Is An Online Will Legally Valid in Alaska?

Yes, online wills are legally valid in Alaska. However, you must take steps beyond simply creating one online if you wish for it to hold up in court. Learn more about those rules below.

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Not to worry, FeedingBird will guide you every step of the way.

What Makes an Online Will Legally Valid in Alaska?

Under AS 13.12.502, a typed will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and signed by at least two witnesses who each sign within a reasonable time after witnessing the signing or the testator's acknowledgment of the will. You do not need to notarize the will to make it valid, but Alaska allows a notarized self-proving affidavit under AS 13.12.504 which prevents your witnesses from having to testify in court to validate the will.

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Alaska recognizes holographic wills. A handwritten will is valid without any witnesses, as long as the signature and the material provisions are in the testator's own handwriting.

What You Need to Know about Online Wills in Alaska

Estate laws can be complex and are different for each state. It's important to make sure your online will is structured correctly to meet the court’s requirements.

Alaska Property Laws

Alaska is not automatically a community property state, but it is one of a small number of states that lets married couples opt in to community property treatment through a written agreement. If that agreement does not exist, all property owned solely in your name is distributed according to your will, or, if you have none, under the state's intestate succession rules.

Alaska Probate

Most estates in Alaska go through the Superior Court. Smaller estates may qualify for a small estate affidavit if personal property is worth $50,000 or less and any vehicles are worth $100,000 or less.

Avoiding Probate in Alaska

Because probate can take time and involve court costs, people often want to avoid it altogether. Here are some ways you can do that.

• Place your assets in a revocable living trust. A living trust lets you keep control over your estate as the trustee, and names a successor trustee to manage how your estate is distributed after your death.

• Name beneficiary designations on financial and retirement accounts. A payable-on-death (POD) designation specifies who receives funds upon death, and a transfer-on-death (TOD) designation names a new owner for brokerage accounts.

• Hold property as joint tenants with right of survivorship, which passes automatically to the surviving owner without the need for probate proceedings.

Want to learn more about trusts? Discover what is included in a trust.