The Alaska last will and testament is an official document that enables the testator—the individual who made the will—to specify how they want their estate to be managed after they pass away. A testator can choose someone they trust to handle the settlement of their affairs, name a guardian to look after their children, and distribute possessions by means of a will.

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A Last Will and Testament serves as a written directive that specifies how you want your assets and money to be distributed to your loved ones. This makes your ultimate preferences known, expedites the probate procedure, and lessens uncertainty for the executor of your estate.

Alaska Will Signing Requirements

Will Signing Requirements: The will must be in writing and must be signed by the testator or in the testator’s name by another individual in the testator’s conscious presence and by the testator’s direction. ¹

Holographic Wills in Alaska

Holographic wills are recognized in Alaska, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator’s handwriting. ²

Alaska Will Witness Requirements

Will Witnessing Requirements: The will must be signed by at least two individuals, each of whom signs within a reasonable time after either the witnessing the signing of the will or upon the testator’s acknowledgment of that signature on the will. ³ The witnesses should be competent to be a witness. The Alaska statute is unique in that it specifies that the signing of a will by an interested witness DOES NOT invalidate the will or a provision of it. This means the witness can be listed in the will as a beneficiary.

Alaska Self-Proved Wills

The will shall be considered self-proved if it is notarized after being signed by the testator as well as two witnesses. A will may be simultaneously executed, attested, and made self-proved, by acknowledgment of the will by the testator and affidavits of the witnesses. ⁴

Revoking An Alaska Will

An Alaska last will and testament can be revoked by codicil or by the testator performing a revocatory act on the will. Revocatory acts include burning, tearing, canceling, obliterating, or destroying the will or any part of it. ⁵

Summary of Alaska Will Requirements

Anyone 18 years of age or older and of sound mind can write and sign a will in Alaska. The will should be witnessed by two persons who can be mentioned in the will as beneficiaries. Provided that the will is signed by the testator and witnessed by two persons, the will is considered to be self-proved if it is notarized.