Article 01. INTESTATE SUCCESSION
Sec. 13.12.101. Intestate estate. (a) A part of a decedent's estate not effectively disposed of by will passes by intestate succession to the decedent's heirs as prescribed in AS 13.06 - AS 13.36, except as modified by the decedent's will. (b) A decedent by will may expressly exclude or limit the right of an individual or class to succeed to property of the decedent passing by intestate succession. If that individual or a member of that class survives the decedent, the share of the decedent's intestate estate to which that individual or class would have succeeded passes as if that individual or each member of that class had disclaimed the intestate share of the individual or member. Sec. 13.12.102. Share of spouse. (a) Except as provided in (b) of this section, the intestate share of a decedent's surviving spouse is (1) the entire intestate estate if (A) no descendant or parent of the decedent survives the decedent; or (B) all of the decedent's surviving descendants are also descendants of the surviving spouse and there is no other descendant of the surviving spouse who survives the decedent; (2) the first $200,000, plus three-fourths of any balance of the intestate estate, if no descendant of the decedent survives the decedent, but a parent of the decedent survives the decedent; (3) the first $150,000, plus one-half of any balance of the intestate estate, if all of the decedent's surviving descendants are also descendants of the surviving spouse and the surviving spouse has one or more surviving descendants who are not descendants of the decedent; (4) the first $100,000, plus one-half of any balance of the intestate estate, if one or more of the decedent's surviving descendants are not descendants of the surviving spouse. (b) The intestate share of the surviving spouse in settlement common stock or other inalienable stock in a corporation organized under the laws of the state under 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. (Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) is (1) all of it if there is no surviving issue; or (2) one-half of it if the decedent is survived by issue. Sec. 13.12.103. Share of heirs other than surviving spouse. A part of the intestate estate not passing to the decedent's surviving spouse under AS 13.12.102 , or the entire intestate estate if there is no surviving spouse, passes in the following order to the individuals designated below who survive the decedent: (1) to the decedent's descendants by representation; (2) if there is no surviving descendant, to the decedent's parents equally if both survive, or to the surviving parent; (3) if there is no surviving descendant or parent, to the descendants of the decedent's parents or either of them by representation; (4) if there is no surviving descendant, parent, or descendant of a parent, but the decedent is survived by one or more grandparents or descendants of grandparents, half of the estate passes to the decedent's paternal grandparents equally if both survive, or to the surviving paternal grandparent, or to the descendants of the decedent's paternal grandparents or either of them if both are deceased, the descendants taking by representation; and the other half passes to the decedent's maternal relatives in the same manner; but if there is no surviving grandparent or descendant of a grandparent on either the paternal or the maternal side, the entire estate passes to the decedent's relatives on the other side in the same manner as the half. Sec. 13.12.104. Requirement that heir survive decedent for 120 hours. An individual who fails to survive the decedent by 120 hours is considered to have predeceased the decedent for purposes of homestead allowance, exempt property, and intestate succession, and the decedent's heirs are determined accordingly. If it is not established by clear and convincing evidence that an individual who would otherwise be an heir survived the decedent by 120 hours, it is considered that the individual failed to survive for the required period. This section is not to be applied if its application would result in a taking of intestate estate by the state under AS 13.12.105 . Sec. 13.12.105. No taker. If there is no taker under this chapter, (1) personal property in the intestate estate passes to the state and is subject to AS 34.45.280 - 34.45.780; if notice to heirs, substantially equivalent to that required by AS 34.45.310 , has been given by the personal representative or other person, AS 34.45.310 does not apply; (2) real property in the intestate estate passes to the state and is subject to AS 38.95.200 - 38.95.270. Sec. 13.12.106. Representation. (a) If, under AS 13.12.103 (1), all or part of a decedent's intestate estate passes by representation to the decedent's descendants, the estate or part of the estate passing is divided into as many equal shares as there are (1) surviving descendants in the generation nearest to the decedent that contains one or more surviving descendants; and (2) deceased descendants in the same generation who left surviving descendants, if any. (b) Under (a) of this section, each surviving descendant in the nearest generation is allocated one share, and the remaining shares, if any, are combined and then divided in the same manner among the surviving descendants of the deceased descendants as if the surviving descendants who were allocated a share and their surviving descendants had predeceased the decedent. (c) If, under AS 13.12.103 (3) or (4), all or part of a decedent's intestate estate passes by representation to the descendants of the decedent's deceased parents or either of them or to the descendants of the decedent's deceased paternal or maternal grandparents or either of them, the estate or part of the estate passing is divided into as many equal shares as there are (1) surviving descendants in the generation nearest the deceased parents or either of them, or the deceased grandparents or either of them, that contains one or more surviving descendants; and (2) deceased descendants in the same generation who left surviving descendants, if any. (d) Under (c) of this section, each surviving descendant in the nearest generation is allocated one share, and the remaining shares, if any, are combined and then divided in the same manner among the surviving descendants of the deceased descendants as if the surviving descendants who were allocated a share and their surviving descendants had predeceased the decedent. (e) In this section, "deceased descendant," "deceased parent," or "deceased grandparent" means a descendant, parent, or grandparent who either predeceased the decedent or is considered to have predeceased the decedent under AS 13.12.104 . Sec. 13.12.107. Kindred of half blood. Relatives of the half blood inherit the same share they would inherit if the were of the whole blood. Sec. 13.12.108. After-born heirs. An individual in gestation at a particular time is treated as living at that time if the individual lives 120 hours or more after birth. Sec. 13.12.109. Advancements. (a) If an individual dies intestate as to all or a portion of the individual's estate, property the decedent gave during the decedent's lifetime to an individual who, at the decedent's death, is an heir is treated as an advancement against the heir's intestate share only if (1) the decedent declared in a contemporaneous writing or the heir acknowledged in writing that the gift is an advancement; or (2) the decedent's contemporaneous writing or the heir's written acknowledgment otherwise indicates that the gift is to be taken into account in computing the division and distribution of the decedent's intestate estate. (b) For purposes of (a) of this section, property advanced is valued as of the time the heir came into possession or enjoyment of the property or as of the time of the decedent's death, whichever first occurs. (c) If the recipient of the property fails to survive the decedent, the property is not taken into account in computing the division and distribution of the decedent's intestate estate, unless the decedent's contemporaneous writing provides otherwise. Sec. 13.12.110. Debts to decedent. A debt owed to a decedent is not charged against the intestate share of any individual except the debtor. If the debtor fails to survive the decedent, the debt is not taken into account in computing the intestate share of the debtor's descendants. Sec. 13.12.111. Alienage. An individual is not disqualified to take as an heir because the individual or another individual through whom the individual claims is or has been an alien. Sec. 13.12.113. Individuals related to decedent through two lines. An individual who is related to the decedent through two lines of relationship is entitled to only a single share based on the relationship that would entitle the individual to the larger share. Sec. 13.12.114. Parent and child relationship. (a) Except as provided in (b) - (d) of this section, for purposes of intestate succession by, through, or from a person, an individual is the child of the individual's natural parents, regardless of their marital status, and the parent and child relationship may be established as indicated under AS 25.20.050 . (b) An adopted individual is the child of the individual's adopting parent or parents and not of the individual's natural parents, but adoption of a child by the spouse of either natural parent does not affect (1) the relationship between the child and that natural parent; or (2) the right of the child or a descendant of the child to inherit from or through the other natural parent. (c) Inheritance from or through a child by either natural parent or the natural parent's kindred is precluded unless that natural parent has openly treated the child as the natural parent's child, and has not refused to support the child. (d) To the extent there is a conflict between this section and either AS 25.20.050 or AS 25.23.130 , this section controls. Article 02. ELECTIVE SHARE OF SURVIVING SPOUSE Sec. 13.12.201. Definitions. (a) In AS 13.12.201 - 13.12.204 and 13.12.206 - 13.12.214, "decedent's nonprobate transfers to others" means the amounts that are included in the augmented estate under AS 13.12.205 . (b) In AS 13.12.201 - 13.12.214, (1) "fractional interest in property held in joint tenancy with the right of survivorship," whether the fractional interest is unilaterally severable or not, means the fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which, if the decedent was a joint tenant, is one plus the number of joint tenants who survive the decedent, and which, if the decedent was not a joint tenant, is the number of joint tenants; (2) "marriage," as it relates to a transfer by the decedent during marriage, means a marriage of the decedent to the decedent's surviving spouse; (3) "nonadverse party" means a person who does not have a substantial beneficial interest in the trust or other property arrangement that would be adversely affected by the exercise or nonexercise of the power that the person possesses respecting the trust or other property arrangement; a person having a general power of appointment over property is considered to have a beneficial interest in the property; (4) "power" or "power of appointment" includes a power to designate the beneficiary of a beneficiary designation; (5) "presently exercisable general power of appointment" means a power of appointment under which, at the time in question, the decedent, whether or not the decedent then had the capacity to exercise the power, held a power to create a present or future interest in the decedent, the decedent's creditors, the decedent's estate, or the creditors of the decedent's estate, and includes a power to revoke or invade the principal of a trust or another property arrangement; (6) "probate estate" means property that would pass by intestate succession if the decedent died without a valid will; (7) "property" includes values subject to a beneficiary designation; (8) "right to income" includes a right to payments under a commercial or private annuity, an annuity trust, a unitrust, or a similar arrangement; (9) "transfer," as it relates to a transfer by or of the decedent, includes (A) an exercise or release of a presently exercisable general power of appointment held by the decedent; (B) a lapse at death of a presently exercisable general power of appointment held by the decedent; and (C) an exercise, release, or lapse of (i) a general power of appointment that the decedent created in self; and (ii) a power described in AS 13.12.205 (2)(B) that the decedent conferred on a nonadverse party. Sec. 13.12.202. Elective share. (a) The surviving spouse of a decedent who dies domiciled in this state has a right of election, under the limitations and conditions stated in AS 13.12.201 - 13.12.214, to take an elective share amount equal to one-third of the augmented estate. (b) If the sum of the amounts described in AS 13.12.207 , 13.12.209(a)(1), and that part of the elective share amount payable from the decedent's probate estate and nonprobate transfers to others under AS 13.12.209 (b) - (c) is less than $50,000, the surviving spouse is entitled to a supplemental elective share amount equal to $50,000, minus the sum of the amounts described in AS 13.12.207 and 13.12.209(a)(1), (b), and (c). The supplemental elective share amount is payable from the decedent's probate estate and from recipients of the decedent's nonprobate transfers to others in the order of priority set out in AS 13.12.209 (b) - (c). (c) If the right of election is exercised by or on behalf of the surviving spouse, the surviving spouse's homestead allowance, exempt property, and family allowance, if any, are not charged against but are in addition to the elective share and supplemental elective share amounts. (d) The right, if any, of the surviving spouse of a decedent who dies domiciled outside this state to take an elective share in property in this state is governed by the law of the decedent's domicile at death. Sec. 13.12.203. Composition of the augmented estate. Subject to AS 13.12.208 , the value of the augmented estate, to the extent provided in AS 13.12.204 - 13.12.207, consists of the sum of the values of all property, whether real or personal, movable or immovable, tangible or intangible, wherever situated, that constitute the decedent's net probate estate, the decedent's nonprobate transfers to others, the decedent's nonprobate transfers to the surviving spouse, and the surviving spouse's property and nonprobate transfers to others. Sec. 13.12.204. Decedent's net probate estate. The value of the augmented estate includes the value of the decedent's probate estate, reduced by funeral and administration expenses, homestead allowance, family allowances, exempt property, and enforceable claims. Sec. 13.12.205. Decedent's nonprobate transfers to others. The value of the augmented estate includes the value of the decedent's nonprobate transfers to others, not included under AS 13.12.204, of any of the following types, in the amount provided respectively for each type of transfer: (1) property owned or owned in substance by the decedent immediately before death that passed outside probate at the decedent's death; property included under this category consists of (A) property over which the decedent alone, immediately before death, held a presently exercisable general power of appointment; the amount included is the value of the property subject to the power, to the extent the property passed at the decedent's death, by exercise, release, lapse, default, or otherwise, to or for the benefit of a person other than the decedent's estate or surviving spouse; (B) the decedent's fractional interest in property held by the decedent in joint tenancy with the right of survivorship; the amount included is the value of the decedent's fractional interest, to the extent that the fractional interest passed by right of survivorship at the decedent's death to a surviving joint tenant other than the decedent's surviving spouse; (C) the decedent's ownership interest in property or accounts held in pay on death, transfer on death, or co-ownership registration with the right of survivorship; the amount included is the value of the decedent's ownership interest, to the extent the decedent's ownership interest passed at the decedent's death to or for the benefit of a person other than the decedent's estate or surviving spouse; (D) proceeds of insurance, including accidental death benefits, on the life of the decedent, if the decedent owned the insurance policy immediately before death or if and to the extent the decedent alone and immediately before death held a presently exercisable general power of appointment over the policy or its proceeds; the amount included is the value of the proceeds, to the extent the proceeds were payable at the decedent's death to or for the benefit of a person other than the decedent's estate or surviving spouse; (2) property transferred in any of the following forms by the decedent during marriage: (A) an irrevocable transfer, including an irrevocable transfer in trust with a transfer restriction under AS 34.40.110 (a), in which the decedent retained the right to the possession or enjoyment of, or to the income from, the property, if and to the extent the decedent's right terminated at or continued beyond the decedent's death; the amount included is the value of the fraction of the property to which the decedent's right related, to the extent the fraction of the property passed outside probate to or for the benefit of a person other than the decedent's estate or surviving spouse; (B) a transfer in which the decedent created a power over the income or property, exercisable by the decedent alone or in conjunction with another person, or exercisable by a nonadverse party, to or for the benefit of the decedent, the decedent's creditors, the decedent's estate, or creditors of the decedent's estate; the amount included with respect to a power over property is the value of the property subject to the power, and the amount included with respect to a power over income is the value of the property that produces or produced the income, to the extent the power in either case was exercisable at the decedent's death to or for the benefit of a person other than the decedent's surviving spouse or to the extent the property passed at the decedent's death, by exercise, release, lapse, default, or otherwise, to or for the benefit of a person other than the decedent's estate or surviving spouse; if the power is a power over both income and property and the preceding provision defining the amount included produces different amounts, the amount included is the greater amount; and (3) property that passed during marriage and during the two-year period next preceding the decedent's death as a result of a transfer by the decedent if the transfer was of any of the following types: (A) property that passed as a result of the termination of a right or interest in, or power over, property that would have been included in the augmented estate under (1)(A), (B), or (C) or (2) of this section, if the right, interest, or power had not terminated until the decedent's death; the amount included is the value of the property that would have been included under (1)(A), (B), or (C) or (2) of this section, if the property were valued at the time the right, interest, or power terminated, and is included only to the extent the property passed upon termination to or for the benefit of a person other than the decedent or the decedent's estate, spouse, or surviving spouse; as used in this subparagraph, termination, with respect to a right or interest in property, occurs when the right or interest terminated by the terms of the governing instrument or the decedent transferred or relinquished the right or interest, and, with respect to a power over property, occurs when the power terminated by exercise, release, lapse, default, or otherwise, but, with respect to a power described in (1)(A) of this section, termination occurs when the power terminated by exercise or release, but not otherwise; (B) a transfer of or relating to an insurance policy on the life of the decedent if the proceeds would have been included in the augmented estate under (1)(D) of this section had the transfer not occurred; the amount included is the value of the insurance proceeds to the extent the proceeds were payable at the decedent's death to or for the benefit of a person other than the decedent's estate or surviving spouse; (C) a transfer of property, to the extent not otherwise included in the augmented estate, made to or for the benefit of a person other than the decedent's surviving spouse; the amount included is the value of the property transferred to a person to the extent that the aggregate transfers to that person in either of the two years exceeded $10,000. |