How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Montana in 2026?
How much does a divorce cost in Montana? If you file it yourself and agree, it costs about $300 to $500. With a lawyer on a simple case, it runs $1,500 to $3,500. A contested divorce costs $7,500 to $25,000 or more. The filing fee is $250.
The cost of divorce in Montana depends on one big thing. That thing is whether you and your spouse agree. Montana’s system is built for couples who settle, with joint petitions, a summary track, and no fault to prove. Montana law calls a divorce a dissolution of marriage, so you will see that word in the official papers.
This guide breaks down the Montana filing fee and the cost by type. It also shows how to keep your divorce affordable. Every number here is a 2026 number. The real total depends on your path and your lawyer.
Quick Answer: Montana Divorce Costs at a Glance
Here is the average cost of divorce in Montana in 2026, at a glance. The filing fee is set by state law. The total depends on your path, not just the fee. An agreed divorce stays low, while a court fight climbs fast.
| Cost factor | Montana (2026) |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $250 ($200 filing fee plus $50 judgment fee) |
| Uncontested total (DIY) | $300 to $500 |
| Average with a lawyer | $3,500 to $9,000 |
| Contested divorce | $7,500 to $25,000 or more |
| Typical timeline | Agreed cases 1 to 3 months (hearing no sooner than 20 days after filing); contested 8 to 18 months |
Filing Fees and Court Costs in Montana
The Montana divorce filing fee is $250, set by state law. That is a $200 filing fee plus a $50 judgment fee. You pay it when you file the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in District Court. Agreeing couples file a joint petition as Co-Petitioners, which means both sign together and skip service.
Service adds cost on a solo filing, at about $50 to $100. A cooperating spouse can instead be served by mail and sign an Acknowledgement of Service. A joint petition needs no service at all. The responding spouse has 21 days after service to respond.
Both spouses must share their finances. Each prepares and exchanges a Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure, which lists all assets, debts, income, and expenses, within 60 days of service. An automatic economic restraining order also starts at filing. Neither spouse may transfer, hide, or spend down marital property, and hiding an asset can cost you the whole asset.
You may be able to remove the fees. Low-income filers can file a Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs and Fees. A judge must approve it. The state also offers free dissolution packets. You can find them on the official Montana Judicial Branch website, and you can see our guide to divorce filing fees by state.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Montana by Type?
How much a divorce costs in Montana depends on the type you choose. A simple agreed case costs far less than a court fight. The table below shows the typical total for each path. Your path is set by how much you agree.
| Divorce type | Typical total cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| DIY uncontested (file yourself) | $300 to $500 |
| Uncontested with a lawyer | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Mediated divorce | $1,250 to $4,000 |
| Contested divorce | $7,500 to $25,000 or more |
An uncontested divorce Montana couples file themselves is the lowest option. If you use the free packets, you pay close to the filing fee. The average cost of divorce in Montana climbs once a lawyer or a court fight is involved. The MT uncontested divorce cost is hard to beat, and you can see our uncontested divorce guide.
What Affects the Cost of Divorce in Montana
A few things affect the cost of divorce in Montana. Your track is the biggest factor. Summary dissolution is a simplified joint-petition path with strict limits, and it is the cheapest route. A joint petition is next, and a fought case costs the most.
Agreement and disclosure come next. The only ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, which means it cannot be fixed. Living apart for 180 days is one way to prove that, but serious marital discord works too, with no separation needed. The disclosure duty matters a lot here, since an undisclosed asset can backfire badly.
Property division adds legal time. Montana uses equitable distribution, which means a fair split, not an automatic 50/50. The judge weighs the length of the marriage, each spouse’s situation, and their contributions, including homemaking. Property owned before the marriage or inherited is usually left with its owner.
Children and location finish the list. A Final Parenting Plan is required in every case with minor children. Support follows the state guidelines. Billings lawyers charge the most, and rural counties have fewer lawyers.
How to Keep Divorce Costs Down in Montana
You can keep the cost of divorce in Montana low. The biggest saving comes from using the simplest track you qualify for. A few simple moves make a real difference. Here are the best ones.
- Check summary dissolution. It is the cheapest track in Montana for couples who qualify.
- File a joint petition. When you file together, you skip service completely.
- Use the free court packets. Both the courts site and Montana Law Help offer free forms.
- Exchange complete disclosures. An undisclosed asset can be awarded entirely to your spouse, so do it right.
- Settle in writing before you file. Agree on property and parenting first, so there is nothing to fight over.
- Use a flat-fee or limited-scope lawyer. Pay only for a review of your agreement, not the whole case.
These steps add up to a cheap divorce in Montana. For more ways to save, read our cheap divorce guide. Free help is available at Montana Law Help.
Montana Divorce Filing Steps (Summary)
Filing for divorce in Montana follows a clear path. It is simplest when your case is agreed. Here are the main steps in order.
- Meet the residency rule. One spouse must be domiciled in Montana for 90 days before filing.
- Pick your track. Choose summary dissolution, a joint petition, or a solo Petition for Dissolution.
- Prepare your packet. Use the free official forms.
- File and pay the fees. File in District Court and pay the $250 in fees. Or file the inability-to-pay statement.
- Serve your spouse. Use a sheriff, server, or mail with a signed acknowledgment. They have 21 days to respond. Joint petitions skip this.
- Exchange disclosures. Trade the Preliminary Declarations within 60 days, and sign your property settlement and final parenting plan.
- Finalize the divorce. After 20 days from filing, the judge holds the final hearing and signs the Decree of Dissolution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It costs a $200 filing fee plus a $50 judgment fee, so $250 total, set by state law. Service adds $50 to $100, unless you file jointly or serve by mail with a signed acknowledgment. A fee waiver can remove the fees if your income is low.
An uncontested divorce in Montana costs $300 to $500 if you use the free court packets. The summary dissolution track is even less hassle. That is mostly the filing fee. The cost rises to $1,500 to $3,500 with a flat-fee lawyer, and agreed cases finish in 1 to 3 months.
The final hearing cannot be held until at least 20 days after filing. Agreed cases usually finish in 1 to 3 months. Contested cases take much longer, often 8 to 18 months. Living apart for 180 days is only one way to prove the marriage is broken, and it is not required.
A divorce lawyer in Montana costs about $175 to $325 per hour, with an average near $250. Billings charges the most. A flat fee for a simple agreed case runs $1,500 to $3,500. A contested case costs much more, often $7,500 to $25,000 or more per spouse.
The Bottom Line
How much a divorce costs in Montana ranges from $300 for an agreed DIY case to $25,000 or more for a court fight. The filing fee is just $250. A signed agreement, plus the summary or joint-petition track, is the biggest cost lever you control. Agree with your spouse, and you keep it cheap and fast.
To estimate your own number, try our divorce cost calculator. You can also read our pillar guide on how much a divorce costs.
For information only, not legal advice.
