Free Montana forms for planning an estate or settling one: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed, and the probate forms an executor files.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
In Montana, a will is signed before 2MCA § 72-2-522Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyMCA § 72-2-522Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Montana requires 2Mont. Code Ann. § 50-9-103Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not requiredMont. Code Ann. § 50-9-103Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Montana treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultMCA § 72-31-305Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed with no witness or notary requirementMCA § 72-31-305Verified Sep 18, 2026View source.
In Montana, a pour-over will is signed before 2MCA § 72-2-522Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
In Montana, a transfer on death deed is signed before a notaryMCA 72-6-401 to 72-6-418Verified Oct 18, 2026View source, then recorded with the county before the owner's deathMCA 72-6-401 to 72-6-418Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Montana: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
In Montana, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 1.8%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
Probate in Montana takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 1.8%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Montana costs an estimated $24,934MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.8%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Montana costs an estimated $24,934MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source and takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 1.8%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate. Estates under $100,000MCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source can use a small-estate procedure instead.
Settling an estate in Montana: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 270 daysMCA §§ 72-3-607, 72-3-609Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMCA §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803, 72-3-804, 72-3-805, 72-3-807Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Montana runs $3,620Estimate: 10 hours at $362, Clio's Montana Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,430Estimate: 15 hours at $362, Clio's Montana Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $957Estimate: 3 hours at $319, Clio's Montana Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,914Estimate: 6 hours at $319, Clio's Montana Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
50 estate planning firms in Montana: probate, trust administration, and estate planning, by county and practice area.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
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50 firms
FirmBillings, MT
Billings law firm helping clients create estate plans that protect assets and ensure families are provided for. Probate lawyers can help legally verify a loved one's will and guide families through the probate process. Licensed in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Arizona, and California.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrust LitigationTax Planningand 2 more
FirmMiles City, MT
One of Eastern Montana's longest-standing law firms, with roots dating back to the late 1800s as Lucas & Tonn, P.C. Now operates under the Rice & Martin name. Attorney Dan Rice also serves as County Attorney for Prairie County and City Attorney for Miles City.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness FormationReal Estate
FirmBozeman, MT
Founded in the 1980s in Bozeman, providing timely, competent, and practical legal advice to individuals and business owners in real estate, business, and probate law. Prepares deeds, wills, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawReal EstateWills Trusts
FirmBozeman, MT
Montana business, real estate, and estate planning attorneys serving clients throughout Montana including Billings, Great Falls, Havre, Livingston, Miles City, Sidney, and Glasgow. Merged with Josephson Law Firm in Big Timber. Offices in Bozeman, Helena, Big Timber, Butte, and Billings.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningBusiness LawReal Estate
FirmMissoula, MT
Handles estate planning, probate, and trust administration for families in Missoula and western Montana. Drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and represents clients in estate and probate proceedings, guardianships, and conservatorships. Founding attorney Don St. Peter is a past chair of the State Bar of Montana business, estates, trusts, tax and real property section.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningGuardianshipWills Trusts
FirmBillings, MT
Boutique Billings law firm devoted exclusively to estate planning and elder law. Helps families protect their assets and loved ones from the legal impacts of incapacity, death, and taxes. Services include living trusts, wills, probate, trust administration, powers of attorney, irrevocable trusts, family limited partnerships, and charitable giving.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more
FirmKalispell, MT
Providing Montana probate services, estate planning, wills and trusts, and elder law since 1995. Serves all counties in Montana from Kalispell and Columbia Falls offices, including Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Missoula, and Miles City. Offers a free 30-minute consultation and remote handling with no need for face-to-face meetings.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more
FirmKalispell, MT
Kalispell firm, formerly Travis & Brann, PLLP, handling estate planning, probate, and trust matters for Flathead Valley families. Also provides personal injury, real estate transaction, and mediation services.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateWills Trusts
FirmPolson, MT
Polson law firm located across the street from the Lake County Courthouse. Provides estate planning, probate, real estate law, civil litigation, and personal injury services. Licensed in Montana and South Carolina.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateReal Estate
FirmHelena, MT
Helena law firm providing estate planning and probate services with clarity and compassion. Also maintains an office in Anaconda. Practice areas include personal injury, family law, estate planning and probate, business law, and real estate litigation.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateReal Estate
