Personal Representation

A personal representative must be 18 or more years of age. A Montana personal representative need not be a resident of the same county or state as the deceased. For example, he or she may be a resident of Glendive and serve as a personal representative in Helena.

Determine Your Priority for Appointment. Receive Written Waivers From Other Candidates. Contact Court in the County Where Deceased Resided. File the Petition for Administration. Attend the Probate Hearing. Secure a Probate Bond.

A personal representative usually is named in a will. However, courts sometimes appoint a personal representative. Usually, whether or not the deceased left a will, the probate court will issue a finding of fact that a will has or has not been filed and a personal representative or administrator has been appointed.

How much are the attorney's fees for probate proceedings? In Montana, the maximum fees attorneys may charge for probate proceedings are set by statute. Based on the gross value of the estate, without Court approval, the maximum fee cannot exceed 4.5% of the first $40,000, and 3% of the remainder.

A personal representative is appointed by a judge to oversee the administration of a probate estate.When a personal representative is nominated to the position in a will, he's commonly called the executor of the estate.

If you are unmarried and die without a valid will and last testament in Montana, then your entire estate goes to any surviving children in equal shares, or grandchildren if you don't have any surviving children. If you die intestate unmarried and with no children, then by law, your parents inherit your entire estate.

You can legally prepare your own will, it can even be handwritten. This type of will is known as a "holographic will." In Montana, your handwritten will must be signed by you. Your signature must also be located on any material provisions, and no witnesses will need to be present for the signing of your will.

An executor is someone named in your will, or appointed by the court, who is given the legal responsibility to take care of any remaining financial obligations. Typical duties include: Distributing assets according to the will. Maintaining property until the estate is settled (e.g., upkeep of a house)