ATTORNEYS AT LAW



1009 W 7TH AVENUE



ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99501



TELEPHONE: (907) 279-4529



FAX: (907) 279-9223

NEW BOOK ON ALASKA FAMILY LAW AVAILABLE

Anchorage lawyer and author Steven Pradell has written a new book, the Alaska Family Law Handbook, to help Alaskans understand legal issues involving family law. In the Alaska Family Law Handbook, you will learn about:

The book will soon be in book stores and can be purchased now at the law firm for $9.95.

You may be under the impression that once they make a will, they have to start again and make another will from scratch if they change their minds. This is not the case in Alaska for certain items of property. Alaska statute 13.12.513 provides that you can make special bequests of certain tangible personal property to individuals in a separate writing apart from your will. In other words, you can keep a list of property separate from your will to give special things to those who you desire. This list can change at any time prior to your death and still be valid.

If you desire to take advantage of this law, you should refer in your will to this separate list or written statement. In the list, you need to describe the items and the devisees (persons to whom you are giving the property) with reasonable certainty. For example, you can state, "my brother, David Smith, of Wasilla Alaska, shall receive my great grandfather's hunting rifle." Your list should be in writing and signed by you. The list may be prepared before or after you sign your will, and you can change the list after it is prepared. The list can have no significance apart from its effect on the distribution of the property in your will.

YOUR REFERRALS ARE APPRECIATED.

©1998 By Pradell and Associates. This newsletter is not intended to provide legal or Tax advice. Those seeking such advise should consult with a lawyer or tax advisor.