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Divorce in Montana: forms, cost, and how to file

A plain-English overview of getting an uncontested divorce in Montana — the residency rule, the no-fault ground, the filing fee, and the official forms — from LawCat, a free service built by attorneys.

Official Montana court forms →

Montana divorce at a glance

Residency requirement
90 days
No-fault ground
Irretrievable breakdown, shown by either 180+ days living apart OR serious marital discord; joint petition path avoids service. Residency: 90 days domiciled in Montana.
Filing fee
$250 for dissolution ($200 filing + $50 judgment fee) per May 2024 clerk fee schedule (courts.mt.gov/External/dcourt/docs/feeschedule.pdf). Fee waiver: Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs and…
Child support
Montana Child Support Guidelines (ARM 37.62, DPHHS Child Support Services Division) with CSSD worksheets A/B — Melson-formula variant, the only non-income-shares oddity in this batch besides MS/NV.
E-filing (self-represented)
Not available to pro se: mtefile.courts.mt.gov is attorney-only; self-represented parties file in person, by mail, or by email where a county accepts it.
County differences
Low-moderate. Statewide packets used everywhere; some county clerks publish their own pro se checklists (e.g., Powell, Ravalli) but not divergent pleading forms.
Official statewide forms
YES. Official statewide packets from the Montana Judicial Branch: joint uncontested dissolution without children (courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/jointdis-nokids.pdf), joint petition with children…

Official source: Montana court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.

Coming soon

Montana document generation is on the way

LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to Montana. In the meantime, the official Montana court forms are linked below.

Official Montana forms → See how it works

Why LawCat is free

Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.

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Montana divorce FAQ

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Montana?

No. Montana allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your Montana divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.

How long do I have to live in Montana to file for divorce?

90 days

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Montana?

$250 for dissolution ($200 filing + $50 judgment fee) per May 2024 clerk fee schedule (courts.mt.gov/External/dcourt/docs/feeschedule.pdf). Fee waiver: Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs and Fees (docx form; ~125% FPL standard). With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.

This page is general information about Montana’s court process, not legal advice for your situation, and LawCat is not a law firm. Forms and fees change — verify with the official court source above. Reviewed 2026.