LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Arizona vs Montana: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Arizona and Montana — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.

Montana
Cheaper LLC
Montana
Cheaper Divorce
Montana
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Arizona vs Montana

Arizona
Montana

Filing Fee

$50
$35 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Annual Report

$0 WIN
$15

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$100
$0 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$150
$35 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Arizona: Arizona requires publication in a newspaper for 3 consecutive weeks (~$30–$100 depending on county).

Montana: Montana has no sales tax — beneficial for product-based businesses.

Arizona: No annual report fee — one of the lowest ongoing costs in the US.

Montana: Lowest formation fee in the US at $35. No sales tax.

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Small Claims Court: Arizona vs Montana

Arizona
Montana

Max Claim Limit

$3,500
$7,000 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$29 WIN
$30

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs
8 yrs WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Arizona vs Montana

Arizona
Montana

Filing Fee

$349
$120 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$25 WIN
$50

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0
$0

It's a tie

Notary Fees: Arizona vs Montana

Arizona
Montana

Acknowledgment

$10
$10

Jurat

$10
$10

RON Fee

$10
$10
All Legal Costs in Arizona →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Montana →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arizona or Montana cheaper to form an LLC?
Montana is cheaper to form an LLC — $35 vs $50. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees and publication requirements: Arizona year-1 total is $150 vs Montana at $35.
What is the LLC filing fee in Arizona vs Montana?
The LLC filing fee is $50 in Arizona vs $35 in Montana. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Arizona has no annual report fee and Montana charges a $15 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Arizona or Montana?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in Arizona, form there — registering in Montana and then foreign-qualifying in Arizona means paying fees to both states. The "form in a cheaper state" strategy mainly benefits online businesses with no physical location.
How do divorce filing fees compare between Arizona and Montana?
Montana has lower divorce filing fees — $120 vs $349. Both states also charge for service of process ($25 in Arizona, $50 in Montana). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in Arizona vs Montana?
The small claims limit is $3,500 in Arizona vs $7,000 in Montana. Montana allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $29 in Arizona and $30 in Montana.