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Alaska Probate Glossary

Plain language definitions of the words an Alaska personal representative meets, drawn from the Alaska Court System's own probate glossary, forms and self-help pages. Four things set Alaska apart. Probate is always a Superior Court case, filed in the judicial district where the person lived. The small estate affidavit has two caps, $100,000 for registered vehicles and $50,000 for everything else, and any probate real property rules it out. A 'small estate' in court means an informal probate closed without a creditor process. And Alaska has no state estate tax. Use this page to decode probate language before you open forms, call the local filing office, or decide whether an estate needs court supervision.

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52 terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use a Alaska probate glossary instead of a general legal glossary?
Alaska probate procedure still uses many standard estate terms, but the way those terms appear on court forms, local instructions, and simplified procedures can vary. A state glossary helps families connect the definition to the actual filing path they are dealing with.
Which probate terms matter most at the start of an estate?
The most useful early terms are executor or personal representative, intestate, probate estate, letters testamentary, letters of administration, beneficiary, and small-estate procedure. Those concepts usually determine who can act and what kind of court filing is needed.
Can county rules change how probate terms are used in Alaska?
Yes. Counties may use different packet names, clerk instructions, or local references even when the statewide legal concept is the same. That is why it helps to read the glossary alongside county filing-office and forms pages.

Information current as of April 4, 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.

More Alaska Resources

Explore the rest of the Alaska probate hub.

Do I need probate?5 pages
For the executor4 pages
Money and taxes5 pages
Family and inheritance5 pages
Transfer assets5 pages
File and learn4 pages