The Alaska Last Will and Testament is a document that is created by the Testator to ensure that personal and real property will be properly distributed upon the death of the testator, to their intended family members, friends or anyone with whom they wish to leave all or a portion of their personal property. The testator must create the document while they are of sound mind. This document will require two witnesses and must be acknowledged by a notary.
Definition – AS 13.12.921(2)
Laws – Chapter 12 (Intestacy, Wills, and Donative Transfers)
Signing (AS 13.12.502) – Two (2) Witnesses. Recommended for them to be disinterested which means they are not beneficiaries of the will (meaning do not benefit upon the death of the will-maker).
How to Write
Step 1 – Testator – Enter the full legal name of the testator (the person for whom the will is being established) and the following:
- Name of Testator
- City where the testator resides
- County where the testator resides
- Testator must carefully read and review the remainder of the paragraph as well as “Expenses and Taxes”
Step 2 – Appointment of Personal Representative –
- Enter the name of the representative
- City
- County
- State
Alternate Representative – in the event the initial representative becomes unable or unwilling to serve as representative to the estate
- Name of the alternate
- City where alternate resides
- County of residence
- State of residence
Step 3 – Disposition of Property –
Beneficiaries –
- Full name
- Address
- Relation to testator
- Enter the last four digits of SSN
- Describe property gifted to each
Step 4 – Testator must carefully review each titled section as follows:
- Omission
- Bond
- Discretionary Powers of Personal Representative
- Contesting Beneficiary
- Guardian Ad Litem Not Required
- Gender
- Assignment
- Governing Law
- Binding Arrangement
Step 5 – Signatures and Witnesses – All signing parties must be present prior to any signing of this documentation.
- Enter the testator’s name
- Date testator’s signature in dd/mm/yyyy format
- Testator Signature
- Testator (Printed Name)
Witnesses – Must read the brief statement –
- Date the document in dd/mm/yyyy format
- Enter the name of the testator
Witness 1 –
- Witness Signature
- Physical Address
Witness 2 –
- Witness Signature
- Physical Address
Step 6 – Testament Affidavit – All parties must review the affidavit and complete the following:
- State
- County
- Name of testator
- Name of Witness 1
- Name of Witness 2
- Next, enter the signatures of the same
- Testator Signature
- Witness 1 Signature
- Witness 2 Signature
Step 7 – Notarization – As the notary public has witnessed all signatures they will complete the remainder of the document.
