Montana Small Claims Court Kit: the $7,000 Limit, Filing Guide, Demand Letter, Evidence and Hearing Prep, and a Claim Calculator

Who it is for

People and small businesses with a money claim in Montana that may fit under $7,000, and people who have been sued there and want the same organized record. 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.

Not the right fit if

Your claim is outside Montana, over its small claims limit, or needs a lawyer (an injury, a dispute over land, a family case). Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• Built only from our Montana small claims data file, checked November 2026 against MCA 25-35-502 Jurisdiction (Montana Code Annotated 2025); Montana Judicial Branch: Civil Complaints vs. Small Claims (justice court form, rev. 07/13); Park County, Montana, Justice Court: Small Claims ($30 filing fee).
• 1 detail isn't stated on those pages, so the kit leaves it out and lists it once to look up, with the official page.
• Official forms are linked, not copied, so you always file the court's current version.

What is inside

• Start here and is small claims right?. How to use the kit, the 9 confirmed Montana facts at a glance, a short look-up list (online filing) with the page to check, and a yes/no checklist: is the amount under $7,000, is it the right court, is there someone to serve and something to collect from.
• Montana filing guide. Where and how to file, from the official pages: 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. Fees: 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.
• Service, the hearing and after in Montana. Service: 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. Lawyers are allowed, with limits. 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).
• Demand letter and response tracker. A neutral demand letter to fill in (what happened, the amount, a reply-by date, how to pay), a log of every reply and offer, and a short checklist before sending.
• Evidence organizer and hearing prep. An exhibit list numbered for the judge, a timeline, witness notes, a three-minute opening outline and a hearing-day packing list.
• Montana small claims workbook (Excel). A claim calculator that adds up your items and compares the total with $7,000 and $7,000 (interpleader (MCA 25-35-508)), a costs sheet with the Montana fee list, a deadline sheet in business days that skips weekends and federal holidays, and a collection tracker with the balance owed.