Montana Judgment Enforcement Guide | Debt Collection & Skip Tracing

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Montana Judgment Enforcement — Quick Facts

10 yrs
Judgment Lifespan
5 yrs
Debt SOL (Written)
10%
Post-Judgment Interest
✗
COMMUNITY PROPERTY STATE

Montana provides a 10-year judgment lien and 10% post-judgment interest. Wage garnishment is available with standard limitations, and the homestead exemption of $350,000 is relatively high. Creditors targeting real property must focus on equity above the exemption.

Montana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Debt Type Limitation Period Statute
Written Contract 5 years MCA §27-2-202
Open Account / Credit Card 5 years MCA §27-2-202
Oral Contract 5 years MCA §27-2-202
Promissory Note 5 years MCA §27-2-202
Judgment Lien 10 years MCA §27-2-201

Montana’s 5-year SOL applies to most written contracts. Partial payments and written acknowledgments can restart the statute under MCA §27-2-109.

Post-Judgment Interest Rate

Montana post-judgment interest accrues at 10% per annum under MCA §25-9-205. Interest is simple and begins on the judgment date.

Judgment Recovery Methods in Montana

Wage Garnishment yes
Montana allows wage garnishment of 25% of disposable earnings or the excess over 30× federal minimum wage per week, whichever is less (MCA §25-13-614).
Bank Account Levy yes
Bank account garnishments are available after judgment under MCA §25-13-502. Creditor serves a writ of execution or garnishment on the financial institution.
Abstract of Judgment / Lien yes
Recording a certified judgment in the county clerk and recorder’s office creates a lien on all non-exempt real property in that county (MCA §25-9-301).
Turnover Order yes
Montana courts may issue orders requiring debtors to appear for examination and disclose assets. Contempt proceedings available for non-compliance.
Writ of Execution yes
Writs of execution allow the sheriff to levy on non-exempt personal property (MCA §25-13-501).
Vehicle Levy yes
Montana exempts one motor vehicle up to $4,500 in equity under MCA §25-13-609. Additional vehicles or higher equity may be levied.

Debtor Exemptions

Asset Type Exemption Amount Statute
Homestead $350,000 MCA §70-32-101
Motor Vehicle $4,500 equity MCA §25-13-609
Wages 75% of disposable earnings MCA §25-13-614
Personal Property $4,500 MCA §25-13-609
Retirement All ERISA-qualified plans MCA §31-2-106

Judgment Value Calculator

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Official Montana Resources

Montana Courts – Case SearchCivil case records statewideMontana SOS – Business Entity SearchEntity & registered agent lookupMontana County Clerk & Recorder – LiensReal property & judgment lien recordsMontana Legislature – Montana Code AnnotatedOfficial state statutes

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Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Statutes change — verify current law with a licensed Montana attorney before taking collection action.