What to do when someone dies in Montana

Montana probate runs through District Court, and the elective share for surviving spouses scales based on the length of the marriage, similar to Colorado. A small estate affidavit is available for estates under $50,000. Montana has no state estate tax.

What this guide covers

How probate works in this state
Estate and inheritance taxes
Surviving spouse rights and protections
Small estate shortcuts and affidavit thresholds
Step-by-step checklist for your family

Order walks your family through every task — from filing the will with the court to closing the final accounts. Use it to stay organized, assign tasks to family members, and make sure nothing gets missed.