--- title: "Montana Small Claims Court: $7,000 Limit, $30 Fee | MCC" description: "Montana small claims court: claims up to $7,000, filing fee $30. Check your amount and see where to file, from official court pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/tools/small-claims-montana" --- Free checker · Montana small claims # Montana small claims court: the $7,000 limit and how to file Montana's limit, fees, who can file and the official steps, taken from Montana's own court pages (checked November 2026). **Short answer.** In Montana, small claims court covers claims up to **$7,000**. Where to file: County where the defendant can be served (MCA 25-35-502); the court form says the defendant must live in the county or be able to be served in the county. The fee to start a case is **$30**. ## Can I file my claim in Montana small claims? Enter an amount to compare it with the Montana limit of $7,000. Need the other side served? [Process serving with an affidavit of service](/notary/process-serving). ## Montana small claims at a glance Limit $7,000. MCA 25-35-502 (2025 code): small claims jurisdiction over actions for 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. Last amended 2011 (Ch. 284, L. 2011). A Montana courts justice court form also states real estate eviction cases cannot be filed in small claims. Also interpleader (MCA 25-35-508): $7,000 Court Small Claims Court (Justice Court small claims; small claims divisions of district court also exist by statute) Who can file Per Montana Judicial Branch justice court form: plaintiff must file in person and be sworn to the complaint; form says to send a certified demand letter and wait 10 days before filing. Defendant must be servable in the county. Lawyers Allowed with limits Where to file County where the defendant can be served (MCA 25-35-502); the court form says the defendant must live in the county or be able to be served in the county. Serving the other side Court form lists 'Service of Order'; counterclaims must be served on the plaintiff by sheriff or process server. Check the local justice court for details. Appeal Per Montana courts justice court form: appeal within 30 days from signed judgment date; case transfers to district court (form lists a $300 good-faith deposit/bond requirements and a $20 transfer fee; check current amounts). ### Montana filing fees | Fee | Amount | Note | | --- | --- | --- | | Park County Justice Court | $30 | Cash or check only | Park County Justice Court's small claims page lists a $30 filing fee, the same amount as the Montana Judicial Branch's justice court comparison form (revised 07/2013). Check the fee with your local justice court. **Not confirmed for Montana:** online filing. The official Montana page we checked didn't state this, so we left it out. Ask the clerk or see the [official page](https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/civil/city_jp/civil-small.pdf). ## Want us to handle it? A runner files your papers in person at the clerk's window and sends you a scan of the stamped copy. We file what you prepared; we don't give legal advice. **Price:** Outside New Jersey it goes through our contractor network: quote-based, confirmed before any work starts, and booked once a local contractor accepts. In New Jersey it is from $75 per filing, court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay. [Request a court filing](/notary/court-filing#request) ## Filing a small claim in Montana, step by step - **Check that your claim fits**Use the checker above: the Montana limit is $7,000, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos. - **Pick the right court**County where the defendant can be served (MCA 25-35-502); the court form says the defendant must live in the county or be able to be served in the county. - **Fill out the claim and pay the fee**The filing fee in Montana is $30, depending on the claim. Park County Justice Court's small claims page lists a $30 filing fee, the same amount as the Montana Judicial Branch's justice court comparison form (revised 07/2013). Check the fee with your local justice court. - **Have the other side served**Court form lists 'Service of Order'; counterclaims must be served on the plaintiff by sheriff or process server. Check the local justice court for details. - **Get ready for the hearing**Lawyers: allowed with limits. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side. - **After the decision**Per Montana courts justice court form: appeal within 30 days from signed judgment date; case transfers to district court (form lists a $300 good-faith deposit/bond requirements and a $20 transfer fee; check current amounts). ## Official Montana links - [Montana small claims self-help page](https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/civil/city_jp/civil-small.pdf) - [MCA 25-35-502 Jurisdiction (Montana Code Annotated 2025)](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0250/chapter_0350/part_0050/section_0020/0250-0350-0050-0020.html) - [Park County, Montana, Justice Court: Small Claims ($30 filing fee)](https://www.parkcountymt.gov/Government-Departments/Justice-Court/Small-Claims/) Last checked November 2026. General information checked against the official Montana pages above, not legal advice. MCC Solutions isn't a law firm and isn't affiliated with any court. Rules and fees change: the official page and the clerk have the final word. The checker runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent or saved. ## Montana small claims questions **What is the small claims limit in Montana?** $7,000. MCA 25-35-502 (2025 code): small claims jurisdiction over actions for 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. Last amended 2011 (Ch. 284, L. 2011). A Montana courts justice court form also states real estate eviction cases cannot be filed in small claims. **How much does it cost to file a small claim in Montana?** Park County Justice Court: $30 (Cash or check only). Park County Justice Court's small claims page lists a $30 filing fee, the same amount as the Montana Judicial Branch's justice court comparison form (revised 07/2013). Check the fee with your local justice court. **Can a lawyer represent me in Montana small claims?** Allowed with limits in Montana, per the official page. Per Montana Judicial Branch justice court form: plaintiff must file in person and be sworn to the complaint; form says to send a certified demand letter and wait 10 days before filing. Defendant must be servable in the county. **Where do I file a small claim in Montana?** County where the defendant can be served (MCA 25-35-502); the court form says the defendant must live in the county or be able to be served in the county. **Can I appeal a small claims decision in Montana?** Per Montana courts justice court form: appeal within 30 days from signed judgment date; case transfers to district court (form lists a $300 good-faith deposit/bond requirements and a $20 transfer fee; check current amounts). **How is the other side served in a Montana small claims case?** Court form lists 'Service of Order'; counterclaims must be served on the plaintiff by sheriff or process server. Check the local justice court for details. Compare every state: [small claims limits by state](/tools/small-claims-court-limits-by-state) · [Missouri small claims](/tools/small-claims-missouri) · [Nebraska small claims](/tools/small-claims-nebraska) Share ## Put this tool on your own site Free to use. Paste this where you want it to appear. It runs in the visitor's browser, so nothing they enter is sent to us. [See every calculator you can embed](/embed) Filing a small claim in Montana? ## Small Claims Case Organizer Organize your Montana case: a demand letter to adapt to Montana's rules, an evidence checklist, a timeline, hearing notes and a collection log, plus an Excel damages calculator and deadline tracker. [Get the organizer ($19)](/toolkits/small-claims-case-organizer) [Free sample](/toolkits/small-claims-case-organizer#free-starter)14-day full refund Coming soon ### Montana Small Claims Court Kit This kit is being finished: every state rule in it is checked against official sources before it goes on sale. [See what it will include](/toolkits/montana-small-claims-court-kit) ## More free checklists and calculators [See all free tools](/free-tools)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)