, dependents, and more.

    Official resources for Alaska

    Alaska Court SystemFile probate in the Superior Court judicial district where the deceased livedAlaska Department of RevenueConfirm no state income tax obligations and check for any business filingsAlaska DMVTransfer vehicle titles to heirs using estate documentationAlaska Permanent Fund CorporationCheck for any unclaimed annual dividend payable to the estateAlaska Retirement Management BoardNotify the pension and claim any survivor benefit for state employeesAlaska Office of Veterans AffairsAccess AOVA state survivor programs and navigate burial eligibility at Fort Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage or Sitka National Cemetery

    What families commonly miss in Alaska

    • Families often forget to check for a pending Permanent Fund Dividend — if your loved one filed for a dividend in the current year but died before payment, the estate may be entitled to collect it.
    • Many surviving spouses do not realize the elective share is one-third of the augmented estate, which includes many assets outside the will.
    • Families handling an Alaska estate from out of state are often caught off guard by how much the geography matters — some documents require original physical signatures mailed to the correct Superior Court judicial district, not submitted electronically, which adds unexpected time to the process.

    Deeper reading

    Probate: what families need to know

    Probate rules vary significantly by state. Our full guide explains the process, timelines, and how to avoid common delays in Alaska.

    Military families in Alaska

    Alaska has additional veteran & survivor benefits

    • Contact Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs for survivor programs
    • Contact Fort Richardson or Sitka National Cemetery for burial

    Alaska-specific

    Start these Alaska-specific tasks in Order

    These tasks appear automatically in your checklist when you select Alaska as your state.

    File for Alaska probate in Superior CourtLegal & Estate

    File in Superior Court. Use the Alaska Court System probate self-help.

    Review Alaska community property opt-in rulesLegal & Estate

    Alaska allows opt-in community property for married couples

    Transfer vehicle at Alaska DMVLegal & Estate

    Submit title application for estate vehicle transfer

    Plus dozens more tasks added automatically for Alaska families.

    Order walks your family through every step, for Alaska and beyond.

    One-time purchase. Lifetime access. Unlimited family members. Everything your family needs, organized in one place.

    Covers all 50 states + DC · Jurisdiction-specific tasks added automatically

    See guides for other states

    Browse all 51 state guides Full guide: what to do when someone dies Back to home