Montana Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Montana.
Maximum Claim
$7,000
Filing Fee
$30
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Small Claims Court (Justice's Court)
Hearing Timeline
10–30 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Montana
Search by city, county, or ZIP code to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
How Much Can You Sue For in Montana?
In Montana, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $7,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Montana Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard filing fee | $30 |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the court clerk for a fee waiver application when you file.
Statutes of Limitations in Montana
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
8
years — written contract
5
years — oral contract
2
years — property damage
3
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Montana?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court. Our free guide shows you how to write one in minutes.
Read the demand letter guideWhere to File in Montana
Small claims cases in Montana are handled by the Small Claims Court (Justice's Court). Montana has 56 county Justice Courts.
Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives or where the obligation was to be performed
Not sure which court you need? Our step-by-step filing guide walks you through finding the right court for your case.
Find your specific courthouse: Search for your county courthouse below ↓ — get the address, phone number, hours, and see if e-filing is available.
How to Serve the Defendant in Montana
After filing your claim, you must formally notify the defendant. This is called "service of process" and is required before your case can be heard.
Accepted methods: Personal service by sheriff, process server, or any adult not party to the case
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 10 days before the hearing.
Montana Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
No, attorneys are generally not allowed to represent parties in Montana small claims court. You must represent yourself, though you can consult with a lawyer before your hearing.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 10 days to district court
Is e-filing available?
E-filing is available in some Montana courts but not all. Check with your specific court location.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some Montana courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official Montana Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Montana
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Beaverhead County
Dillon area
(406) 683-3755
Big Horn County
Hardin area
(406) 665-9761
Blaine County
Chinook area
(406) 357-2335
Broadwater County
Townsend area
(406) 266-9230
Carbon County
Red Lodge area
(406) 446-1440
Carter County
Ekalaka area
(406) 775-8754
Cascade County
Great Falls area
(406) 454-6870
Chouteau County
Fort Benton area
(406) 622-5502
Custer County
Miles City area
(406) 874-3408
Daniels County
Scobey area
(406) 487-5432
Dawson County
Glendive area
(406) 377-5425
Deer Lodge County
Anaconda area
(406) 563-4025
Fallon County
Baker area
(406) 778-7128
Fergus County
Lewistown area
(406) 535-5418
Flathead County
Kalispell area
(406) 758-5643
Gallatin County
Bozeman area
(406) 582-2191
Garfield County
Jordan area
(406) 557-2733
Glacier County
Cut Bank area
(406) 873-3631
Golden Valley County
Ryegate area
(406) 568-2102
Granite County
Philipsburg area
(406) 859-3006
Hill County
Havre area
(406) 265-5481
Jefferson County
Boulder area
(406) 225-4055
Judith Basin County
Stanford area
(406) 566-2277
Lake County
Polson area
(406) 883-7259
Lewis and Clark County
Helena area
(406) 447-8201
Liberty County
Chester area
(406) 759-5213
Lincoln County
Libby area
(406) 283-2413
Madison County
Virginia City area
(406) 500-8347
McCone County
Circle area
(406) 485-3548
Meagher County
White Sulphur Springs area
(406) 547-3032
Mineral County
Superior area
(406) 822-3550
Missoula County
Missoula area
(406) 258-3470
Musselshell County
Roundup area
(406) 323-1078
Park County
Livingston area
(406) 222-4170
Petroleum County
Winnett area
(406) 429-5104
Phillips County
Malta area
(406) 654-1118
Pondera County
Conrad area
(406) 271-4030
Powder River County
Broadus area
(406) 436-2503
Powell County
Deer Lodge area
(406) 846-9793
Prairie County
Terry area
(406) 635-4466
Ravalli County
Hamilton area
(406) 375-6755
Richland County
Sidney area
(406) 433-2815
Roosevelt County
Wolf Point area
(406) 653-6261
Rosebud County
Forsyth area
(406) 346-2638
Sanders County
Thompson Falls area
(406) 827-6941
Sheridan County
Plentywood area
(406) 765-3409
Silver Bow County
Butte area
(406) 497-6390
Stillwater County
Columbus area
(406) 322-8040
Sweet Grass County
Big Timber area
(406) 932-5150
Teton County
Choteau area
(406) 466-5611
Toole County
Shelby area
(406) 424-8315
Treasure County
Hysham area
(406) 342-5532
Valley County
Glasgow area
(406) 228-6271
Wheatland County
Harlowton area
(406) 632-4821
Wibaux County
Wibaux area
(406) 796-7671
Yellowstone County
Billings area
(406) 256-2998
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Montana?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide