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Alaska Asset Transfers After Death

How each kind of property in an Alaska estate actually moves to the people who receive it. Much of it never touches the court: survivorship accounts, beneficiary designations, trusts and recorded transfer on death deeds pass on their own. What is left in the decedent's sole name moves either by the small estate affidavit (form P-110), if the estate is within its two caps and holds no probate real property, or by a personal representative's letters from the Superior Court.

How the asset is titled decides how it transfers. Read every deed, title, account registration and beneficiary designation first. A joint account with survivorship goes to the surviving owner on a death certificate; the same account in the decedent's name alone needs letters or the affidavit. Alaska adds its own assets to the list: the Permanent Fund Dividend, ANCSA Native corporation stock, restricted Native allotments that pass through a federal BIA probate, and limited entry fishing permits.

Usually Outside Probate

These pass by title, contract or a recorded instrument, with no personal representative and no court file.

Needs Letters or the Affidavit

Property in the decedent's sole name with no survivorship and no beneficiary. Small estates without probate real property can use form P-110; everything else needs a personal representative.

Alaska Special Rules

Assets with their own transfer rules, often outside the Alaska probate court entirely.

Restricted Native allotments and townsite lots: federal BIA probate onlyANCSA Native corporation stock: stock will or the corporation's own rules, decided by the corporationLimited entry fishing permits: can pass to only one person; CFEC designation form

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Alaska real property is recorded by recording district at the Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office, a State office; a recording district is neither a borough nor a judicial district. Recording costs $20 for the first page and $5 for each additional page.

Pro Tips

  • -Find the legal description on the last recorded deed before preparing any new deed
  • -Use the DNR recording district finder; districts do not follow borough lines
  • -Real property in the decedent's sole name, no matter how small, rules out the small estate affidavit

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between probate and non-probate assets?
Probate assets are owned solely by the deceased with no designated beneficiary, requiring court supervision to transfer. Non-probate assets have built-in transfer mechanisms like beneficiary designations, joint ownership, or trust ownership.
What assets avoid probate in Alaska?
Assets that typically avoid probate include: life insurance with named beneficiaries, retirement accounts (401k, IRA) with beneficiaries, jointly owned property with right of survivorship, TOD (Transfer on Death) accounts, POD (Payable on Death) accounts, and assets held in a living trust.
What is a TOD or POD designation?
TOD (Transfer on Death) and POD (Payable on Death) are beneficiary designations that allow assets to pass directly to a named beneficiary upon death, bypassing probate.
Does joint ownership avoid probate?
Only joint ownership with "right of survivorship" avoids probate. This includes joint tenancy with right of survivorship and tenancy by the entireties (for married couples in some states).
SourcesOfficial references used for this page
  • Alaska Court System Self-Help Center, Probate: Transferring Ownership of Assets, Inventory and Management of Assets, Debts and Creditors, Transfer on Death Deed and Collecting Personal Property without a Court Case, read 2026-10-04
  • AS 13.16.680 and AS 13.16.685 as reprinted in Court System form P-110 (4/17); form P-150 (7/20)
  • Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles: Deceased Owner page (re-read 2026-10-04), Forms 827, V1 and 809, and title fee pages
  • Alaska Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office: Find Your District and Recording Fees

Information current as of April 11, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Alaska can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.

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