Montana Divorce and Dissolution Resources

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A Montana divorce is filed in the District Court, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.

Montana's core family statutes live in the Montana Code Title 40 - Family Law. In Montana, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the clerk. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.

Official Montana divorce resources

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Montana family law forms (official index) (Montana judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Montana family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://courts.mt.gov/forms

Montana court 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 official filing information (Montana judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Montana and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://courts.mt.gov/courts/efile/

Montana financial affidavit and disclosure forms (courts.mt.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Montana family cases ask both sides to complete. https://courts.mt.gov/forms

Montana mediation and dispute resolution (Montana judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Montana family case without a trial. https://courts.mt.gov/mediation

Verified official Montana divorce documents

These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.

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

Official link data for Montana was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file for divorce in Montana?

In the District Court that serves the county where you live. In Montana, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the clerk.

How much does it cost to file a family case in Montana?

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.

Do I need a lawyer to file a Montana divorce?

No. Montana publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.