Alaska Small Estate Affidavit: $50,000 and $100,000 Vehicle Limits

Alaska lets a successor collect a deceased person's property without a court case under AS 13.16.680, but only when the whole estate, less liens and encumbrances, is made up of registrable vehicles worth no more than $100,000 and other personal property worth no more than $50,000. You must wait 30 days after the death.

Those are two separate limits, not one $150,000 figure, and the estate cannot include real property unless it passed automatically. For how other states compare, see our small estate affidavit rules by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-07. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Alaska's affidavit for collection of personal property under AS 13.16.680 and 13.16.685, the summary administration and closing procedures in AS 13.16.690 and 13.16.695, court-directed settlement under AS 13.16.700, and the Alaska DMV deceased-owner process. It does not cover full probate administration, who inherits under Alaska intestacy rules, estate tax, or the law of any other state.

Alaska's two limits

The statute requires that "the entire estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, consists only of not more than" two kinds of property:

"(A) vehicles subject to registration under AS 28.10.011 with a total value that does not exceed $100,000; and (B) personal property, other than vehicles described in (A) of this paragraph, that does not exceed $50,000"

Each category is measured on its own. A $90,000 truck does not reduce the $50,000 allowed for everything else, and $20,000 of spare vehicle room does not stretch the $50,000 limit.

Both figures are fixed dollar amounts in the statute, with no inflation indexing.

What counts toward the limits

Vehicles. The Alaska Court System's affidavit self-help page says the vehicle category covers vehicles that must be registered in Alaska. "It does not include snowmachines, ATVs, tractors, off-road equipment or boats." Because the $50,000 category covers personal property "other than vehicles described in (A)," those items appear to fall under the $50,000 limit instead.

Nonprobate property. The same page says the limits do not include "nonprobate property which passes automatically to someone without a probate (for example a joint bank account)."

Real property. The affidavit is available only if "The person who died did not own any real property (land or buildings attached to land), no matter how small the value of the real property, or they had real property but it passed automatically to someone else because they were tenants by the entirety or there was a Transfer on Death Deed." The court's Transferring Ownership page adds two more ways real property passes without probate: held by both spouses as Alaska community property with a right of survivorship, or held by a trustee in trust. Otherwise, a small cabin lot is enough to rule the affidavit out.

How long do you have to wait?

Thirty days. Section 13.16.680 requires the affidavit to state that "30 days have elapsed since the death of the decedent," and holders must pay or deliver only after that point.

Who can sign the affidavit?

A successor. AS 13.06.050 defines a successor as "a person, other than a creditor, who is entitled to property of a decedent under the decedent's will or AS 13.06 - AS 13.36." The court self-help page explains that in practice this is the personal representative named in a will, a beneficiary under the will, or an heir if there is no will. The affidavit may be made by or on behalf of the successor.

Creditors cannot use it, and the statute gives a surviving spouse no special priority over other successors.

The affidavit must state that the claiming successor is entitled to the property and that "no application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction."

Step by step: using form P-110

1. Wait 30 days after the death.
2. List the estate. Confirm there is no real property (other than property that passed automatically), that registrable vehicles total $100,000 or less, and that other personal property totals $50,000 or less, each less liens and encumbrances.
3. Confirm no probate case has been requested or opened anywhere.
4. Get the court form. The Alaska Court System publishes Form P-110, Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent, through its self-help page.
5. Sign it under oath. The court says, "You can do this before a notary or a court clerk."
6. Give a copy to each holder. Successors can collect property "without filing anything with the court."

What the affidavit can collect

Section 13.16.680 requires anyone owing money to the decedent or holding the decedent's property to pay the debt or "deliver the tangible personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action." A transfer agent must change the registered ownership of securities to the successor. The court lists cash, checks, bank accounts, the PFD, furnishings, jewelry, artwork, tools and equipment as examples.

Vehicles at the DMV. The Alaska DMV deceased-owner page accepts Form 827, Affidavit for an Estate with Assets of $150,000 or Less, or a similar notarized statement with all required information. The affidavit must state that vehicle assets are worth no more than $100,000, other personal property no more than $50,000, at least 30 days have passed since the death, no probate case has been filed or granted anywhere, and the signer is the successor entitled to the vehicle. The DMV also requires the affidavit to be notarized, the original to be submitted, and the VIN to be written on it.

The DMV's $150,000 is the two statutory limits added together. The statute itself has no combined $150,000 cap, so an estate with $60,000 of non-vehicle property does not fit even if its total is lower.

Two other DMV points: if the title lists the decedent and another owner joined by "OR," the surviving owner can release the title with no additional documents. If the owners are joined by "AND," or the decedent was the sole owner, the vehicle becomes part of the estate and needs the affidavit or a probate case.

Since July 1, 2026, an Alaska vehicle or boat title can also name a transfer on death beneficiary (AS 13.33.401, added by SB 104). If the title shows "TOD," the vehicle passes to the named beneficiary outside the estate, who files a DMV form with a certified copy of the death certificate and a fee. It is not collected with the affidavit. A successor must title the vehicle in their own name before selling or transferring it, and a lost title is replaced with Form 809.

The Permanent Fund Dividend. The court system says "a successor under an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property can collect or apply for a PFD for a person who died." The PFD Division allows an estate application only in set cases: the person died during the qualifying year after at least 180 days as a resident and received the prior year's dividend, or died during the January 1 to March 31 application period before applying, and was otherwise eligible. The application needs a copy of the affidavit or court document and the death certificate, and "The Estate application must be filed by March 31 of the year following the dividend year."

Final paychecks. The research for this page did not verify a separate Alaska statute for paying a deceased worker's final wages to family. Ask the employer whether it will pay wages owed on the P-110 affidavit.

Unclaimed property. The research for this page did not confirm whether Alaska's unclaimed property program accepts form P-110 or applies a dollar limit. See our Alaska unclaimed property guide for how to search and claim.

Liability and false affidavits

The holder is protected. Under AS 13.16.685, a person who pays or delivers on the affidavit "is discharged and released to the same extent as if the person dealt with a personal representative of the decedent" and is "not required to see to the application of the personal property or evidence of it or to inquire into the truth of any statement in the affidavit." A holder who refuses can be compelled in a court proceeding.

The person who collects is not. "Any person to whom payment, delivery, transfer, or issuance is made is answerable and accountable for it to any personal representative of the estate or to any other person having a superior right." The court's self-help page is blunt: "You cannot keep the property. You must give the property to the rightful beneficiaries under a Will or the heirs of the person who died if there is no Will." If a personal representative is appointed later, the property goes to that representative.

The affidavit does not erase the decedent's debts. The estate of someone who received Medicaid is subject to a recovery claim under AS 47.07.055, and if a personal representative is later appointed you must account to that representative for what you collected. Do not distribute everything before known debts are dealt with.

Perjury. The affidavit is sworn. Under AS 11.56.200, "A person commits the crime of perjury if the person makes a false sworn statement which the person does not believe to be true," and perjury is a class B felony.

When the affidavit does not fit

If the estate includes real property that did not pass automatically, exceeds either limit, or someone has already started probate, the estate needs a court case. Our Alaska probate guide explains the process. Alaska has two shorter court routes worth knowing.

Summary administration (AS 13.16.690 and 13.16.695). After a personal representative is appointed and prepares an inventory and appraisal, the representative may skip creditor notice when "the value of the entire estate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed homestead allowance, exempt property, family allowance, costs and expenses of administration, reasonable funeral expenses, and reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last illness of the decedent." The representative may then "immediately disburse and distribute the estate."

Under AS 13.12.402, "A decedent's surviving spouse is entitled to a homestead allowance of $27,000." Exempt property is $10,000 under AS 13.12.403, and the family allowance under AS 13.12.404 is a reasonable amount rather than a fixed figure. This route can include real property, because it measures the entire estate and runs through a court-appointed representative.

The representative closes the estate by filing a verified statement with the court after distribution. "If no action or proceeding involving the personal representative is pending in the court one year after the closing statement is filed, the appointment of the personal representative terminates."

Court-directed settlement (AS 13.16.700). When a person dies leaving only the kind of property the affidavit covers "and no qualified person has appeared to take charge of the assets, the judge may immediately appoint a person, corporation, or attorney to settle the estate."

Related

• Small estate affidavit rules by state
• Alaska probate process
• Alaska unclaimed property

Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information about Alaska's affidavit for collection of personal property under AS 13.16.680 through 13.16.700, verified on 2026-10-07. It is not legal advice. For help with a specific estate, contact the Alaska Court System's self-help center, a legal aid office, or a lawyer licensed in Alaska.

Last updated: 2026-10-07.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the small estate limit in Alaska?

Alaska has two caps that apply at the same time under AS 13.16.680: vehicles subject to registration worth no more than $100,000 in total, and other personal property worth no more than $50,000, both less liens and encumbrances. The estate can contain nothing else, so any real property that does not pass automatically rules the affidavit out.

Is the Alaska small estate limit $150,000?

Only as a sum. The Alaska DMV calls its Form 827 an affidavit for an estate of $150,000 or less, but the statute sets two separate limits: $100,000 for registrable vehicles and $50,000 for everything else. An estate with $60,000 of non-vehicle property does not fit, even if its total is under $150,000.

How long after death can I use a small estate affidavit in Alaska?

30 days. AS 13.16.680 requires that 30 days have elapsed since the death before a holder must pay or deliver property on the affidavit.

Does an Alaska small estate affidavit need to be filed with the court?

No. The Alaska Court System says successors can sign the affidavit and collect property without filing anything with the court. You sign it before a notary or a court clerk and give a copy to each holder of property.

Can I transfer a house with a small estate affidavit in Alaska?

No. The court self-help page says the affidavit is not available if the person owned any real property, no matter how small its value, unless it passed without probate, for example through tenancy by the entirety, Alaska community property with a right of survivorship, a transfer on death deed, or because it was held by a trustee in trust. Otherwise the estate needs a probate case.

Do snowmachines and boats count toward the Alaska vehicle limit?

Not toward the $100,000 vehicle figure. The Alaska Court System says that category does not include snowmachines, ATVs, tractors, off-road equipment or boats.

Can I collect a deceased person's PFD with the affidavit?

The Alaska Court System says a successor under the affidavit can collect or apply for a PFD for a person who died. The PFD Division allows an estate application only in set cases, such as a death during the qualifying year after at least 180 days of residency by someone who received the prior year's dividend, and it must be filed by March 31 of the year following the dividend year.