Revocable Living Trusts in Alaska
How revocable living trusts work under Alaska law and the other ways to pass property without probate.
Short answer: Alaska has not adopted the Uniform Trust Code; trusts are governed by AS 13.36 (Alaska's trust administration statutes). AS 13.36.005, 13.36.340
| Revocable living trust | Alaska has not adopted the Uniform Trust Code; trusts are governed by AS 13.36 (Alaska's trust administration statutes). A revocable trust can be changed or revoked by substantially following the method in the trust, or by a signed writing (not a will) delivered to the trustee during the settlor's lifetime, unless the trust makes its own method exclusive. The trustee of a trust administered in Alaska has a statutory duty to register the trust with the court at its principal place of administration. Assets must be retitled to the trustee to be governed by the trust; trust assets pass under the trust terms without probate, while assets left outside the trust may still need probate or a small estate procedure. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: AS 13.36.005, 13.36.340 |
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| Ways to avoid probate | Non-probate options in Alaska include: transfer-on-death deeds for real estate, recorded before death (AS 13.48.010-13.48.070); payable-on-death and joint survivorship bank accounts, which belong to the surviving party or POD payee (AS 13.33.212); transfer-on-death registration of securities and brokerage accounts (AS 13.33.301 and following); property in a funded revocable trust (AS 13.36.340); and the small estate affidavit for up to $100,000 in vehicles plus $50,000 in other personal property (AS 13.16.680). Re-verified and corrected 2026-10-27. |
More Alaska estate law
- Medical Power of Attorney in Alaska
- Small Estate Affidavit in Alaska
- Power of Attorney in Alaska
- Quitclaim Deeds and Transferring Property in Alaska
- Who Inherits If You Die Without a Will in Alaska
- How to Make a Valid Will in Alaska
- How Probate Works in Alaska
- Living Wills and Advance Directives in Alaska
- Executor Duties in Alaska
- Letters Testamentary in Alaska
- Affidavit of Heirship in Alaska
- How to Avoid Probate in Alaska
- Transferring a Car After Someone Dies in Alaska
- All Alaska wills, probate and estate rules
FAQ
How do living trusts work in Alaska?
Alaska has not adopted the Uniform Trust Code; trusts are governed by AS 13.36 (Alaska's trust administration statutes). A revocable trust can be changed or revoked by substantially following the method in the trust, or by a signed writing (not a will) delivered to the trustee during the settlor's lifetime, unless the trust makes its own method exclusive. The trustee of a trust administered in Alaska has a statutory duty to register the trust with the court at its principal place of administration. Assets must be retitled to the trustee to be governed by the trust; trust assets pass under the trust terms without probate, while assets left outside the trust may still need probate or a small estate procedure.
How can you avoid probate in Alaska?
Non-probate options in Alaska include: transfer-on-death deeds for real estate, recorded before death (AS 13.48.010-13.48.070); payable-on-death and joint survivorship bank accounts, which belong to the surviving party or POD payee (AS 13.33.212); transfer-on-death registration of securities and brokerage accounts (AS 13.33.301 and following); property in a funded revocable trust (AS 13.36.340); and the small estate affidavit for up to $100,000 in vehicles plus $50,000 in other personal property (AS 13.16.680).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.