Alaska Small Estate Affidavit

Updated August 3, 2026. Quick answer: Alaska lets a small estate be settled with a sworn affidavit, usable 30 days after death, and it is presented straight to the bank or holder — no court filing. Real estate: no — personal property only.

The verdicts

What the statute actually says

(a) Thirty days after the death of a decedent, any person indebted to the decedent or having possession of tangible personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action belonging to the decedent shall make payment of the indebtedness or deliver the tangible personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action to a person claiming to be the successor of the decedent upon being presented an affidavit made by or on behalf of the successor stating that (1) the entire estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, consists only of not more than (A) vehicles subject to registration under AS 28.10.011 with a total value that does not exceed $100,000; and (B) personal property, other than vehicles described in (A) of this paragraph, that does not exceed $50,000; (2) 30 days have elapsed since the death of the decedent; (3) no application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction; and (4) the claiming successor is entitled to payment or delivery of the property.

— AS 13.16.680

The dollar limit

Affidavit under AS 13.16.680: vehicles up to $100,000 total plus other personal property up to $50,000 (net of liens); 30-day wait; no PR appointed. Court form P-110.

All 51 limits, compared.

The form

There is an official free form. Form P-110 — Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent — published by the state, free to download. You should not pay anyone for this form.

The waiting period is the part that voids transfers

Using the instrument before its waiting period has run is the most common way one of these fails. A bank can refuse it, and a transfer made on a defective affidavit can be unwound — with the person who signed it personally exposed, because these are sworn statements made under penalty of perjury. Wait the full period and count from the date of death.

What could not be verified

Real property is excluded except property that passes automatically outside probate (tenancy by the entirety, Transfer on Death Deed). No court filing required; affidavit is given directly to holders of property.

When this route is the wrong one

• The estate is over the limit. Full administration applies, and using the small-estate route anyway does not make it valid.
• There is real estate and this route does not reach it. A house needs the instrument that can actually transfer title.
• Someone disputes it. These procedures assume agreement; a contested estate belongs in front of a judge.
• Debts exceed assets. Paying the wrong creditor first can make you personally liable.

Related: how the process works, step by step · affidavit versus summary administration.

General information drawn from state statutes and official court materials, not legal advice. Probate and small-estate procedure is STATE law and differs in every state; thresholds, waiting periods and forms change, and every figure here is sourced and dated. Using the wrong instrument, or using one before its waiting period has run, can make a transfer ineffective and can expose the person who signs the affidavit to personal liability. We are not a law firm and we sell no forms.