Filing Bankruptcy in Alaska: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

Alaska is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Alaska (https://www.akb.uscourts.gov).

1 person: $85,817; 2 people: $112,548; 3 people: $112,548; 4 people: $142,136; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).

Alaska filers must use Alaska's exemptions. The statute says that in a bankruptcy case "only the exemptions under AS 09.38.010, 09.38.015(a), 09.38.017, 09.38.020, 09.38.025 and 09.38.030 apply."

Up to $72,900 of equity in property in Alaska used as the filer's principal residence (statutory base $54,000 in AS 09.38.010, as adjusted by regulation 8 AAC 95.030). The statute has no acreage limit; multiple owners share one exemption per living unit.

Up to $4,050 for one motor vehicle, but only if the vehicle's full value does not exceed $27,000 (statutory base $3,000 / $20,000 in AS 09.38.020(e), as adjusted by 8 AAC 95.030).

None. The exemptions that apply in bankruptcy (AS 09.38.010-.030) do not include a general exemption for property of the filer's choosing; the personal property exemptions in AS 09.38.020 are limited to specific categories (household goods, jewelry, tools of the trade, pets, one vehicle).

The filer's interest in a retirement plan, and money payable from it, is exempt. "Retirement plan" covers plans qualified under 26 U.S.C. 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 409, 414(d), 414(e) or 457, IRAs and Roth IRAs, and Alaska's teachers', judicial, public employees' and elected officers' retirement systems. Contributions made within 120 days before filing for bankruptcy are not exempt.

Weekly net earnings up to $473 are exempt (statutory base $350 in AS 09.38.030(a), as adjusted by 8 AAC 95.030); the court booklet notes this can rise to $743 per week for a filer who is the sole support of a household (AS 09.38.050(b)). A person not paid weekly, semi-monthly or monthly may instead exempt $1,890 per month in cash and liquid assets.

The court offers Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) for people filing Chapter 7 or 13 without a lawyer, a "Filing on Your Own" page, and a page on claiming Alaska exemptions on Schedule C.

District of Alaska (the state's only bankruptcy district): under AK LBR 2016-1(h)(3), in a chapter 13 case the attorney fees and expenses set out in paragraph 3(c) of the chapter 13 plan (AK LBF 5) are deemed approved on confirmation, with no separate fee application, if the total fees and costs to be paid, including any prepetition retainer applied and the chapter 13 filing fee, do not exceed $5,000.00 in consumer (non-business) cases or $6,500.00 in business (non-consumer) cases. If the plan does not pay allowed claims in full, any party in interest (including the U.S. trustee) may object before confirmation, and a fee application must then be filed and approved. Attorneys paid under this rule are not obligated to represent the debtor in adversary proceedings unless agreed. Fees above the approved amount require a supplemental fee application with an itemized statement.