Are you wanting to learn about Alaska divorce laws? Ending a marriage can be heartbreaking and stressful – that’s understandable. If you live in Alaska, you’re not alone in the divorce saga that you’re about to face.

In fact, as of 2019, 3.6 divorces per thousand residents happen in Alaska.

So, if you decide to divorce, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of the process. But more importantly, you’ll need to prepare your family for the big change.

Children might not understand the situation, and that’s normal. Family members will be confused about the situation, and that’s normal as well. But how will you be able to effectively communicate your divorce with your family?

We’re here to help because again, you’re not alone.

In this article, we’ll show you 7 helpful tips on going through the divorce process, and how to help your family through this rocky situation. We can’t stress this enough – You’re not alone.

Famous Alaska Divorce Cases

One of the most widely-publicized divorce cases in Alaska was that of former Governor Sarah Palin and her husband Todd Palin. After 31 years of marriage, the couple filed for divorce in 2019. The Palins, who had five children together, including Bristol Palin, a well-known figure in her own right after appearing on “Dancing with the Stars,” initially kept the divorce proceedings confidential.

However, news of their separation eventually made it to the press. The couple issued a joint statement acknowledging the divorce but did not disclose the reasons for their split. They finalized their divorce in 2020.

Having extramarital affairs

Another notable divorce case in Alaska was that of former state senator, Jerry Ward, and his wife Cheryl Ward. The couple had been married for over 20 years before filing for divorce in 2015. The divorce was highly contentious, with allegations of infidelity and financial impropriety being levelled at each other.

Cheryl Ward accused her husband of having extramarital affairs with multiple women, including a member of his staff. Though Jerry Ward denied the allegations, the divorce proceedings quickly became a media spectacle. The couple eventually reached a settlement, but not before their dirty laundry was aired publicly.

In 2016, former Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan and his wife Lynette made headlines when they filed for divorce after being married for over 30 years and raising three children together. The divorce was reportedly amicable, and the couple issued a joint statement announcing their intention to co-parent and remain friends.

Despite their efforts, rumours and speculation persisted, with some reports suggesting that Sullivan’s political aspirations had put a strain on the marriage while others pointed to financial difficulties. The couple finalized their divorce in 2017.

A divorce case in 2012 involving an Anchorage couple, Crystal Cox and a real estate developer, gained national attention. Cox had accused the developer of fraud on her blog, but the court found that she had made defamatory and false statements. Cox was ordered to pay $2.5 million in damages, and the case raised questions about the limits of free speech on the Internet. Cox later filed for bankruptcy.

Divorce initially seemed amicable

Former state Representative Kyle Johansen and his wife Tamara had been married for over two decades and had four children together. In 2013, Tamara filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce initially seemed amicable, but things took a turn when Kyle Johansen was accused of stalking his ex-wife. Tamara Johansen obtained a restraining order against her former husband, and the divorce proceedings became highly contentious. The couple ultimately reached a settlement, but not before their case was widely publicized in the local media.

High-profile divorce cases in Alaska have been on the rise, involving celebrities, politicians, and ordinary citizens. While some divorces are resolved amicably, others can be incredibly acrimonious and result in airing grievances publicly. In either case, the emotional weight of a divorce can be overwhelming, leaving those going through the process to seek support and guidance from their loved ones and professionals.

Know How Paternity Is Determined

First, it’s important to know how paternity will be determined, according to the law in Alaska. In fact, there are two ways that paternity is established: by simple acknowledgement, and through a parental lawsuit.

Simple acknowledgement – This can happen when both parents agree on who fathered the child. Then, the agreed-upon father will sign a “Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity” form, which makes this information available to hospitals and unmarried parents upon the child’s birth. When signed, the father can have his name added to the child’s birth certificate.

Paternity lawsuit – This happens when the child’s mother disputes with the alleged father about paternity. It’s then that a lawsuit happens. Keep in mind that this lawsuit can be brought on by any of the following conditions:

The child’s mother calls this dispute to attention.

A man believes that he’s the father of the child, or has been identified as the father.

The child’s custodian brings this to attention.

The state office of child services brings this to attention. OR,

The state office of child support enforcement brings this to attention.

Alaska divorce papers

From there, a paternity case proceeded in court or through a government agency that provides benefits for the child. This may require genetic testing of the putative father. While the testing is free, the agency will require reimbursement if the test shows that someone is the father of the child.

If genetic testing isn’t viable, the court will consider other forms of evidence to determine paternity. For example, if the alleged father is accused of child abuse or rape, the court or agency will not pursue establishing paternity unless the mother competently agrees to make that decision.

Alaska Divorce Laws

You’ll need to fill out the right forms when filing for divorce. This is something that you’ll need to talk to a divorce attorney about.

Now, while there’s no guarantee that any of the forms you fill out will be acceptable to the judge, or help you get the desired result of the case, they can still be helpful to you if you don’t have a lawyer.

So, it’s best to treat these forms as a starting point, because not all family situations are the same.

Serve The Forms

After preparing your forms, you’ll need to serve your spouse with these papers. Now, if your spouse is pro-se (in other words, not hired a lawyer yet), then serve them at their last known home address.

If your spouse has a lawyer, serve the papers at the lawyer’s office only.

You can send the papers via certified mail, or hire a process server. Regular first-class mail or delivered by hand will not be acceptable.

Disclose Finances

Finances. No one likes to talk about finances, especially in divorce court proceedings. However, this is something that will need to be addressed among other things.

The clerk will file your documents, and then return the summons and standing order to you. Once you receive the summons and standing order, read them.

The standing order is important to your case because it’s often issued at the beginning, and it requires you and the spouse to fill out a Financial Declaration, which is an affidavit that details each spouse’s finances (i.e., income, expenses, debts, assets, etc.)

This information will help determine how child support will be calculated, or if whether or not one spouse will get alimony.

Don’t Be Divided In The Situation

Now, during this time, it’s important to not be divided in this situation. In other words, don’t try to antagonize your spouse during the court proceedings, unless you have legitimate reasons to.

Remember: This is about you and your family, not just you.

Also, think about your child (or children). They might have questions to ask. It’s important to respect their feelings about this situation. It’s also okay to talk to them about loving the other spouse, regardless of the proceedings.

Now, if you need to vent about the situation, don’t do it with your spouse. Instead, consult a counsellor (perhaps, a family counsellor) to let your emotions go in a healthier way.

As for your family…

Be sure to educate your family about what’s going on; don’t ever sugarcoat the facts. Again, don’t antagonize the spouse. Stay positive about the situation, even if it hurts to admit that you’re sad.

Depending on why you’re divorcing, it’s still important to stay strong for your family and to be transparent about anything that you’re feeling or experiencing.

Now, if you’re not sure how to talk to your family about the situation, consult your divorce lawyer or counsellor.

Alaska Divorce Additional Resources

Finally, know that there are many resources that you can turn to if you ever need additional help on your divorce proceedings in Alaska. Here are just some of the many helpful resources to consult:

Alaska Court System: Family Law Self-Help Center

Helpline: (907) 264-0851 or (866) 279-0851.

Alaska Law Help

Alaska Legal Services Corporation: 907-272-9431.

National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or (TTY) 1-800-787-3224.

WomensLaw.org

Alaska divorce laws are complex, and it’s important to get legal advice from an attorney.

Conclusion on Alaska Divorce Laws

We hope that this article has lessened your emotional burden, as you proceed with divorcing in Alaska. Remember: You’re not alone. And, your family loves you, regardless of the situation. We wish you the best.

Christina Lee is a writer and editor at A-level writing service. As a social media strategist, she helps companies improve their social media presence and digital marketing.