What is a will? The court’s acceptance of a will for safekeeping
in no way insures the validity of any provision
A will is a document in which a person tells contained in the will, nor does it enhance the
how his or her property is to be distributed force or effect of the will.
Depositing
after death. The testator is the person making
the will.
What is the procedure for
Does the court have a form for depositing a will?
wills?
Your
You must take your completed will to the
clerk’s office in a state court. When you
No. The court does not provide forms for deposit a will, the court clerk will ask you to
wills. Some of the laws about making a will are sign an Agreement and Receipt for Deposit
very technical. If you want to make a will, you of Will. This agreement lists the names and
Will
may want to consult with a lawyer. If you want addresses of the persons who may receive a
to hire a lawyer but you don’t know whom to copy of the will upon your death. The court
contact, the Alaska Bar Association provides clerk will give you a receipt for the will.
a lawyer referral service at the following
numbers: The court will not contact the person(s)
In Anchorage: 272-0352 designated to receive a copy of your will. It is
Toll free number: 800-770-9999 your responsibility to be sure the appropriate
person(s) know you have deposited your will
with the court and that they should contact the
Why would I deposit my will court upon your death.
with the court?
Depositing wills for safekeeping is governed Is there a charge for
Answers to Questions You by Alaska Statutes 13.12.515, 13.26.285, and depositing a will?
Probate Rule 5. (It is not required by law
May Have When Depositing that a will be deposited with the court.) If Yes. There is a fee of $40.00. If you are a
you deposit your will with the court, it will guardian or conservator depositing the will
Your Will with the Court for be kept in a secure place, and the will is kept of your protected person or ward after that
Safekeeping confidential by the court until you die. After person has died (under AS 13.26.285(e)), there
you die, your will is no longer confidential and is no fee.
it becomes a public court record. Also, even
though your will itself is confidential while you Where do I deposit my will?
are living, the fact that you deposited your will
for safekeeping is not confidential, and others Your will can only be deposited at a superior
may search electronically for the names of court location. A list of superior court
Published by The Alaska Court System people who have deposited wills. locations is at the end of this pamphlet.
PUB-14WEB
(2/07) 1 2
Superior Court Locations That
Accept Wills For Deposit
If you live in an area served by a district or Can I add or change ANCHORAGE: KODIAK:
magistrate court, you can give your will to
the court clerk. You will be asked to sign provisions in my will without Probate Office
303 K Street, Room 239
204 Mission Road,
Room 124
the Agreement and Receipt for Deposit removing and altering my Anchorage, AK 99501 Kodiak, AK 99615
of Will form and pay a $40.00 deposit fee. original will deposited with 264-0433 486-1600
The contents of your will do not need to be
disclosed. The court clerk will forward your the court? BARROW:
P O Box 270
KOTZEBUE:
P O Box 317
will, the deposit fee, and the signed agreement Barrow, AK 99723 Kotzebue, AK 99752
Yes. You can submit an additional
and receipt to the clerk of court of the closest 852-4800 442-3208
document amending your will, which is
superior court by certified or registered mail.
called a codicil. A codicil may be deposited BETHEL: NOME:
Your will is kept at the superior court location.
with the original will without an additional P O Box 130 P O Box 1110
charge. An additional Agreement and Bethel, AK 99559 Nome, AK 99762
Can I remove my will at a later Receipt for Deposit of Will should be 543-1105 443-5216
time and make changes in it? completed. FAIRBANKS: PALMER:
101 Lacey Street 435 South Denali
Yes. When you show proper identification, What happens to my will Fairbanks, AK 99701 Palmer, AK 99645
you may withdraw your will. You must 452-9256 746-8101
complete a Request for Deposited Will, and upon my death?
JUNEAU: PETERSBURG:
the clerk will note when the will was released to
The clerk will mail a copy of your will to the P O Box 114100 P O Box 1009
you. Juneau, AK 99811 Petersburg, AK 99833
designated person(s) upon notification of
463-4707 772-3824
your death by your lawyer or the designated
Your written permission is required to person(s).
authorize someone else to withdraw or KENAI: SITKA:
125 Trading Bay Drive 304 Lake Street,
view your will while you are still alive. The
Reminder: It is your responsibility to be Suite 100 Room 203
authorized person must show proper Kenai, AK 99611 Sitka, AK 99835
sure the designated person(s) know that
identification to the clerk before he or she can 283-8502 747-3291
upon your death they must contact the court
see or take custody of your will.
and request your will. The original will must KETCHIKAN: VALDEZ:
be kept on file as a public document. When 415 Main Street, Room 400 P O Box 127
If a will is released, there will be no charge a probate case is opened, the clerk will put Ketchikan, AK 99901 Valdez, AK 99686
for returning the old will or a new will for the will in the probate file. If a probate case 225-3195 835-2266
safekeeping. A new Agreement and Receipt is filed in a different court location, the clerk
for Deposit of Will should be completed. WRANGELL:
will transfer your will to that other court. P O Box 869
The clerk will keep a copy of the will in the Wrangell, AK 99929
location in which you deposited it. 874-2311
For more information about this publication, please call the
Alaska Court System Administrative Office at
(907) 264-8240
820 West Fourth Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
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