As of May 22, 2023, Montana laws regarding evictions have changed. A renter now has only 5 business days after being served with eviction papers to file a written Answer to Eviction with the Clerk of Court where the eviction lawsuit was filed. Please do not wait to file your written Answer.
5 Steps to Take When Served with Eviction Court Papers in Montana
Learn how to respond to an eviction lawsuit and download free court forms that you can use to file an Answer.
What You Should Know about Evictions in Montana
Learn what you should do if you have received a notice terminating your lease or been served with eviction court papers in Montana.
What is a Legal Notice to Vacate?
Learn what Montana law says is a valid notice to vacate. Download a free form that you can send to your landlord to tell them if the notice they sent you wasn’t valid.
How to Protect Your Security Deposit (FAQ)
Learn how to protect your security deposit if you rent a residential unit in Montana.
Mediation and the Family Transition Project
Learn about what happens during and after mediation. Learn about what rights you have regarding mediation.
Your Section 8 Legal Rights: Informal Hearing and Review Process
Learn about the informal hearing and review process in the federal housing programs that exist in all 50 states -- the Housing Choice Voucher (also called "Section 8") program and project-based housing assistance.
Your Section 8 Rights: Evictions and Terminations
Learn about evictions and lease terminations in the federal housing programs that exist in all 50 states -- the Housing Choice Voucher (also called "Section 8") program and project-based housing assistance.
How to Answer When You Get Sued (Step-by-Step Guide)
Learn the steps you should take to protect your rights and find free court forms to download.
Montana Tenants' Rights and Duties Handbook
A guide to your rights and duties as a tenant in Montana.
Steps a Landlord Must Follow to Get Rid of a Tenant's Property (FAQ)
If you leave property behind when you move out there is a process your landlord must follow before they can dispose of your things. If you get a notice from your landlord about property you left behind you should respond and go get the property.
25 Things to Know Before You Go to Court
Learn how to make an objection, call and question witnesses, introduce exhibits and evidence, and more tips for representing yourself in court.
4 Things You Can Do To Protect Your Housing
Learn 4 steps you can take to protect your housing if you live in Montana.
What To Do If There's a Judgment For Eviction (or Default) Already Entered Against You
Use this resource if your landlord filed an eviction case against you and you didn’t file an answer or respond before the court entered a judgment against you.
Answer to Eviction Lawsuit (Write-in-the-blank Form)
Download a free court form to file an Answer to Eviction Lawsuit in Montana.
What is a Legal Notice to Vacate?
Learn what Montana law says is a valid notice to vacate. Download a free form that you can send to your landlord to tell them if the notice they sent you wasn’t valid.
How to Apply for Relief if Your Landlord Gets a Judgment Against You (aka Default Judgment)
You can use these forms if your landlord sued you in Justice Court and got a judgment against you because you did not file a written answer or you did not appear in court. This can also be called a default judgment or a judgment for possession. You must have a good reason for why you didn’t file a written answer or appear in court. It’s up to the court to decide whether you had a good reason.
Answer to Eviction (Interactive Form)
Use a free interactive program to create court forms to file an Answer to Eviction. You only have 5 business days after you were served with eviction court papers to file an Answer to Eviction.
Improper Notice to Vacate Letter (write-in-the-blank form)
Download a free legal form to tell your landlord that the notice to vacate your landlord gave you is not proper under the law. Do not use this form if you own a mobile home and rent only the lot that it sits on.
Motion to Appoint Interpreter (write-in-the-blank form)
You can use this form to ask the court to appoint an interpreter for you in a lawsuit if you a person who has a limited ability to read, write, or understand English or if you have a hearing impairment and require interpretation services.
Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs and Fees (interactive form)
Use a free interactive program to create court forms to ask the court to waive your filing fees.
Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs and Fees (write-in-the-blank form)
Download a free write-in-the-blank court form to ask the judge to let you file court documents without paying a fee.