The figures on this page are general estimates. Laws, fees, thresholds, and prices differ by state and change often, and your own situation may change the result. Before you act, confirm the current numbers and rules for Montana with a licensed professional — an attorney, tax advisor, or licensed agent as appropriate. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship.
When the clock starts in Montana
The single fact that governs every other date on this page: in Montana the creditor-claim period runs from the date of first publication of the notice to creditors, subject to a one-year outer limit running from death.
This is not the same in every state. Some states run the period from the date of death, others from the date letters are issued to the personal representative, others from first publication of the notice to creditors. A deadline calculated from the wrong event is simply wrong, and a missed claim deadline is not curable.
Montana deadlines at a glance
| Deadline | Montana | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory | Nine months after appointment. The personal representative prepares an inventory of probate property listing each item's fair market value as of the date of death and any encumbrance. | Mont. Code Ann. §72-3-607(1) |
| Creditor claim period | Four months after the date of first publication of the notice. A creditor given written notice by mail or other delivery has the later of that four-month period or 30 days from the mailing or delivery. Publication is mandatory in Montana — the statute directs that the personal representative shall publish. | Mont. Code Ann. §§72-3-801, 72-3-803(1) |
| Outer claim bar | One year after the decedent's death. Montana bars claims at the EARLIER of one year from death or the notice period, so the one-year limit can cut off a claim before the published four months has run its course. | Mont. Code Ann. §72-3-803(1)(a) |
The inventory deadline, as written
Within 9 months after appointment, a personal representative who is not a special administrator or a successor to another representative who has previously discharged this duty shall prepare an inventory of probate property owned by the decedent at the time of the decedent's death, listing the inventory of property with reasonable detail and indicating for each listed item its fair market value as of the date of the decedent's death and the type and amount of any encumbrance that may exist with reference to the item.
— Mont. Code Ann. §72-3-607(1)
The creditor-claim period, as written
Unless notice has already been given under this section, a personal representative upon appointment shall publish a notice once a week for 3 successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county announcing the personal representative's appointment and address and notifying creditors of the estate to present their claims within 4 months after the date of the first publication of the notice or be forever barred.
— Mont. Code Ann. §§72-3-801, 72-3-803(1)
What this page does not state
Where a figure is not recorded above, it is because it was not found in the statute cited — not because no deadline exists. Court rules, local rules, and standing orders set additional dates that are not part of the statutory text, and those are not reproduced here. Confirm every date against the Montana court handling the estate.
Sources
- Statutes: Mont. Code Ann. §72-3-607(1); Mont. Code Ann. §§72-3-801, 72-3-803(1); Mont. Code Ann. §72-3-803(1)(a)
- Authority: Montana Legislative Services, Montana Code Annotated 2025 (archive.legmt.gov)
- Source URL: https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0720/chapter_0030/part_0080/section_0030/0720-0030-0080-0030.html
- Verified: 2026-08-16
Related Montana guides
- How Long Does Probate Take in Montana? — the overall timeline these deadlines sit inside.
- How much does probate cost in Montana? — the cost side.
- How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Montana? — compensation for the work.
- Montana Probate Fee Sheet — printable one-page reference.
- Executor Duties: The Complete Checklist — what the role involves.
Executor deadlines in other states
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This page reproduces Montana statutory deadlines as published at the time of verification. It is not legal advice. Statutes are amended, court rules impose additional dates, and application depends on the specific estate. Confirm every date with the Montana court or a licensed Montana attorney.