Small Claims Plainly

State guide

Montana

This is general information, not legal advice. Montana's small claims court is described in Title 25, chapter 35, part 5 of the Montana Code Annotated. Section 25-35-502 says the court has jurisdiction over all actions for the recovery of money or specific personal property when the amount claimed does not exceed $7,000, exclusive of costs, and the defendant can be served within the county where the action is commenced. The same section covers an interpleader under section 25-35-508 when the amount claimed does not exceed $7,000. Costs are outside the $7,000. The defendant must be servable in the county. That service limit is part of jurisdiction, not a clerical preference.

Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
Which court hears it
Small claims court
Dollar limit we could verify
Montana Code Annotated section 25-35-502 says small claims court has jurisdiction over actions for money or specific personal property when the amount claimed does not exceed $7,000, exclusive of costs, if the defendant can be served in the county. Interpleader is included at the same amount.
Statute or court page
Official page →
Filing or self-help page
Official page →

Money and specific personal property are both named. A claim for a particular item of property can fit if the amount claimed does not exceed $7,000 before costs. An interpleader, which asks the court to decide who should receive money or property several people claim, fits only within the same dollar line and only under section 25-35-508. Read that section before you file an interpleader, because the procedure is more particular than a simple debt claim. The history line shows amendments through 2011. Use the text on the legislature's current MCA page.

Service inside the county is a jurisdictional condition in the sentence that sets the $7,000 line. If the defendant cannot be served in the county where you file, section 25-35-502 does not grant jurisdiction. Choose the county where service is possible, if that county is also a proper place to file under the rest of the small-claims part. Ask the clerk of court to confirm. Montana's district courts and courts of limited jurisdiction are explained on the judicial branch website. Small claims court is the limited forum this statute creates. A claim above $7,000, or a defendant who can be served only in another county, belongs in a different proceeding.

Bring proof of the amount: a bill, a photograph, a title, or a contract. Costs can be requested as costs. Do not bury them in the $7,000 demand in a way that makes the amount claimed unclear. The statute says 'exclusive of costs,' so the claim and the costs are separate numbers. This directory does not state a filing fee or a hearing deadline. Those live in other sections and in local practice. After a judgment, ask the clerk how a small-claims judgment is enforced. A jurisdictional statute does not collect the money.

Official resources in Montana

MCA § 25-35-502

Statute stating the $7,000 small-claims jurisdiction and the in-county service condition.

Montana Legislature MCA

Official Montana Code Annotated.

Montana Judicial Branch

Court site for clerk locations and self-help.

Key facts for Montana

What to do next

  1. File in a county where the defendant can be served.
  2. Keep costs out of the $7,000 amount claimed.
  3. Read section 25-35-508 before filing an interpleader.
  4. Ask the clerk how a judgment is enforced.

Looking for your city or county in Montana?

We haven't found official court-level pages for Montana we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:

  1. General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Montana, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
  2. Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.
    Montana Judicial Branch
    Website →
    Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.
    Your city or county office: Local governments →
    Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Montana page on USA.gov can point you to the right office.
  3. Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.

Helpful guides

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