Civil Case Filing Fee is now $50.00

(will be changed on respective forms/pages soon)

 

Civil E-Filing Instructions | Civil E-Filing Login | Getting and Collecting a Judgment | Download Civil Forms

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Legal Advice | Fees | Jurisdiction Amount | Type of Actions | Representation | Minors |
Evictions | Service | Default Judgment | Trial | Trial Judgment | Collection | Appeal

 

Use these forms if you want to bring a lawsuit against someone who owes you money, who has your personal property or who has caused damage to you. Read the directions for the forms carefully.

Legal Advice:The clerk of the justice court can not give you legal advice. If you need legal advice contact an attorney.

Civil / Small Claims Fees: Effective 7/1/2015

Civil Filing Fee	$50.00
Appearance Fee	$30.00
Civil Appeal Fee*	$20.00
Judgment Fee	$20.00
SC Filing Fee	$30.00
SC Appearance Fee	$20.00

*CIVIL APPEAL/UNDERTAKING BOND - If posted as CASH (must be cash or cashier's check) = The amount of the Judgment (excluding costs) plus $300.00. Example: If the judgment was in the amount of $3000.00 plus costs of $200.00 for a TOTAL JUDGMENT OF $3200.00 - moving party would post $3300.00 CASH.
*CIVIL APPEAL/UNDERTAKING BOND - If posted as an UNDERTAKING (BOND) must be equal to TWICE the amount of the judgment including costs. Example: Judgment is $3000.00 plus costs of $200.00 for a TOTAL JUDGMENT OF $3200.00, moving party would post an UNDERTAKING (BOND) in the amount of $6300.00
*CIVIL APPEAL/UNDERTAKING BOND - If the prevailing party files the appeal, party would post $100.00
*See Rule 6 and Rule 8 Uniform Municipal Court Rules of Appeal to District Court. (These rules apply as we are a court of record). Also See 25-1-401MCA 25-33-205MCA and Local Rule 18.

Jurisdiction Amount: The maximum you can collect through a judgment in justice court is $15,000.00. The value of the property you seek to recover cannot exceed $15,000.00. If you are seeking damages or personal property greater than the limitation you will have to file your action in the district court.

Type of Actions: The justice court has jurisdiction over (1) actions on a contract for recovery of money, (2) actions for damages for taking, detaining or injuring personal or real property, (3) actions to recover personal property, and (4) actions for damages for injury to the person. The value of the claim or property can not exceed $15,000.00.The justice court does not have jurisdiction when the action involves title to real property, false imprisonment, libel, slander, seduction, malicious prosecution, determination of paternity, or abduction.

Representation: You may file the complaint individually or through an attorney. If you are filing for a corporation, partnership, or other entity, the complaint must be filed through an attorney. Read the handout entitled “Representation in Justice Court” provided in this packet.

Minors: If the plaintiff, or the defendant, is under the age of 18 a guardian ad litem will need to be appointed before you can proceed with your complaint. See the clerk.

Evictions: If you are a landlord seeking possession of your rental property ask the clerk of court for the landlord/tenant packet.

Service: The defendant must be served a copy of the complaint and summons. Service must be made within the state of Montana. Service outside the state of Montana may not be valid. If you are serving a corporation, partnership or person who resides outside the state of Montana, consult Rule 4 of the Justice and City Court Civil Rules. You can not serve the defendant yourself. You can serve the defendant by having a levying officer or the sheriff give the forms to the defendant. You can serve the defendant by having a person over the age of 18 give the forms to the defendant. Proof of service must be signed by the person making the service and filed with the clerk of the justice court. The original summons must be returned to the clerk of the justice court.

The clerk of the justice court maintains a list of qualified levying officers. You will be required to pay all fees of the levying officer or the sheriff. The fees for service varies, you should contact the levying officer or the sheriff for the fees they charge.

 

Default Judgment: You may request the clerk of court to enter a default judgment against the defendant if an answer is not filed within 20 days of service. You can not receive a default judgment for more than you asked for in your complaint. There is no judgment fee if you receive a default judgment.

 

Trial: Your complaint will not be heard until after the defendant has been served and filed an answer. You must attend the trial. Failure to attend the trial will result in dismissal of your complaint. Be sure to bring along any witnesses, books, papers, or other evidence which will help prove to the court that you are entitled to a money judgment, judgment for damages or possession to the property.

 

Trial Judgment: The judge will consider all the evidence presented at the trial and enter a judgment within 30 days. You will be required to pay a judgment fee of $20.00 to the clerk of court if the judgment is entered in your favor. If you do not pay the judgment fee an execution on the judgment or a transcript of judgment will not be issued by the clerk of court.

 

Collecting the Judgment: Read the handout entitled “How to Collect a Judgment” provided in this packet.

 

Appeal: A judgment may be appealed by any party to the district court within 30 days after entry of judgment. A notice of appeal must be filed with the justice court and a copy sent to the opposing party. You must pay a fee of $20 upon filing the notice of appeal. The judgment is stayed when the appeal fee is paid and the appeal bond is posted. Failure to file the appeal bond equal to the judgment and costs, or deposit money equal to the judgment and costs, within 10 days of filing the notice of appeal shall result in the dismissal of the appeal. The appeal bond, or money deposit, of a prevailing party is $100 and costs.

While the Justice Court clerks are pleased to assist you in any way possible, please understand that we are unable to provide legal advice. If you need legal advice or have questions, please contact an attorney.