Alaska charges no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so most residents only need to worry about the federal estate tax, which applies only to estates above $15 million in 2026. A valid Alaska will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and signed by two witnesses, or entirely handwritten under the state holographic will rule.
Building an estate plan in Alaska starts with a will, but a complete plan usually adds a durable power of attorney, a health care directive, and, for some families, a trust. Alaska also offers an optional community property election for married couples and recognizes domestic asset protection trusts, two features that set it apart from most other states. If you have not started yet, FastWill's online will builder walks you through each Alaska requirement step by step.
Does Alaska Have an Estate Tax or Inheritance Tax
No. Alaska repealed its state estate tax years ago and has never imposed an inheritance tax. That means an Alaska resident's heirs owe nothing to the state simply for inheriting property. The only tax exposure comes from the federal estate tax, which reaches only estates above the federal exemption amount ($15 million per person for deaths in 2026). Very few Alaska families come close to that number, but if your estate includes a business, real estate outside the state, or significant investments, it is worth confirming your total value with an accountant before you assume you are in the clear.
How to Make a Valid Will in Alaska
Under Alaska Statutes 13.12.502, a will must be in writing, signed by the testator (or by someone else at the testator's direction and in their presence), and signed by two witnesses within a reasonable time after they watch the testator sign or hear the testator acknowledge the signature. Alaska is also one of the states that recognizes holographic (handwritten) wills: if the signature and the material provisions are in your own handwriting, the document can be valid even without witnesses. That said, an unwitnessed handwritten will is far more likely to be challenged in probate, so most Alaskans are better served by a properly witnessed will.
- Be at least 18 years old and of sound mind
- Sign the will yourself or direct someone to sign for you in your presence
- Have two witnesses sign after watching you sign or acknowledge the will
- Name an executor and, if you have minor children, a guardian
What Happens if You Die Without a Will in Alaska
If you die intestate, meaning without a valid will, Alaska law decides who inherits, not you. Generally, a surviving spouse inherits everything if you have no children or if all your children are also the spouse's children. If you have children from outside that marriage, the estate is split between the spouse and your children according to a statutory formula. Unmarried partners, close friends, and charities receive nothing under intestacy, no matter how close the relationship was. That single fact is usually enough to convince most people to write a will.
Trusts and Probate in Alaska
Alaska probate is handled through the state court system and can take several months, longer if the estate is contested or includes real property in more than one state. A revocable living trust lets assets bypass probate entirely, which keeps the transfer private and often faster. Alaska is also unusual in recognizing domestic asset protection trusts, an irrevocable trust structure that can shield assets from certain future creditors while still allowing the person who created it to benefit from the funds. That tool is worth a conversation with an Alaska estate attorney if you run a business or work in a high liability profession.
Not everyone needs a trust. Many Alaskans are well served by a will paired with payable-on-death designations on bank accounts and beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance, both of which transfer outside of probate automatically. Learn the tradeoffs in our guide to the difference between a will and a trust.
Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives
A durable financial power of attorney lets someone you trust manage your bank accounts, pay bills, and handle property if you become incapacitated, without a court-supervised guardianship. A health care directive (sometimes called an advance directive or living will) states your treatment preferences and names a health care agent to make medical decisions if you cannot. Both documents should be reviewed every few years and after any major life change, such as a marriage, divorce, or move.
If you recently moved to or from Alaska, review our guide on updating your will, trust, and power of attorney after a move, since witness and notarization rules differ by state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to write a will in Alaska
No. Alaska law does not require an attorney to draft or witness a will. You do need two qualified witnesses (or a fully handwritten document under the holographic will rule) for the will to be valid.
Does Alaska recognize handwritten wills
Yes. A holographic will is valid in Alaska if the signature and the material provisions are in the testator's own handwriting, even without witnesses. Because these are harder to prove in probate, a witnessed will is generally the safer choice.
Is there an Alaska inheritance tax on money I receive
No. Alaska does not tax inheritances at the state level. Beneficiaries only need to think about federal estate tax, and only if the deceased person's total estate exceeded the federal exemption.
What is Alaska community property and do I need it
Alaska offers an optional community property system that married couples can elect into for certain assets. It is not automatic like in states such as California or Idaho, and it mainly matters for capital gains tax planning, so most couples should discuss it with an estate planning attorney before opting in.
How often should I update my Alaska estate plan
Review your will, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations after any marriage, divorce, birth, death in the family, or major asset change, and at minimum every three to five years.
A clear will, the right powers of attorney, and a plan for your health care decisions cover most of what an Alaska estate plan needs. When you are ready to put yours in writing, FastWill's plans and pricing page lays out exactly what is included so you can pick the option that matches your situation.
