$7,000Claim Limit
$25–$45Filing Fee
5 yrsSOL Period
30 daysAppeal Window
Montana Small Claims Rules
| Court Name | Justice Court — Small Claims Court |
| Claim Limit | $7,000 ($7,000 for businesses) |
| Filing Fee | ~$25–$45 (varies by claim amount and county) |
| Statute of Limitations | 5 years for most contract disputes |
| Attorneys | ✓ Attorneys allowed Attorneys are allowed |
| Service of Process | Sheriff or certified mail |
| Appeal Deadline | 30 days from judgment |
| Judgment Valid For | 10 years |
| Online Filing | ✗ In-person at courthouse |
| Official Court Website | https://courts.mt.gov → |
Montana Security Deposit & Wage Rules
| Deposit Return Deadline | 10 days (no deductions) / 30 days (with itemization) |
| Penalty for Violation | Up to $500 or actual damages (whichever is greater) |
| Wage Claims SOL | 5 years |
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What You Need to Know About Montana Small Claims
Montana small claims are filed in Justice Court with some of the lowest filing fees in the country (~$25–$45). Montana's security deposit return deadline of 10 days (without deductions) is among the shortest in the US — landlords must act very quickly. The $7,000 limit handles most consumer disputes.
Filing Tips for Montana
1
Montana has one of the lowest filing fees nationally — ~$25 for smaller claims
2
The 10-day deposit return deadline (no deductions) is one of the shortest in the US — document your move-out date precisely
3
File in the justice court of the county where the defendant resides or where the dispute occurred
4
Montana's rural geography means some courts are far away — confirm hearing dates and travel time in advance
Common Cases in Montana
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