Alaska debt: three years on everything, and a weekly wage shield
Alaska has one of the shortest and simplest time limits in the country: three years for any contract debt, written or not. If a creditor wins, Alaska protects a fixed dollar amount of each week's pay, and more if you are your household's only earner.
The check is free. If a dispute letter will help, it costs $29 ($19 for military, veterans, seniors and people with disabilities) with three follow-ups.
Who is asking you to pay?
Look at the company name at the top of the letter or in the caller ID.
Alaska at a glance
- Any contract debt
- 3 years (AS 09.10.053)
- Sale of goods
- 4 years
- Weekly pay protected
- At least $473
- Sole household earner
- $743 with an affidavit
- Agency license
- Required; debt buyers exempt
- Judgments
- 10 years
General information about Alaska law, with sources below. Not legal advice.
Three years in Alaska
A person may not bring an action on a contract or liability, express or implied, unless it is started within three years (AS 09.10.053), which covers written and oral contracts, open accounts and credit cards. Contracts for the sale of goods have four years under Alaska's Uniform Commercial Code (AS 45.02.725).
The statute allows the three years to be waived by contract, so check any agreement you signed.
A dollar shield on your paycheck
At least $473 of weekly disposable earnings is exempt from garnishment, rising to $743 a week if you file an affidavit that your earnings alone support your household (AS 09.38.030). File the affidavit if you are the only earner: the higher amount is not applied automatically.
A wage garnishment levy stays in effect until the judgment is paid, and later garnishments stack behind earlier ones. Judgments are enforceable for ten years (AS 09.10.040).
For Alaska residents with old accounts, the 3-year limit is the key date; our zombie debt guide explains why.
Limits vary a lot between states: by comparison, District of Columbia sets 3 years and Maryland sets 3 years for similar debts.
Our guide on how to dispute a debt with a collector applies in Alaska, with a free sample letter.
A Alaska summons has a short deadline. Our debt lawsuit guide covers answering it, defenses such as the time limit, and settling.
Who needs a license in Alaska
Collection agencies must be licensed by the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing and post a $5,000 bond (AS 08.24). Debt buyers and original creditors collecting their own claims, and attorneys, do not need a collection agency license.
The federal dispute right applies to every collector: a written dispute inside the validation period makes it stop until it mails verification.
If your letter comes from a national company such as American Coradius International or Capital Management Services, our collector guides explain who they are and how to dispute.
Questions people ask about debt in Alaska
What is the statute of limitations on credit card debt in Alaska?
Three years under AS 09.10.053, the same as other contract debts.
How much of my wages are protected in Alaska?
At least $473 of weekly disposable earnings, or $743 a week if you file an affidavit that your earnings alone support your household.
Can the three-year limit be changed in Alaska?
The statute allows it to be waived by contract, so check any agreement you signed.
Do debt buyers need a license in Alaska?
No. Debt buyers and original creditors collecting their own claims are not required to hold a collection agency license.
How long does a judgment last in Alaska?
Ten years under AS 09.10.040.