LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Georgia vs Montana: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

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

Montana
Cheaper LLC
Montana
Cheaper Divorce
Georgia
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Georgia vs Montana

Georgia
Montana

Filing Fee

$100
$35 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Annual Report

$50
$15 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$100
$35 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Georgia: Georgia's foreign qualification fee ($225) is more than double the domestic formation fee.

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

Georgia: Atlanta's business ecosystem makes Georgia attractive for Southeast operations.

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

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Small Claims Court: Georgia vs Montana

Georgia
Montana

Max Claim Limit

$15,000 WIN
$7,000

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$45
$30 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs
8 yrs WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Georgia vs Montana

Georgia
Montana

Filing Fee

$200
$120 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$50
$50

It's a tie

Children Surcharge

$50
$0 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Notary Fees: Georgia vs Montana

Georgia
Montana

Acknowledgment

$2
$10

Jurat

$2
$10

RON Fee

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Georgia or Montana cheaper to form an LLC?
Montana is cheaper to form an LLC — $35 vs $100. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: Georgia year-1 total is $100 vs Montana at $35.
What is the LLC filing fee in Georgia vs Montana?
The LLC filing fee is $100 in Georgia vs $35 in Montana. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Georgia charges a $50 annual report fee and Montana charges a $15 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Georgia 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 Georgia, form there — registering in Montana and then foreign-qualifying in Georgia 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 Georgia and Montana?
Montana has lower divorce filing fees — $120 vs $200. Both states also charge for service of process ($50 in Georgia, $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 Georgia vs Montana?
The small claims limit is $15,000 in Georgia vs $7,000 in Montana. Georgia allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $45 in Georgia and $30 in Montana.