It may seem like a negative conversation to talk about a will or what would happen to your estate after you pass away. However morbid as it may seem, you should start planning as soon as possible. Life can be uncertain, and it's better to have your Alaska last will and testament in place. It would help the court and your loved ones know about your wishes. Also, you could provide for your family and minors through a last will and testament. 

That is why you should spend a little time planning and managing your estate. It would help prepare for any uncertainty and avoid legal troubles for your family. Therefore, if you're ready to begin the process, here's what you should know about the requirements for an Alaska last will and testament.

‍

Table of contents

‍1. Requirements for an Alaska Last Will and Testament  ‍

2. Who can be your witnesses?

‍3. Alaska rules for a personal representative

4. Alaska Last Will and Testament Notarization

5. Last Will Revocation rules

6. Last Will Amendment rules

7. Alaska rules for divorce after making your last will

8. What happens if you don't have a will in Alaska?

9. Last Will and Testament Alaska free template

‍10. How can TrulyWill help with your online will?‍‍

Requirements for an Alaska Last Will and Testament 

• Written will: An Alaska last will and testament must be on paper to be legal. It won't be legal in audio, video, or other digital file forms. However, Alaska state allows holographic wills.
• Has to be of at least 18 or more years 
• Possess a sound mind and memory: The testator for an Alaska last will must understand the will-making procedure, nature of their assets and estate, and beneficiaries. For the last will to be legally enforceable, they must possess a sound mind and memory.
• Signing by the testator: To make it legal, you must sign your Alaska last will and testament before any two credible witnesses.
• Signing by the witnesses: You must get at least two witnesses for the last will. They should acknowledge the will and sign before the testator. 

Who can be your witnesses for an Alaska Last Will and Testament? 

Your witnesses for an Alaska last will must follow these conditions:

• Alaska permits any person who is competent to become a witness. 
• They must be able to testify about the will-making process and other details about the testator. 
• Furthermore, Alaska also allows beneficiaries to be witnesses for the last will and testament. 

Alaska rules for a personal representative or an executor 

Choosing an executor for your Alaska last will would be better than leaving it to uncertainty. However, an executor should follow these guidelines to be eligible for the role:

1. Must be at least 19 or above
2. Capable of performing the job, i.e., of a sound mind.
3. Alaska doesn't restrict people convicted of a felony from being executors.
4. Alaska allows you to choose someone out of state as your executor. 

Last will and Testament Notarization in Alaska 

There's no need to notarize your Alaska last will and testament. However, you should add a self-proving affidavit to the last will to speed up the probate process. Here's how you can do that:

• Find a notary public to make a self-proving affidavit for the will. 
• You and the witnesses must go to the notary and sign the affidavit, stating who you are and that you know you're signing a will.

Last Will Revocation in Alaska 

You could follow any of the following methods to revoke your Alaska last will and testament:

• Destroy your last will by tearing, burning, obliterating, and shredding.
• Asking someone to destroy the last will before you and two witnesses 
• Making a new legal will, which revokes any part or the entire previous will.

Last Will Amendment rules Alaska. 

If you wish to make some minor and simple changes to your Alaska last will, you can do it through a Codicil. It will allow you to introduce changes to your existing will and avoid revoking it.

However, you must follow the same guidelines to make a legal codicil as for an original will. If you want to make multiple amendments, it's better to make a new will that revokes the previous one.

Alaska rules for divorce after making your last will

• Alaska law revokes any gift you leave to your spouse.
• Revokes any appointment of your spouse as the trustee or executor 
• However, the provisions will stand if you state otherwise in your last will.

What happens if you don't have a will in Alaska?

Last Will and Testament Alaska Free Template

You can quickly create a simple estate plan by downloading a Last Will and Testament Alaska free template. It will be the best option if you don't have a large estate or complicated finances. You could check out the template and follow the necessary requirements to make your new Alaska last will and testament. Once you go through the details and follow the required steps:

1. Connect on TrulyWill and create your account.
2. Discuss any issues or complications about your finances and personal relationships with our attorneys.
3. Sign or notarize the document, depending on your state requirements. 

This template and sample last will and testament would allow you to examine what your will would look like. You can change the will template depending on your personal preferences for estate distribution. Here are some instances where it would be prudent to consult one of our attorneys before finalizing your will:

• You have a high net worth and considerable assets. 
• You have complicated family and personal relationships, affecting who would inherit the estate. 
• You have multiple financial obligations and other matters that are still open and would be the beneficiary's responsibility.
• You are not sure that the simple last will and testament template fulfills all your requirements for a will.

If you're facing any of these issues, it's essential to consult an expert before proceeding. They could personally help you out with any doubts and create a solid and legally enforceable Alaska last will and testament. 

How can TrulyWill help with an online Will and Testament? 

TrulyWill is the perfect option to create a hassle-free online last will. You could go to the platform from your home's comfort and make your online will and testament. Online wills are a straightforward process; you should opt for them rather than spend hours in a lawyer's office. Furthermore, the process is pretty simple; you just add details, review for mistakes, read the guidelines, and download. That's it!

What else can TrulyWill do?

TrulyWill helps fulfill your varying needs for a will. You can opt for a simple last will and testament online or seek professional help. We offer everything from one-on-one legal support to solve your will issues.

‍

Furthermore, you could opt for a trust-based plan depending on what suits you better. TrulyWill can help you figure out the process and help avoid substantial legal fees. So, you should go to the platform and get your online will in just a few minutes. 

FAQs

1. Do I need a lawyer to make my last will and testament? 

There's generally no need to get a lawyer to make your will. You could use an online platform and easily make it within minutes. Only some special cases, like complex family relations, may require you to consult an attorney. 

2. What would happen if someone passes away without a will?

The state's intestacy laws will be followed if someone dies without a will. The interested parties, like the spouse or children, would have to go through a probate process to get their share in the estate. 

3. Can I write down my wishes and consider them a legal will?

Several states do not allow a self-written will unless you've followed the requirements. It would always be better to create a legal will by following all your state rules.

4. Can my last will and testament be oral?

Only a few states consider an oral will legal only if it follows the rules. You would have to fulfill some criteria the state sets to be eligible to make an oral will. However, you shouldn't risk this to chance and create a solid, legal will on paper.

‍