Want it written for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a Statement of Claim laid out so you can copy each field onto the official Small Claims Complaint, plus a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Montana claim qualifiesThe Montana Small Claims Form
📄 Small claims complaint (statewide template)
The form that opens your case. Download it free from courts.mt.gov.
Montana Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Justice Court, Small Claims Division (City Court in some cities) |
| Claim limit | $7,000 |
| Claim form | Small claims complaint (statewide template) |
| Filing fee | $30 — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | SHERIFF/constable/process server only (personal; no mail) (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Law that sets the limit | MCA 25-35-502 |
| Court data verified | July 9, 2026 |
Filing Deadlines in Montana
How long the law gives you to file. When the clock starts depends on the claim, so do not leave it late: a claim filed after the deadline can be dismissed however strong it is.
| Type of claim | Time to file | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-202(1) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 5 years | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-202(2) |
| Damage to property | 2 years | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-207 |
| Personal injury | 3 years | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-204(1) |
| Unpaid debt or account | 5 years — 8 years where the debt is founded on an instrument in writing — Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-202(1). | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-202(2) |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Being Sued in Montana Instead?
Do you file an answer? No written answer is used; you appear and answer at the hearing date in the order. (MCA 25-35-607)
If they owe you money: Only a counterclaim from the same transaction is allowed, and you must have it served on the plaintiff at least 72 hours before the hearing. (MCA 25-35-606)
The been-sued deadline lookup covers what happens if you do nothing.
Where to Get the Official Montana Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — courts.mt.gov
- Official source — courts.mt.gov
- Official source — courts.mt.gov
- The clerk of the Justice Court, Small Claims Division (City Court in some cities) — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does Montana compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
Montana Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in Montana?
The form that opens the case is the Small Claims Complaint. The official source is courts.mt.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in Montana small claims court?
In Montana you can claim up to $7,000 in the Justice Court, Small Claims Division (City Court in some cities). If your claim is larger, you can usually reduce it to the limit or file in a higher court instead.
❓ How much does it cost to file small claims in Montana?
The filing fee is $30 — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the Montana small claims form for me?
We write a Statement of Claim from your answers, laid out so you can copy each field onto the official Small Claims Complaint yourself — we do not produce the form itself. It comes with a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist.
Want it written for you?
A few plain-English questions about your Montana case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Montana claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.