How Much Does Guardianship Cost in Alaska

The Filing Fee

The standard Alaska Superior Court filing fee for an adult guardianship or conservatorship case is $150. This is a one-time fee paid when the petition is submitted. It covers the court's administrative costs for opening the case, assigning a judge, and scheduling the hearing.

If the petitioner or the respondent cannot afford the fee, Form TF-920 (Request for Exemption from Payment of Fees) must be filed alongside the petition. The court holds the petition until a judge approves or denies the waiver. Approval eliminates the entire $150.

What the State Covers

Several components of the guardianship process that families assume will cost money are actually state-funded:

Court visitor — the independent evaluator who interviews the respondent, investigates the case, and submits a report to the court. Appointed and paid by the state.

Medical expert — the physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist who examines the respondent and provides a clinical capacity evaluation. If the respondent does not have insurance to cover the evaluation, the court pays.

Legal representation for the respondent — if the respondent cannot afford a private attorney, the Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) provides free legal counsel. The respondent's attorney advocates for their stated wishes throughout the proceeding.

Mandatory guardian education — the one-hour training that new guardians must complete within 30 days of appointment is provided free by the Alaska Court System, available online or on physical flash drives.

Attorney Fees for the Petitioner

The petitioner (the person filing for guardianship) is not entitled to free counsel. Private attorney fees for guardianship representation in Alaska typically range from $1,500 to $4,500 for a standard case. Initial consultations often start at $300 or more.

This cost varies significantly based on whether the case is contested (someone objects to the guardianship) or uncontested (all parties agree). Contested cases require more attorney time for hearings, discovery, and negotiations.

Families who cannot afford private counsel can represent themselves using the Alaska Court System's Self-Help Center resources and the Guardianship Helpline (907-264-0520). The Alaska guardianship forms are publicly available at no cost.

Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

Beyond the filing fee and potential attorney fees, petitioners should budget for:

• Certified mail — notice must be sent via certified mail with return receipt to all interested parties (spouse, adult children, parents). Each mailing adds a certified-mail charge.
• Notarization — the PG-100 petition must be notarized before filing. Many banks offer free notary services to account holders.
• Travel — rural families may need to travel to a regional court hub, though remote hearings via Zoom or phone reduce this significantly.

The Cost of Less-Restrictive Alternatives

For comparison, the alternatives to guardianship carry minimal costs:

• A supported decision-making agreement costs nothing beyond notarization (often free at a bank) or gathering two witnesses
• A durable power of attorney requires only notarization
• An advance healthcare directive requires notarization or two witnesses

No court filing fees, no mandatory annual reporting, no three-year reviews. For families where these tools provide adequate support, the cost savings relative to guardianship are substantial.

The Alaska Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide includes cost comparison breakdowns and step-by-step instructions for both the no-cost alternatives and the court petition process, including how to navigate the TF-920 fee waiver.

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