{"id":371469,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:20","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alaska-law\/alaska-wills-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-04-17T16:05:57","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T21:05:57","slug":"alaska-wills-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alaska-law\/alaska-wills-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Alaska Wills Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alaska Wills Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A will is a legally binding document in which the testator<\/i><\/a> (the person to whom the estate applies) designates his or her belongings to family members, loved ones, and other beneficiaries after his or her death. State laws on wills<\/a> outline certain restrictions, such as age limits, witness requirements, and other rules for creating a valid will. For instance, some states do not recognize handwritten (holographic) or oral (nuncupative) wills at all, while others allow them in certain circumstances. The estates of those who die without a valid will are sorted out in probate court.<\/p>\r\n

Wills Law in Alaska: Overview<\/h2>\r\n

The state of Alaska requires testators to be at least 18 and must have the will signed by at least two witnesses. Oral wills are valid if they pertain to mariners at sea or military service members in active duty.<\/p>\r\n

Additional details of Alaska’s laws concerning wills are listed below. See FindLaw’s Making a Will<\/a> section for additional articles or click here<\/a> to create will in Alaska.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code Section<\/td>\r\n13.12.501, et seq.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Age of Testator<\/td>\r\n18 years or older and of sound mind.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Number of Witnesses<\/td>\r\nSigned by at least 2 individuals, each of whom signs within a reasonable time after the witness witnesses either the signing of the will as described in (2) or the testator’s acknowledgment of signature or the will.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Nuncupative (Oral Wills)<\/td>\r\nValid for mariner at sea or soldier in the military service for personal property as he would have done by common law or by reducing the same to writing; proof must be made within 6 months of words spoken or reduced to writing within 30 days<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Holographic Wills<\/td>\r\nRecognized as valid if signature and material provisions are in handwriting of testator; does not need to be witnessed.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Revocation of a Will<\/td>\r\nA will or a part of a will is revoked: