Montana Probate | Inheritance Advances in Montana

After someone passes away in Montana, their designated heirs must settle the estate in court through a method called probate. Probate is the legal process associated with distributing a deceased person’s belongings and can take several months or even years. Though it’s difficult to avoid probate in Montana, there are many ways to alleviate the process.

No heir should have to wait to access the money they’ve rightfully inherited. At Inheritance Funding, we offer advances on your probate so you can get your rightful inheritance without the wait. We’re proud to be the largest probate advance provider in the industry.

How Long Does Probate Take in Montana?

Probate seems like a pretty straightforward concept, but in reality, it’s a long and complex process riddled with holdups and setbacks. These complications can prevent you from collecting your money quickly.

When a loved one dies, you have up to two years to file probate with the local courts. Montana probate law also requires heirs to wait at least five days to begin proceedings. Once you file probate, the process usually takes six months to a year, though it can be longer. The average wait time for Montana probate is about 10 months.

If your loved one’s estate is considered a small estate, you can apply for a summary administration process, which takes significantly less time than typical probate. This exemption only applies to estates with less than a combined value of $20,000 in homestead property, $10,000 in exempt property and $18,000 in family allowance.

Is Probate Required in Montana?

In most cases, probate is required in Montana. However, Montana is one of 18 states with a Universal Probate Code (UPC), which allows heirs to choose from informal, unsupervised or supervised formal probate. The size of your loved one’s estate and whether they have a will are the most critical factors in determining your legal probate requirements.

Estates under $50,000 are eligible for an informal probate process requiring a signed affidavit instead of lengthy court proceedings. In Montana, this small estate probate process is often quicker and more affordable than the formal alternative.

If someone dies without a will in Montana, the estate is under court jurisdiction. The court will elect a personal representative to assist with the proceedings. Often, this person is a spouse or adult child of the deceased. In this case, the court requires a formal probate procedure, which could take a year or longer.

Does Montana Have an Inheritance or Estate Tax?

Montana does not charge an inheritance or estate tax as of 2000 and 2005, respectively. However, certain large estates may receive a federal tax. The federal estate tax applies to any estate worth more than $12.06 million as of 2022.

What Spouses Should Know About Inheritance Law

Your spouse’s passing can be a devastating loss. Montana probate law gives spouses the right to an elective share of their combined estate. Depending on the length of your marriage, you are legally allowed to 3-50% of the shared estate. Exceptions apply to unions with valid prenuptial contracts that designate less than the legal amount.

How to Avoid Probate in Montana

Montana probate procedures can be long and complicated, taking away time from your natural grieving process. To avoid probate entirely, your loved one must prepare their assets in non-probate accounts. This strategy may include a revocable trust, joint ownership accounts, Transfer on Death (TOD) designations or named beneficiaries on personal accounts. If your loved one’s assets are not in these accounts, the best way to circumvent probate is to advance your inheritance.

Is There a Way to Collect My Inheritance Faster?

It’s normal to be taken aback by the amount of time it takes to access an inheritance through Montana probate. After all, it’s your money, so why should you have to wait to use it? Luckily, there’s one way you can get cash fast without waiting on Probate Court.

Probate cash advances are the answer to every heir’s problems. At IFC, we offer probate advances for families across Montana. Our process is quick and simple, so you can access your rightful inheritance when you need it. Once our team has processed your information, we can typically deposit your portion on the same day!

Where Can You Get a Probate Cash Advance in Montana?

If you live in Montana, we can help you secure your inheritance, no matter what county you’re from. Some of the many areas we cover include:

  • Yellowstone County
  • Gallatin County
  • Missoula County
  • Flathead County
  • Cascade County
  • Ravalli County
  • Lewis and Clark County
  • Lake County
  • Silver Bow County
  • Lincoln County
  • & ALL other counties!

Our Inheritance Advance Process in Montana

If you think Montana probate seems extensive, you’re right. At IFC, we can help you avoid Probate Court and collect your inheritance immediately with our four-step cash advance process. Once you give us the requested information in the initial meeting, our team will do the rest.

We always put our heirs first, which is why we offer many exclusive benefits:

  • No income or credit checks: We’ll never focus on your income, employment history or credit score when approving your application.
  • Affordable prices: We promise to offer the most affordable prices when compared to any competitor.
  • No risk of nonpayment: You won’t be responsible for repayment like you would with a loan.
  • No hidden fees: We’ll never charge you with surprise expenses or affect other inheritors in the estate.
  • Money for all your needs: After you receive your money from us, you can use it however you want.
  • Same-day cash: You can complete our process online in minutes and get your cash instantly.

Skip Montana’s Probate Process With an Inheritance Advance Today!

You can collect your inheritance when you need it with probate advances at IFC. We’ve been serving heirs in all 50 states since our founding in 1992.

Contact us to apply for your probate advance today!