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Home→Tools→Personal Property Value Estimator→Montana

What Are My Personal Items Worth for Probate in Montana?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Montana. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal property in Montana is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.MCA § 72-3-1101 (small estate $100K, 30-day wait, personal property only; amended Ch. 453, L. 2023), § 72-3-1103 (formula-based summary closing), § 72-3-631 (reasonable PR compensation), § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees), § 72-3-513 (bond), § 72-3-201 (informal probate), § 72-3-801 (4-month creditor claim from first publication), § 25-1-201(1)(m) ($70 base probate filing fee), § 25-1-202 ($20 additional filing fee), § 3-1-317 ($10 IT surcharge), § 72-3-607 (inventory)Verified Jun 1, 2026 Most household items (furniture, electronics, clothing) lose 50-90% of their value. Professional appraisals are used for art, collectibles, jewelry, and other high-value items.

Yes. Montana probate fees are typically 2-4% of the estate value, which includes personal property.MCA § 72-3-1101 (small estate $100K, 30-day wait, personal property only; amended Ch. 453, L. 2023), § 72-3-1103 (formula-based summary closing), § 72-3-631 (reasonable PR compensation), § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees), § 72-3-513 (bond), § 72-3-201 (informal probate), § 72-3-801 (4-month creditor claim from first publication), § 25-1-201(1)(m) ($70 base probate filing fee), § 25-1-202 ($20 additional filing fee), § 3-1-317 ($10 IT surcharge), § 72-3-607 (inventory)Verified Jun 1, 2026 Accurate fair market valuations — rather than purchase prices — keep the reported estate value lower. Use the Montana probate calculator to estimate total costs.

Estates with personal property under $100,000 in Montana may qualify for Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit, which avoids full probate.MCA § 72-3-1101 (small estate $100K, 30-day wait, personal property only; amended Ch. 453, L. 2023), § 72-3-1103 (formula-based summary closing), § 72-3-631 (reasonable PR compensation), § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees), § 72-3-513 (bond), § 72-3-201 (informal probate), § 72-3-801 (4-month creditor claim from first publication), § 25-1-201(1)(m) ($70 base probate filing fee), § 25-1-202 ($20 additional filing fee), § 3-1-317 ($10 IT surcharge), § 72-3-607 (inventory)Verified Jun 1, 2026 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Montana probate need checker.

High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles typically require professional appraisals. For typical household items — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing — fair market value can be estimated using comparable sales data. Montana probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.MCA § 72-3-1101 (small estate $100K, 30-day wait, personal property only; amended Ch. 453, L. 2023), § 72-3-1103 (formula-based summary closing), § 72-3-631 (reasonable PR compensation), § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees), § 72-3-513 (bond), § 72-3-201 (informal probate), § 72-3-801 (4-month creditor claim from first publication), § 25-1-201(1)(m) ($70 base probate filing fee), § 25-1-202 ($20 additional filing fee), § 3-1-317 ($10 IT surcharge), § 72-3-607 (inventory)Verified Jun 1, 2026

Total probate costs in Montana include attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. Personal property value is one component of the gross estate that determines fee calculations. The Montana probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

Not necessarily. Items with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts), jointly held property, and assets in a trust bypass probate. Only personal property owned solely by the deceased passes through probate in Montana. The Montana probate need checker determines which assets require probate.

Personal Property Valuation in Montana

Probate attorney fees in Montana typically range from 2%MCA § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees); § 72-3-631 (PR compensation); § 72-3-633 percentage schedule repealed 2019Verified Jun 1, 2026 to 4%MCA § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees); § 72-3-631 (PR compensation); § 72-3-633 percentage schedule repealed 2019Verified Jun 1, 2026 of the estate value. Personal property is part of that calculation, so reporting items at fair market value rather than original cost keeps the total lower.

Montana allows simplified procedures for estates under $100,000MCA § 72-3-1101Verified Jun 1, 2026. Fair market valuations of household items — which are typically far below purchase prices — can bring an estate under the threshold. The Montana probate need checker evaluates eligibility.

Court filing fees in Montana start at $100MCA § 25-1-201(1)(m); MCA § 25-1-202(1)(a); MCA § 3-1-317Verified Jun 1, 2026. Combined with attorney fees, executor compensation, and publication costs, total probate expenses depend heavily on the reported estate value. The Montana probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated June 1, 2026

Legal Sources

  • MCA § 25-1-201(1)(m); MCA § 25-1-202(1)(a); MCA § 3-1-317
  • MCA § 72-3-1101
  • MCA § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees); § 72-3-631 (PR compensation); § 72-3-633 percentage schedule repealed 2019

Data sourced from Montana statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Montana Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Montana probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

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Click categories on the left to add items. Name each item, pick a type, and enter what you paid.

These estimates are based on general resale market data and insurance industry depreciation guides. They are approximations, not professional appraisals. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay on the open market. For high-value items or contested estates, consult a certified appraiser.

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