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Divorce in Montana


A brief guide to divorce in Montana

Couples who wish to separate in Montana should keep the following in mind:

Montana state divorce laws

Montana’s technical name for divorce is “dissolution of marriage.” To apply for divorce in Montana, one person in the relationship must have been a resident of the state for at least 90 days before filing a petition for divorce. If children under the age of 18 are involved, you must be a resident for at least six months before filing for divorce.

Grounds for divorce

Couples must demonstrate that the marriage is beyond the point of repair to be granted a divorce in Montana. This can be proven either by showing the couple have been living apart for 180 days or more or by proving that there is serious discord within the relationship. 

Legal separation

Couples uncertain if they wish to file for divorce in Montana may apply for legal separation. This is a binding agreement resolving terms of child support, alimony and other considerations while the couple lives separately but remains married. After six months, if the couple wishes to divorce, the terms of the legal separation will be applied to their divorce.

Types of divorce

Couples who agree on all the terms of their separation can file a joint petition for their dissolution of marriage. Spouses can contest the divorce but do not have consent to a divorce in Montana.

No fault divorce

Montana allows for no-fault divorce, meaning no wrongdoing by either spouse must be proven. 

Steps in the divorce process

The Montana divorce process consists of three parts: filling a petition for the dissolution of marriage, notifying your spouse you are filing for divorce and appearing in the district court handling such cases in your area.

Spousal support

Couples filing a joint petition for dissolution of marriage can submit a written agreement of their plan. Otherwise, the terms of spousal support, including whether support will be permanent or temporary, will be determined by the judge hearing the case on the basis of:

• the financial resources of the person applying for support

• how much time the person seeking support needs for education or training to find employment

• the standard of living during the marriage

• the length of the marriage

• the age, mental and physical fitness of the person seeking suport

• the ability of the spouse being asked to provide support 

Child support

Factors taken into consideration by the court when awarding child support include the child’s age, whether day-care is needed and how much it costs, the parents’ and child’s financial resources, the child’s standard of living during the marriage and how much time each parent spends with the child. The final calculations are made by the state’s computer software programs.

Fathers’ and mothers’ rights

Mothers are awarded child custody by default in cases of divorce in Montana. Fathers must apply for custody and prove that they are better capable of taking care of the child.

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