Forms for Settling an Estate in Montana

Free forms for settling an estate in Montana: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.

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IRS Form 56

Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.

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Digital Assets Recovery Letter

Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.

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Petition for Probate and Letters

In Montana, the petition asks the District Court to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableMCA § 72-3-201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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Notice to Creditors

In Montana, the notice to creditors is published for 3MCA §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803, 72-3-804, 72-3-805, 72-3-807Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsMCA §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.

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Small Estate Affidavit

In Montana, the Collection of Personal Property by AffidavitMCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $100,000MCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 30 daysMCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.

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Estate Inventory

In Montana, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 270 daysMCA §§ 72-3-607, 72-3-609Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.

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Estate Closing

In Montana, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsMCA § 72-3-1004(2), 72-3-1011Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.

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IRS Form 1310

Claim a refund due a deceased taxpayer on the official form, on the box the form routes you to, with what the form says to attach.

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Tools for Settling an Estate in Montana

Free tools for settling an estate in Montana: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In Montana, certified death certificates come from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services - Office of Vital RecordsMontana Department of Public Health and Human Services - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $16Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.

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Do I Need Probate?

In Montana, estates valued at $100,000MCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Collection of Personal Property by AffidavitMCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysMCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.

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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?

Montana requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Mont. Code Ann. § 15-30-2103 (as amended by Ch. 227, L. 2025 — HB 337)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

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.

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What Do I Do When Someone Dies?

After a death in Montana, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $100,000MCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 monthsMCA §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.

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How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Montana levies no estate or inheritance taxMont. Code Ann. § 72-16-905 (estate tax = maximum federal state death tax credit — a pickup tax that computes to $0 for deaths after 12/31/2004, IRC § 2011 credit repealed by EGTRRA 2001; part 9 still codified); Mont. Code Ann. Title 72, ch. 16, pts. 1, 3, 4, 7, 8 (inheritance tax) repealed eff. Jan. 1, 2001 (I-145, Nov. 2000)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?

Montana imposes no inheritance or estate taxMont. Code Ann. § 72-16-905 (estate tax = maximum federal state death tax credit — a pickup tax that computes to $0 for deaths after 12/31/2004, IRC § 2011 credit repealed by EGTRRA 2001; part 9 still codified); Mont. Code Ann. Title 72, ch. 16, pts. 1, 3, 4, 7, 8 (inheritance tax) repealed eff. Jan. 1, 2001 (I-145, Nov. 2000)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate.

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Hire a Montana Probate Attorney

Browse 49 probate firms in Montana with addresses, contact info, and practice details.

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Montana Estate Settlement Resources

In-depth guides covering Montana probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.