A writ of possession—also known as a writ of eviction—is a court order issued after the landlord wins an eviction case in court against a residential or commercial tenant. This court order gives the landlord the exclusive right to possession of the property. The local sheriff or constable will often serve the writ of possession or eviction on the tenant and will physically remove the tenant if necessary.

A writ of possession is also issued to a purchaser of a property that was foreclosed on and sold at a sheriff’s sale—which historically took place on the courthouse steps, and sometimes still does. In the foreclosed property context, the writ of possession allows the purchaser who bought the property in foreclosure to take immediate possession of the property.

Laws regarding writs of possession or writs of eviction vary from state to state, including the amount of time the tenant has to vacate the property after being served with the writ of possession or writ of eviction—generally ranging from 24 hours to 30 days—before being physically removed by the sheriff or constable.

In Alaska, a writ of possession, also known as a writ of eviction, is a legal document that a court issues to enforce an eviction order. After a landlord successfully wins an eviction lawsuit, the court may issue this writ to grant the landlord the right to reclaim the property from a tenant. The writ is typically served by a law enforcement officer, such as a sheriff, who may also be responsible for physically removing the tenant if they do not leave voluntarily. In the case of foreclosed properties, the writ of possession allows the new owner, often the winning bidder at a foreclosure sale, to take control of the property. The specific time frame for a tenant to vacate after receiving a writ of possession in Alaska can vary, but it is generally shorter than in many other states. Tenants may have as little as 24 hours to leave the premises before law enforcement intervenes. It is important for both landlords and tenants to understand the specific procedures and timelines set forth by Alaska statutes and local rules, as these can affect the eviction process and the enforcement of a writ of possession.