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Montana publishes its own official family law forms, filing instructions, and self-help materials, but they are spread across several government sites. This page organizes the official Montana sources in one place so you can go straight to the right court page for forms, e-filing, rules, and locations.
Montana's core family statutes live in the Montana Code Title 40 - Family Law. Check with your local clerk of court for how they want documents from people without a lawyer, since some accept email.
How the Montana court system handles family cases
Family cases in Montana are heard in the District Court. Montana's District Court hears all divorce and custody cases.
Montana's 56 counties are grouped into judicial districts.
Montana's highest court is the Montana Supreme Court. Montana has no middle appeals court - appeals go straight to the Supreme Court.
Besides the judge, a Magistrate / Commissioner may handle parts of a family case. Besides the judge, a magistrate, commissioner, or referee may hear temporary orders, child support, and uncontested matters - usually subject to a judge's review.
Official Montana resources
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Montana state courts website (Montana judicial branch): The official home of the Montana court system, with statewide news, rules, and links to every court. https://courts.mt.gov
Montana family law forms (Montana judicial branch): The official statewide collection of family law forms published for Montana cases. Start here when you need the current version of a form. https://courts.mt.gov/forms
Montana self-help resources (Montana courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Montana family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.montanalawhelp.org
Montana Courts Electronic Filing (Tyler Technologies): Montana's e-filing system keeps adding courts, but it is attorney-only. The courts say plainly that e-filing is not available to self-represented litigants right now, so you file family court papers on paper or by mail with your clerk of district court. https://mtefile.courts.mt.gov/login
Montana Court Locator (by county or city) (Montana judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your county, with locations and contact details. https://courts.mt.gov/court-locator
Montana rules of procedure (Montana judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Montana. https://courts.mt.gov/Courts/Rules/District
Montana mediation and dispute resolution (Montana judicial branch): Official information on mediation and alternative dispute resolution options for Montana family cases. https://courts.mt.gov/mediation
Montana financial affidavit and disclosure forms (courts.mt.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Montana family cases ask for. https://courts.mt.gov/forms
Montana child support guideline resources (courts.mt.gov): Official Montana child support guideline materials, worksheets, or calculators. https://dphhs.mt.gov/cssd/services/Guidelines
Montana District Court Public Access Portal (Montana courts): Look up existing case records. Access is listed as free and the system is organized county-by-county. https://dcportal.pubcourts.mt.gov/
Frequently used official Montana forms
These links open official Montana government form documents directly. Courts revise forms, so if a direct link stops working, use the statewide forms collection above to find the current version.
Affidavit for Entry of Decree of Dissolution of Marriage Without Hearing (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/affidavitforentrydecreewithouthearing.pdf
Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage (Annulment) (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/invalidity-marriage.pdf
How to File for Divorce in Montana (Joint Dissolution without Children) (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-22-Joint-Disso-No-Kids-Intro-5.20.2026.pdf
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage With Children (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/dissolution-child-packet.pdf
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Without Children (packet) (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/end_marriage/dis_wc/all.pdf
Answer to Petition for Parenting Plan (packet) (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/parentplan/ppresponse-packet.pdf
Joint Petition for Parenting Plan (packet) (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/parentplan/joint-pp.pdf
Child Support Affidavit (Child Support), official document: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/cssd/financialaffidavit.pdf
Montana Child Support Guidelines Tables (Child Support), official document: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/cssd/PolicyManual/cs404-2.pdf
CSSD Financial Affidavit (Financial Affidavits / Disclosures), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/CSSD-Financial-Affidavit.pdf
Complete Packet for Joint Parenting Plan (Parenting Plan), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/docs-PP/Joint-Parenting-Plan-8.21.2026.pdf
Complete Packet for Parenting Plan (Parenting Plan), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/parentplan-packet.pdf
How to File a Joint Petition for Parenting Plan in Montana (Parenting Plan), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/docs-PP/MP-23-Joint-Parenting-Intro-revised.pdf
Response to Amendment of Parenting Plan (Parenting Plan), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/pp_packet/ResponseToAmendOfPP.pdf
Paternity Establishment Instructions for Unmarried Parents (Paternity), official document: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/cssd/PaternityInfoForParents.pdf
Complete Packet for Protective Order (Domestic Violence / Protective Orders), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/domestic/protectiveorderpacket.pdf
Notice of Hearing to Modify, Terminate or Object to Renewal of Protection Order (Domestic Violence / Protective Orders), official document: https://dojmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ovs7a.pdf
Order for Modification or Termination of Protection Order or Denial of Motion (Domestic Violence / Protective Orders), official document: https://dojmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ovs7b.pdf
Amending a Parenting Plan When Both Parents Agree (Modification), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/pp_packet/agreed_amended_pp.pdf
Amending a Parenting Plan When Parents Disagree (Modification), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/pp_packet/pp_mod_contested.pdf
Petition for Contempt to Enforce a Parenting Plan (Contempt / Enforcement), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/pp_packet/enforcing_pp2.pdf
Emergency Motion to Adopt Interim Parenting Plan (Emergency Motions), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/pp_packet/EmergencyParentPlanAdoption.pdf
MP - 121 (Starting Your Case), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-121-Joint-Petition-for-Disso-w-Kids-rev-6.30.2026.pdf
MP - 122 (Starting Your Case), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-122-Joint-Petition-for-Disso-No-Kids-6.1.2026.pdf
MP - 123 (Starting Your Case), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/docs-PP/MP-123-Joint-Petition-for-Parenting-Plan-6.1.2026.pdf
Petition (Starting Your Case), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/name_chg/minor_petition_for_name_change.pdf
Response to Dissolution with Children (Answering the Case), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/diskids-reponse-packet.pdf
Response to Dissolution without Children (Answering the Case), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/disnokids-reponse-packet.pdf
Fee Waiver Form (Fee Waiver), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/FeeWaiver.pdf
Name Change Packet (Adult) (Name Change), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Adult_Name_Change_3_2_20261.pdf
Name Change Packet, Minor Child (Name Change), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/name_chg/child_name_change.pdf
Name Change Sealed (Name Change), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/name_chg/name_change_sealed.pdf
Notice of Hearing on Name Change (Name Change), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/name_chg/minor_notice_hearing.pdf
Adult Adoption Forms (Adoption / Stepparent Adoption), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/adoption/Adult_Adoption_Packet20240619.pdf
Stepparent Adoption Packet (Adoption / Stepparent Adoption), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/adoption/step_parent_adoption.pdf
1 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP402-1cheatsheet.pdf
2 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP402-2cheatsheet.pdf
3 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP402-3cheatsheet.pdf
Complete Packet for Dissolution without Children (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/disnokids-packet.pdf
Complete Packet for Joint Dissolution with Children (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/Joint-Dissolution-of-Marriage-With-Children-8.21.20261.pdf
Complete Packet for Joint Dissolution without Children (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/Joint-Dissolution-of-Marriage-Without-Children-8.21.20261.pdf
Consent to Change (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/name_chg/minor_consent_to_name_change.pdf
How to file for Joint Dissolution with Children Montana (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-21-Joint-Disso-w-Kids-Intro-rev-5.20.2026.pdf
Introduction to Family Law in Montana (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/end_marriage/introduction_to_family_Law.pdf
Jointdis Nokids (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/jointdis-nokids.pdf
MP - 113 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP-113.pdf
Mp - 113-B (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP-113-B.pdf
Mp - 113-C (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP-113-C.pdf
Mp - 113-D (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP-113-D.pdf
Mp - 121.1 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-121.1-Hearing_Request-Joint-Disso-w-Kids-5.20.2026.pdf
Mp - 121.2 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-121.2-Hearing-Order-Joint-Disso-w-Kids-5.20.2026.pdf
Mp - 122.1 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-122.1-Hearing_Request-Joint-Disso-no-Kids-5.20.2026.pdf
Mp - 122.2 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-122.2-Hearing-Order-Joint-Disso-no-Kids-5.20.2026.pdf
Mp - 123.1 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/docs-PP/MP-123.1-Final-Hearing-Request-Jt-Parenting-Plan-6.1.2026.pdf
Mp - 123.2 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/docs-PP/MP-123.2-Hearing-Order-Joint-Parenting-5.20.2026.pdf
MP - 130 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-130-Consent-to-Entry-of-Decree-5.20.2026.pdf
MP - 320 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-320-Joint-Parenting-Plan-8.10.2026.pdf
MP - 401 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution/MP-401-Request-to-Sheriff-to-Serve-Documents-22-03-09.pdf
MP - 407 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP-407.pdf
MP - 423 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/docs-PP/MP-423-Joint-Notice-to-CSSD-Parenting-Only-5.20.2026.pdf
Mp - 510-a (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP-510-AJ.pdf
MP - 521 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-521-Joint-Property-8.10.2026.pdf
MP - 721 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-721-Joint-Decree-Dissow-Kids-7.16.2026.pdf
MP - 722 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-722-Joint-Decree-Disso-No-Kids-7.16.2026.pdf
MP - 723 (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/docs-PP/MP-723-Joint-Decree-Parenting-Plan-7.16.2026.pdf
MP 520 Joint Disclosure (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/forms/Dissolution-docs/MP-520-Joint-Disclosure-5.20.2026.pdf
MP-112 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP112cheatsheet.pdf
MP-113 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP113cheatsheet.pdf
MP-203 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP203cheatsheet.pdf
MP-300 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP300cheatsheet.pdf
MP-404 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP404cheatsheet.pdf
MP-500 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP500cheatsheet.pdf
MP-701 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP701cheatsheet.pdf
MP-702 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP702cheatsheet.pdf
MP-704 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP704cheatsheet.pdf
MP-713 Instructional Cheat Sheet (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/MP713cheatsheet.pdf
Notice of Intent to Move (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/forms/dissolution/noticemove.pdf
Order Changing Name (Self-Represented Litigant Resources), official document: https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/name_chg/minor_order_for_name_change.pdf
Filing fees: Dissolution filing fee: ~$170.
E-filing link data for Montana was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
The official statewide source is the Montana judicial branch forms collection linked on this page. Always download forms from the official site so you have the current version, and check whether your county adds local forms or cover sheets.
Montana's e-filing system keeps adding courts, but it is attorney-only. The courts say plainly that e-filing is not available to self-represented litigants right now, so you file family court papers on paper or by mail with your clerk of district court. Check with your local clerk of court for how they want documents from people without a lawyer, since some accept email.
Dissolution filing fee: ~$170. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Family cases in Montana are heard in the District Court. Montana's District Court hears all divorce and custody cases.