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Preparing Your Own Will
An attorney is the best person to help you write your Will, but if no attorney is available you can write your own Will. This Classroom goes over the basics of what a will does, how your property would be distributed if you don't have a will, describes the contents of each section in a standard will, and provides Alaska specific information that is important to consider if writing your own will. A sample will is provided at the end of the classroom that can be used as a guideline in writing a will for yourself.
Inheriting ANCSA Stock
Summary of the Alaska statute governing the inheritance of Native Corporation shares.
Alaska Courts Self-Help Services: Probate
The Alaska Court System maintains a self-help site for those who represent themselves, or are simply looking for more information. The Probate section gives an overview of probate and step by step instructions. Forms required for the probate process can be downloaded here as well.
Questions and Answers Regarding Personal Representatives
This FAQ answers common questions about the role of a personal representative of an estate, as well as other information regarding the probate process.
Affidavit of Personal Collection Form
Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent form
Completing a Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney (POA) is one type of advance directive that allows you to authorize another person to act on your behalf. POA's are not just for people who are sick or old. If something happened to you and you ended up in the hospital, how would your bills get paid, or your other personal business taken care of? This series goes over the Power of Attorney form, including the options allowed and walks through filling out each section
Disposition of Remains Form
Many people leave funeral instructions in their Will. However, as an alternative to leaving instructions in a Will, there is a special form called a “disposition document” in which you may provide directions for the handling of your remains. You can name a person to carry out your burial instructions and/or handle any other similar decision.
Formal Probate
The probate process in Alaska can be a relatively simple and methodical process, but there are times when an estate is complicated and will need to go through what is called a “formal” probate process in court. This Classroom gives and overview of the formal probate process and when it is needed, provides step by step guidelines for completing a formal probate petition, and provides information on additional forms that need to be filed for formal probate. Once a Personal Representative is appointed, the remainder of the probate process, whether formal or informal, follows the same steps. Those procedures can be found in the Basics of Probate Classroom, under "Procedures Following Appointment as Personal Rep."
How to Select an Agent or Trustee
Advice on choosing who should be your Power of Attorney, Personal Representative, trustee, or Advanced Health Care Directive agent.
The Basics of Probate
"Probate" is used to describe the legal process by which a deceased person’s affairs are settled and his property distributed to those who are entitled to receive it. This Classroom covers the basic issues involved in probate including the role of a personal representative, the special protections for family members, a review of the intestacy rules, which describe how an estate should be divided when there is no Will and the options to consider when deciding whether "to probate or not to probate." The second section discusses the actual probate process, from filing the probate petition to completing the work as the personal representative.
Transfer on Death Deed (TODD) in Alaska
This type of deed transfers the described real property when you die, subject to any liens or mortgages (or other encumbrances) on the property at the time of your death. Probate is not required.