Alaska Statutes
Alaska Stat. § 13.12.502 (2026)
Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills
✓ current as of July 2026
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Sec. 13.12.502. Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills.
(a) Except as provided in (b) of this section, AS 13.06.068, AS 13.12.506, and 13.12.513, a will must be
(1) in writing;
(2) signed by the testator or in the testator's name by another individual in the testator's conscious presence and by the testator's direction; and
(3) signed by at least two individuals, each of whom signs within a reasonable time after the witness witnesses either the signing of the will as described in (2) of this subsection or the testator's acknowledgment of that signature or the will.
(b) Except as provided in AS 13.06.068, a will that does not comply with (a) of this section is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting.
(a) Except as provided in (b) of this section, AS 13.06.068, AS 13.12.506, and 13.12.513, a will must be
(1) in writing;
(2) signed by the testator or in the testator's name by another individual in the testator's conscious presence and by the testator's direction; and
(3) signed by at least two individuals, each of whom signs within a reasonable time after the witness witnesses either the signing of the will as described in (2) of this subsection or the testator's acknowledgment of that signature or the will.
(b) Except as provided in AS 13.06.068, a will that does not comply with (a) of this section is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1998–2023 · leading case: In Re the Est. of Baker, 386 P.3d 1228 (Alaska 2016).
In Re the Est. of Baker, 386 P.3d 1228 (Alaska 2016). “also a signature under AS 13.12.502. The next question, then, is under what circumstances Alaska law permits a court to interpret a handwritten name in the exordium clause as a signature.”
Hall v. Hall, 426 P.3d 1006 (Alaska 2018). “" 13 See AS 13.12.502(a)(3) (requiring for witnessed wills two witness signatures of the testator's acknowledgments of or signature on will).”
Est. of Seward, 401 P.3d 976 (Alaska 2017). “See AS 13.12.502(a) (stating that a will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and signed by at least two witnesses).”
Dan v. Dan, 288 P.3d 480 (Alaska 2012). “AS 13.12.502(a). There are some exceptions to this rule that are not relevant here.”
Evancoe Ex Rel. Evancoe v. Evancoe, 955 P.2d 525 (Alaska 1998). “Because the purported transfer does not comply with the formalities in the statute of wills, it would be invalid, and the stocks would pass according to the provisions of the will.”
In the Matter of the Est. of Janice V. Evensen, 531 P.3d 969 (Alaska 2023). “In 1962 1 AS 13.12.502(a). 2 AS 13.12.502(b). 1 7664 Janice and Susan moved to Alaska, where Janice again married and divorced.”
— Alaska Stat. § 13.12.502(a) — 3 cases
Est. of Seward, 401 P.3d 976 (Alaska 2017). “See AS 13.12.502(a) (stating that a will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and signed by at least two witnesses).”
Dan v. Dan, 288 P.3d 480 (Alaska 2012). “AS 13.12.502(a). There are some exceptions to this rule that are not relevant here.”
In the Matter of the Est. of Janice V. Evensen, 531 P.3d 969 (Alaska 2023). “In 1962 1 AS 13.12.502(a). 2 AS 13.12.502(b). 1 7664 Janice and Susan moved to Alaska, where Janice again married and divorced.”
— Alaska Stat. § 13.12.502(a)(3) — 2 cases
Hall v. Hall, 426 P.3d 1006 (Alaska 2018). “" 13 See AS 13.12.502(a)(3) (requiring for witnessed wills two witness signatures of the testator's acknowledgments of or signature on will).”
In the Matter of the Est. of Janice V. Evensen, 531 P.3d 969 (Alaska 2023). “In 1962 1 AS 13.12.502(a). 2 AS 13.12.502(b). 1 7664 Janice and Susan moved to Alaska, where Janice again married and divorced.”
— Alaska Stat. § 13.12.502(b) — 2 cases
In Re the Est. of Baker, 386 P.3d 1228 (Alaska 2016). “also a signature under AS 13.12.502. The next question, then, is under what circumstances Alaska law permits a court to interpret a handwritten name in the exordium clause as a signature.”
In the Matter of the Est. of Janice V. Evensen, 531 P.3d 969 (Alaska 2023). “In 1962 1 AS 13.12.502(a). 2 AS 13.12.502(b). 1 7664 Janice and Susan moved to Alaska, where Janice again married and divorced.”
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