Alaska Judgment: Types, Records, Duration, and What to Expect

A judgment is a court’s official decision about the issues in a case. Once a judgment is made in this state, the parties involved may have to follow the actions outlined in the documents. This could include refinancing a loan or mortgage, selling an asset like the marital home, paying the other party a certain amount of money, or providing child support. It might also require transferring personal property or moving out of a home.

What Is a Judgment in Alaska?

In Alaska, a judgment is the final ruling of a court in a civil, financial, or family-related case. As stated in Rule 54 of Alaska's Rule of Civil Procedures, a judgment does not include a summary of pleadings, a master’s report, or records of previous proceedings. However, it outlines the rights and responsibilities of the parties involved and can require one party to pay money, transfer property, or cease specific actions.

Additionally, if there are multiple claims for relief in a case, the court can issue a final judgment on one or more claims or parties, but not all. The court can only issue a judgment on all the claims if it clearly decides that there is no good reason to delay the matter.

Once a judgment is made, it is legally binding and can be enforced in accordance with Alaska law.

Types of Judgments in Alaska

Judgments in Alaska fall into several categories depending on the nature of the case:

1. Money Judgments

In a money judgment, the court instructs the debtor to pay a certain amount to the creditor. These judgments typically come from unpaid loans, medical expenses, contract disagreements, or damages resulting from accidents.

2. Default Judgments

A default judgment occurs when a defendant does not show up or respond to a lawsuit, which allows the court to decide in favor of the plaintiff without going to trial.

3. Summary Judgment

A summary judgment is given by the court when it finds that there are no significant facts in dispute and that one party is entitled to win as a matter of law.

4. Declaratory Judgment

This kind of judgment clarifies the rights and responsibilities of the parties involved in a case without mandating any specific action or solution.

5. Interlocutory Judgment

This is a preliminary judgment that addresses one aspect of the case before the whole case is concluded.

How to Search for Judgments in Alaska

Judgment records are public information that anyone in Alaska can access. The main ways to search include:

1. Clerk of Court Offices – Every Alaska Superior or District Court keeps records of cases and judgments. You can request records in person at the local clerk's office.
2. Alaska Court System Online Services – The CourtView Public Access Database allows users to search for civil, criminal, and family court records online. Users can find judgments by entering party names, case numbers, or court locations.
3. Third-Party Record Services – Some third-party record service providers provide the public access to Alaska judgment and case records. However, official records are generally more reliable when obtained directly from the court. Although third-party websites can be cheaper options, users should ensure these platforms are regularly updated. One advantage of third-party platforms is that they maintain judgment records from all jurisdictions in the county, making them a convenient place to check judgments from different counties.

Typical judgment information includes:

• Case number
• Parties involved
• Court location
• Judgment date
• Amount owed or type of relief granted.

Judgment Records in Major Alaska Cities

The process of finding judgment records can vary slightly across Alaska’s largest cities:

• Anchorage (Anchorage District and Superior Courts): Anchorage provides access to online records through the statewide CourtView system. Alternatively, you can visit the Boney Courthouse in person to obtain records.
• Fairbanks (Fairbanks District and Superior Courts): The Fairbanks courts provide public access terminals at the courthouse and support online searches through the state system.
• Juneau (Juneau District and Superior Courts): Juneau provides access to judgment records in person at the courthouse and remotely through the statewide CourtView system.

While there are different local practices in the state, the existence of a centralized online portal allows for easier access to judgment records across the state compared to many other states.

How Long Does a Judgment Last in Alaska?

In Alaska, a judgment itself does not expire but can become dormant if the creditor does not enforce it. To keep a judgment active, the judgment creditor must obtain a writ of execution within five years of the judgment date. If no writ of execution is issued within five years, the judgment becomes dormant.

A dormant judgment may be subject to revival or renewal through further legal action. You should consult an attorney in Alaska to understand the specific procedures for reviving a dormant judgment.

What Happens After a Judgment Is Entered in Alaska?

Once a judgment is entered, both creditors and debtors will have specific responsibilities to perform:

For Creditors:

• Wage Garnishment: Creditors can get court permission to take a portion of the debtor’s wages until the judgment is fulfilled.
• Property Liens: Creditors may file liens on the debtor’s real estate or other property to secure repayment.
• Bank Account Levies: With court approval, money can be directly withdrawn from the debtor’s bank account to pay off the debt.

For Debtors:

• Credit Impact: Judgments are usually reported to credit bureaus, which can make it difficult for debtors to get loans, housing, or jobs.
• Satisfaction of Judgment: After a debt is settled, the creditor is required to submit a Satisfaction of Judgment to the court to confirm that the debt has been cleared officially.
• Appeals and Motions: If you feel the judge made a mistake in the judgment, you have the right to appeal or ask for the judgment to be overturned.