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. Real property counts toward the limitMCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Montana sets the limit by the decedent's date of deathMCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; an earlier death may be measured against a lower figure. An estate over the limit does not qualify, and no affidavit is prepared for it.

No. Montana has no statewide fillable petition form. The petition is drafted to the contents the appointment statute requires and filed with the District CourtMont. Code Ann. §§ 72-3-201 to 72-3-225 (informal probate & appointment); §§ 72-3-301 to 72-3-321 (formal testacy & appointment); §§ 72-3-501 to 72-3-518 (PR appointment, qualification, bond)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. Montana's e-filing is attorneys onlyMont. Code Ann. §§ 72-3-201 to 72-3-225 (informal probate & appointment); §§ 72-3-301 to 72-3-321 (formal testacy & appointment); §§ 72-3-501 to 72-3-518 (PR appointment, qualification, bond)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source, so a self-represented filer files on paper.

The creditor claim period of 4 monthsMCA §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803, 72-3-804, 72-3-805, 72-3-807Verified Sep 15, 2026View source runs from the first publication of the creditor notice, which follows the executor's appointment. A claim not presented in time is barred. Every claim is barred 12 monthsMCA §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803, 72-3-804, 72-3-805, 72-3-807Verified Sep 15, 2026View source after the date of death, whether or not notice was given.

Within 270 daysMCA §§ 72-3-607, 72-3-609Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of the personal representative's appointment.

The personal representative closes an unsupervised estate by filing a verified closing statement under MCA § 72-3-1004, certifying that the creditor-claim period has expired, the estate is fully administered and distributed, and a full written account has been furnished to affected distributees; no hearing or court order is required. A formal alternative (petition for an order of complete settlement, MCA § 72-3-1001) has the district court adjudicate the final account, distribution, and the PR's dischargeMCA §§ 72-3-1001, 72-3-1003, 72-3-1004, 72-3-1005, 72-3-1011, 72-3-1015Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.