Montana Legal Costs (2026)
Complete breakdown of common legal fees in Montana — from forming a business to filing in court. All data sourced from official Montana government websites.
How Montana ranks vs all 50 states
Understanding legal costs in Montana before you file saves money and prevents surprises at the courthouse. Forming an LLC costs $35 in state filing fees , with a $35 annual report due each year after. If you need to sue someone in small claims court, you can recover up to $7,000 — and filing costs between $20 and $50. Divorce filing in Montana starts at $120, not counting attorney fees or service costs. All figures below are sourced directly from official Montana government and court websites and updated for 2026.
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LLC Formation Costs in Montana
Full detailsForming an LLC in Montana requires filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and paying the $35 state fee. After formation, Montana LLCs must file an annual report and pay $35 each year to stay in good standing. Your estimated first-year total including filing is $35+.
The annual report fee is $35 on the state fee schedule, but it is waived for reports filed by April 15 in 2026 and 2027.
Lowest formation fee in the US at $35. No sales tax.
Small Claims Court in Montana
Full detailsMontana's small claims court — the Justice Court — handles disputes up to $7,000 without requiring an attorney. Filing costs between $20 and $50 depending on the claim amount. You must file within the statute of limitations: 8 years for written contracts and 5 years for oral agreements. Send a demand letter before filing — it costs nothing and often resolves the dispute without a court date.
Montana's 8-year statute of limitations on written contracts is one of the longest.
Divorce Filing Costs in Montana
Full detailsFiling for an uncontested divorce in Montana starts at $120 in court filing fees. Serving your spouse through the sheriff's office costs an additional $50. These are court fees only — attorney costs, if applicable, are separate and vary widely by case complexity.
Montana has low, uniform divorce filing fees — one of the cheapest states in the nation. District court fees are consistent statewide.
Notary Fees in Montana
Full detailsMontana caps notary fees by law. The maximum fee for an acknowledgment is $10 per signature. Jurat notarizations (sworn statements) cost up to $10. Remote online notarization (RON) is permitted in Montana and costs up to $10 per act. For documents requiring multiple signatures or notarial acts, fees multiply per signature — always confirm the total before your appointment.
$10 per act; RON also $10 plus a technology fee. Fee schedule must be displayed.
Common Legal Cost Scenarios in Montana
Real-world combinations of legal fees you may face — based on official Montana filing costs.
How Montana Compares to Neighboring States
| State | LLC Filing | Divorce Fee | SC Limit | Notary Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana ◀ | $35 | $120 | $7,000 | $10 |
| North Dakota | $135 | $80 | $15,000 | $5 |
| South Dakota | $150 | $95 | $12,000 | $10 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $100 | $6,000 | $10 |
| Idaho | $100 | $207 | $15,000 | $5 |
All fees from official state government sources. Compare all 50 states
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