Alaska Divorce Checklist — Step-by-Step (2026)

Phase 1 — Pre-Filing Assessment

• Confirm Alaska domicile (no minimum duration required)
• Confirm grounds: "incompatibility of temperament"
• Determine process: uncontested (affidavit — no hearing) or contested
• Gather all financial documents: income, bank accounts, investments, real estate, retirement, debts
• Identify nearest Alaska Superior Court location
• Download forms: courts.alaska.gov/selfhelp/family/divorce.htm

Phase 2 — Financial Inventory

• All real estate: fair market value, mortgage balance, marital vs. separate
• Bank and investment accounts: balances, marital vs. separate
• Retirement accounts: total balance; marital portion (contributions during marriage)
• Vehicles: values and loans
• All debts: creditor, balance, marital vs. separate
• Business interests (if any)
• Monthly income and expense documentation (for Financial Disclosure)

Phase 3 — Draft and Execute the Separation Agreement

• All marital real property addressed (assignment, buyout, sale; Deed → Alaska Recorder)
• All marital financial accounts assigned
• Retirement accounts: QDRO for employer plans; IRA transfer language
• Vehicles assigned; Alaska DMV title transfer
• All marital debts assigned; indemnification language
• Separate property acknowledged and confirmed
• Alimony/Spousal Support: award with terms — or explicit waiver
• If children: legal custody, physical custody, Parenting Plan, child support per Alaska Guidelines
• Both spouses sign and notarize the Separation Agreement

Phase 4 — Complete Court Forms (Uncontested)

Forms: courts.alaska.gov/selfhelp/family/divorce.htm

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (DR-100 or current equivalent)
• Financial Disclosure forms (both parties)
• Separation Agreement / Property Settlement Agreement
• Affidavit of Uncontested Divorce — signed by both parties — this is the key document that enables no-hearing completion
• Proposed Decree of Divorce (court fills in date/signature)
• If children: Parenting Plan; Child Support Worksheet per Alaska Guidelines

Phase 5 — File at Alaska Superior Court

• File all forms — including Affidavit of Uncontested Divorce — at the Superior Court
• Pay $250 filing fee
• Receive case number
• Confirm whether Respondent also needs to file separately or sign joint filing

Phase 6 — No Hearing Required (Uncontested)

• No court appearance needed for agreed divorces
• Court reviews paperwork administratively
• If paperwork is complete and agreement is fair: Decree entered and mailed
• If court requests correction or hearing: respond promptly

Phase 7 — Receive Decree by Mail

• Decree of Divorce mailed to both parties (typically 4–8 weeks after filing)
• Obtain certified copies for post-divorce transactions

Phase 8 — Post-Divorce Steps

• Real estate deed: Quitclaim Deed → Alaska Recorder's Office in the recording district where property is located
• QDRO for employer retirement plans
• Alaska state employees: Alaska Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) — doa.alaska.gov/drb — DRO procedures
• Alaska teachers: Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) — doa.alaska.gov/drb
• Vehicles: Alaska DMV
• Name restoration: Alaska DMV → Social Security → accounts
• Beneficiary designations: life insurance, retirement, payable-on-death accounts

Last reviewed: March 2026 | Current domicile — no minimum | No waiting period | "Incompatibility of temperament" | Superior Court | $250 fee | Affidavit of Uncontested Divorce — no hearing required | Parenting Plan required with children | Equitable distribution | Alaska Recorder's Office — recording district | courts.alaska.gov/selfhelp/family/divorce.htm

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.