LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

California vs Montana: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

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

Montana
Cheaper LLC
Montana
Cheaper Divorce
California
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: California vs Montana

California
Montana

Filing Fee

$70
$35 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Annual Report

$820
$15 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$800
$0 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Est. Year-1 Total

$870
$35 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

California: California charges $800/year minimum franchise tax regardless of income. This makes CA one of the most expensive states to maintain an LLC.

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

California: World's 5th largest economy — unbeatable market access if you operate here.

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

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Small Claims Court: California vs Montana

California
Montana

Max Claim Limit

$12,500 WIN
$7,000

✓ California is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$30
$30

It's a tie

Contract SOL

4 yrs
8 yrs WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: California vs Montana

California
Montana

Filing Fee

$435
$120 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$40 WIN
$50

✓ California is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0
$0

It's a tie

Notary Fees: California vs Montana

California
Montana

Acknowledgment

$15
$10

Jurat

$15
$10

RON Fee

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is California or Montana cheaper to form an LLC?
Montana is cheaper to form an LLC — $35 vs $70. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: California year-1 total is $870 vs Montana at $35.
What is the LLC filing fee in California vs Montana?
The LLC filing fee is $70 in California vs $35 in Montana. In addition to the one-time filing fee, California charges a $820 annual report fee and Montana charges a $15 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — California 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 California, form there — registering in Montana and then foreign-qualifying in California 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 California and Montana?
Montana has lower divorce filing fees — $120 vs $435. Both states also charge for service of process ($40 in California, $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 California vs Montana?
The small claims limit is $12,500 in California vs $7,000 in Montana. California allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $30 in California and $30 in Montana.