The figures on this page are general estimates. Laws, fees, thresholds, and prices differ by state and change often, and your own situation may change the result. Before you act, confirm the current numbers and rules for Alaska with a licensed professional — an attorney, tax advisor, or licensed agent as appropriate. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship.
This page is built to print. Use your browser's Print command and choose "Save as PDF" for a one-page Alaska reference. Every figure below is compiled from the statutes and state authorities listed at the bottom — the same sources cited on our Alaska probate pages.
Alaska probate fees
| Item | Alaska |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | A modest filing fee (roughly $75-$150) to open the case, plus per-document and certified-copy charges. |
| Attorney fees | Not statutory. Attorneys charge a flat fee or hourly rate; Alaska's informal probate keeps routine administrations relatively inexpensive. |
| Executor / personal representative fees | The personal representative is entitled to reasonable compensation under Alaska's UPC (AS 13.16.430). There is no fixed percentage; family representatives often waive the fee. |
| Fee basis | reasonable |
| Appraisal / referee | Not used. Alaska does not appoint a state appraiser. The personal representative prepares an inventory and may hire appraisers as needed (AS 13.16.365). |
Worked example
On a typical $400,000 Alaska estate, a reasonable executor fee commonly falls in the $8,000–$16,000 range (about 2%–4%), and higher if there is litigation, a business to run, or hard-to-find heirs. There is no fixed percentage — the probate court approves what is reasonable.
Alaska thresholds and deadlines
| Item | Alaska |
|---|---|
| Small-estate threshold | An heir can collect personal property by affidavit under AS 13.16.680 when other personal property is $50,000 or less and vehicles are $100,000 or less, with no real property in the estate. Summary administration is also available under AS 13.16.690 when the estate does not exceed the family and exempt-property allowances plus costs. |
| Creditor claim period | Claims are barred unless presented within 4 months after the first publication of notice to creditors, under AS 13.16.460; creditors who are never notified have up to 3 years from death. |
| Typical duration | About 6 to 12 months for a routine uncontested estate; the 4-month creditor claim window sets the practical floor. |
| Transfer-on-death deed | Alaska allows a transfer-on-death deed for real estate under the Alaska Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, AS 13.48. Owners can record a TOD deed naming a beneficiary; the property passes outside probate at death. |
What passes outside Alaska probate
These transfers are not part of the estate the fees above are calculated on:
- Beneficiary designations — retirement accounts, life insurance, payable-on-death accounts.
- Joint ownership with right of survivorship.
- Transfer-on-death deed — Alaska allows a transfer-on-death deed for real estate under the Alaska Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, AS 13.48. Owners can record a TOD deed naming a beneficiary; the property passes outside probate at death.
- Assets titled into a funded living trust.
Sources for this sheet
- Statutes: AS 13.16.430; AS 13.16.460; AS 13.16.680; AS 13.16.690; AS 13.48 (Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act)
- State authority: Alaska Court System (courts.alaska.gov)
- Small-estate threshold: https://law.justia.com/codes/alaska/title-13/chapter-16/article-12/section-13-16-695/
- Transfer-on-death deed: https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/probate/affidavit.htm
Compiled August 15, 2026 from the sources listed above. Fee schedules, thresholds, and court costs are amended by legislatures and courts — confirm each figure against the cited statute or the Alaska court before relying on it.
The full Alaska guides
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How Much Does Probate Cost in Alaska? — the full cost breakdown.
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How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Alaska? — the fee rule in detail.
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How Long Does Probate Take in Alaska? — the timeline and its statutory floor.
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How to Avoid Probate in Alaska — the transfers that pass outside it.
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How Much Does a Will Cost in Alaska? — execution requirements and pricing.
Fee sheets for other states
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This sheet sets out Alaska probate figures as published at the time of compilation. It is not legal advice. Figures and statutes change and their application depends on the specific estate. Confirm current figures with the Alaska courts or a licensed Alaska attorney.