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Alaska estate administration

Alaska probate: rules, process, costs, executor fees and deadlines

Small-estate limit: $50,000

In Alaska, estates up to $50,000 can use the small-estate route; executor pay is whatever the court finds reasonable (AS 13.16.430); and claims are due four months after notice to creditors is first published. Alaska allows collection of a decedent's personal property by affidavit thirty days after death when the estate is within the statutory personalty and vehicle caps. Formal probate is filed in the Superior Court, and the statewide Administrative Rule 9 fee schedule sets a uniform filing fee.

Sources reviewed August 9, 2026. Sources rechecked October 3, 2026. This page last revised .

Answer first

Alaska simplified probate route

Up to $50,000; usable 30 days after death. Source: AS 13.16.680.

Collection of personal property by affidavit (AS 13.16.680)

No combined Alaska probate total

The Superior Court filing charge is statewide: $250 (Alaska R. Admin. 9 (Fee Schedule)). Executor pay is reasonable compensation (AS 13.16.430), not a rate. Each side in full: Alaska probate filing cost and Alaska executor fees.

Screen a specific Alaska estate with the calculators on the small-estate page, or compare states in the full estate navigator.

What the reviewed rules establish

Simplified route

$50,000

Collection of personal property by affidavit (AS 13.16.680); usable 30 days after death.

Eligibility and caveats

Executor compensation

Court-reviewed

No percentage schedule; the court decides what is reasonable. Source: AS 13.16.430.

Alaska Statute 13.16.430 entitles a personal representative to reasonable compensation for services. If a will fixes compensation and there is no contract with the decedent about it, the personal representative may renounce the will's provision (before qualifying) and take reasonable compensation instead, and may renounce all or part of the compensation by written renunciation filed with the court. No statutory percentage schedule exists.

AS 13.16.430, Compensation of personal representative (Alaska State Legislature).

The section’s own words
Sec. 13.16.430. Compensation of personal representative. A personal representative is entitled to reasonable compensation for services.

Alaska decision map

The four facts that change the Alaska route

Each Alaska answer below links to the page that sets out its source.

QuestionRecorded Alaska answer
What route is being screened?Collection of personal property by affidavit (AS 13.16.680)
What property and basis count?personal probate property only; net of enforceable liens and encumbrances.
What is the amount screen?$50,000
What is the time or deadline record?30 days after death; creditor deadlines: separate clocks by triggering event
What does the cost record establish?$250 is the recorded statewide amount.
What does compensation use?Reasonable compensation set by the court, measured on the estate accounting.

Limits and unresolved costs

  • Alaska's affidavit limit has two parts that add together: up to $100,000 of registered vehicles plus up to $50,000 of other personal property. An estate whose value is mostly vehicles can qualify even when it is worth more than $50,000.
  • Neither Alaska's printable statute page nor the court rules PDF shows when it was last amended, so confirm the figures with the court clerk before you file.

Continue

What Alaska courts publish

Each link goes to the court’s own page and is checked before every release.

Limits on court material

  • Alaska publishes statewide standardized P-series probate self-help forms through the Alaska Court System.
  • Probate is heard in the Superior Court (with magistrate judges handling some probate matters in smaller court locations).

Alaska primary sources

Each rule on the Alaska pages comes from one of these 4 sources; the citation opens the publisher’s own text. All were last rechecked October 3, 2026.

  1. Simplified-procedure rule

    AS 13.16.680, Collection of personal property by affidavit.

    Alaska State Legislature

  2. Executor compensation rule

    AS 13.16.430, Compensation of personal representative.

    Alaska State Legislature

  3. Creditor deadline rule

    AS 13.16.460, Limitations on presentation of claims.

    Alaska State Legislature

  4. Court cost rule

    Alaska R. Admin. 9 (Fee Schedule), Alaska Administrative Rule 9 - Fee Schedule (probate matters).

    Alaska Court System (Alaska Rules of Court)

Sources rechecked October 3, 2026: Alaska source list · how sources are checked · report a correction