Free Tools and Information
for Ketchikan, AK Consumers

Alaska Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Alaska PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Ketchikan Gateway Borough: Key information about your local probate court (Superior Court in Alaska) for Ketchikan Gateway Borough.
• How Probate Works in Alaska: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Ketchikan Gateway Borough's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Alaska Probate Forms and the
    • Alaska State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Alaska: Learn how to use Alaska's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Alaska, you can use an Affidavit procedure if the entire estate consists only of vehicles with a total value of up to $100,000 and personal property (other than vehicles) worth up to $50,000. There is a 30-day waiting period. Alaska Stat. 13.16.680.

    You can use a small estates procedure if the entire estate, not counting debts owed on the property, adds up to less that $100,000 of vehicles and $50,000 of personal property (furniture, clothes, and other tangible items). There is a 30-day waiting period.

    Alaska Stat. 13.16.690,695

• Alaska Estate Taxes:

  • Alaska, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• Avoiding Probate in Alaska. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

---

Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
• Alaska BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Alaska law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Alaska?:  

    • Yes. Alaska allows residents to use the federal exemptions pursuant to Code § 522(b). If the debtor choses to use the Alaska exemptions, AS § 09.38.055 limits the exemptions available to a debtor filing bankruptcy and residing in Alaska to those within the following statutes: AS §§ 09.38.010, 09.38.015, 09.38.017, 09.38.020, 09.38.025 and 09.38.030.

  • Alaska Homestead Exemption

    • Principal residence up to $72,900* -- joint owners may each claim a portion, but total can't exceed $72,900
      Homestead amount adjusted for inflation every two years. Current as of 10/1/2020. Source: Alaska BK Court.

  • Alaska Vehicle Exemption

    • Up to $4,050 worth of one vehicle, as long as the total value of the vehicle does not exceed $27,000.

• Alaska BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

---

Democracy In Alaska, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Ketchikan 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Ketchikan, AK.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Alaska Voter Registration Status: https://myvoterinformation.alaska.gov/
• Gerrymandering in Alaska: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

 

Alaska Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Alaska: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $56 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $370 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Alaska, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 16 to 26 weeks, depending on how evenly spread your earnings were throughout the base period. If you earned most of your income in your highest-paid quarter, your benefits will last for a shorter period; if your earnings were more evenly divided over the entire base period year, you will receive benefits for a longer time. See Calculating Your Weekly Benefit Amount and Duration for more information. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Alaska.
  • Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development 
    • 907-465-5552
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

• Alaska Wage & Hour Law

  • Alaska Minimum Wage:  

    • The minimum wage in Alaska is $11.73 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Alaska must be paid at least $11.73 an hour. 

  • Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Alaska and whether they apply to you.
  • Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Alaska. 
  • Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Alaska.

    • The tipped minimum wage in Alaska is the same as the regular minimum wage: $11.73 an hour. Tips don't count against the employer's obligation to pay the minimum wage.

---

Find a Lawyer in Ketchikan, AK

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • AlaskaLawHelp 

---