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Written By:
Divorce.com Staff
Montana Divorce Timelines by Scenario
Waiting Period: Montana can't enter a final decree until at least 20 days after the other spouse is served (or 20 days after a joint petition is filed). | Fastest possible: 20-45 days (uncontested, no children, waiver signed) | Typical uncontested: 2-5 months | Uncontested with children: 3-7 months | Contested: 8-20+ months
Waiting Period: Montana can't enter a final decree until at least 20 days after the other spouse is served (or 20 days after a joint petition is filed). | Residency: 90 days for petitioner before filing. | 20-Day Response: Non-filing spouse has 20 days to respond (can be waived). | No Separation: Can file while living together.
RETAINER FEE
PETITION
COURT FILING FEE
SUMMONS
AFFIDAVIT
MOTIONS
ARGUMENTS
TEMPORARY ORDERS
HEARINGS
SUBPOENAS
DEPOSITIONS
SETTLEMENT
CONFERENCES
JUDGEMENT
TRIAL
APPEALS
Scenario 1: Uncontested Divorce Without Children
Timeline: 2-4 months | File petition in District Court. Pay filing fee ($170). Serve spouse. Spouse has 20 days to respond (or sign waiver). Exchange financial disclosure. Prepare decree. File for final hearing. Attend hearing. Judgment. | County Variations: Yellowstone County (Billings): 3-5 months. Largest. Missoula County: 2-5 months. Cascade County (Great Falls): 2-4 months. Smaller counties: 2-4 months. Rural Montana often faster.
Scenario 2: Uncontested Divorce With Children
Timeline: 3-7 months | Parenting plan required. Child support per Montana guidelines. Parent education recommended but not mandatory statewide. | Montana: Parent education not mandatory but recommended. Montana uses "parenting" terminology. Courts prefer shared parenting when appropriate.
Upfront pricing at a fraction of the cost of traditional divorce
Divorce doesn’t have to cost as much as a car.
Scenario 3: Contested Divorce (Settled Before Trial)
Timeline: 8-20+ months | Montana: Equitable distribution. Marital property divided based on factors. Maintenance available. No formula for maintenance.
Scenario 4: Fully Contested Divorce With Trial
Timeline: 12-30+ months | Costs: Attorneys: $8,000-$35,000+ per side (Billings/Missoula/Bozeman highest). Experts: $4,000-$15,000. Total: $20,000-$70,000+.
Scenario 5: Divorce With Domestic Violence
Timeline: Varies | Protection: Order of Protection. Emergency available. Full hearing within 20 days. No mediation in DV.
We've helped with
over 1 million divorces
We provide everything you need to get divorced — from conflict resolution to filing support and access to divorce experts — in one comprehensive, convenient online platform.
The team at divorce.com was responsive and helpful during a difficult process. I would highly recommend the site for uncomplicated, amicable divorces!!
Jen B.
I came across this online. So I checked on it. It was easy and affordable. I wish I would have found this years ago.
Brandy D.
I was able to read it easily. Thanks God for this service. I will recommend it to anyone who asks this is a very easy step to do. I love it please try it you won't be disappointed
Dianna R.
Great customer service. Questions were easy to answer and had descriptions to understand the questions.
Andelain R.
Proudly featured in these publications
Scenario 6: Military Divorce in Ohio
Timeline: 2-6 months (uncontested) to 12-24 months (contested). | Installations: Malmstrom Air Force Base (Cascade County/Great Falls). Montana National Guard. SCRA applies.
Scenario 7: High-Asset Divorce
Timeline: 10-24+ months | Yellowstone County (Billings), Missoula County, Gallatin County (Bozeman) have affluent areas. Natural resource wealth. Ranch/agricultural property. Vacation properties.
Our Services
Paperwork Only
Basic access to divorce paperwork where you handle the rigorous filing process with the court.
POPULAR
We File For You
Our most popular package includes a dedicated case manager, automated court filing, spouse signature collection, and personalized documentation.
Fully Guided
Complete divorce support including mediation sessions, dedicated case management, court filing, and personalized documentation.
How to Speed Up Your Ohio Divorce
1. No Waiting Period: Can finalize once processed. File immediately when meet 90-day residency. | 2. Have Spouse Sign Waiver: Skip 20-day response time. Speeds process by 3 weeks. | 3. Use Online Services: Montana forms straightforward. $500-$1,500 vs $5,000-$20,000 attorneys.
Montana County-Specific Timelines
Yellowstone County (Billings): Uncontested: 3-5 months. Largest. Contested: 12-24 months. | Missoula County: Uncontested: 2-5 months. Contested: 10-20 months. | Gallatin County (Bozeman): Uncontested: 2-5 months. Growing. Contested: 10-20 months. | Cascade County (Great Falls): Uncontested: 2-4 months. Contested: 8-18 months. | Smaller rural counties: Uncontested: 2-4 months. Fastest in state. Contested: 6-15 months.
Cost Impact of Divorce Timeline
Uncontested: DIY: $170-$250. Online: $500-$1,500. Attorney: $2,000-$4,500. | Contested: Mediation: $2,500-$7,000. Attorneys: $8,000-$18,000 per side. Trial: Attorneys: $8,000-$35,000+ per side. Total: $20,000-$70,000+.
Common Delays in Montana Divorces
1. Not Having Spouse Sign Waiver (Adds: 3 weeks): 20-day response time. Waiver skips this. | 2. Incomplete Financial Disclosure (Adds: 2-6 weeks): Montana requires disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Montana have a waiting period for divorce? A: Montana can't enter a final decree until at least 20 days after the other spouse is served (or 20 days after a joint petition is filed). | Q: How long is Montana residency requirement? A: 90 days for the filing spouse. This is one of shorter requirements in US.
The Bottom Line
Waiting Period: Montana can't enter a final decree until at least 20 days after the other spouse is served (or 20 days after a joint petition is filed).
State Divorce Guides
City Divorce Guides
County Divorce Guides
Real Answers. Real Support.
We're here to guide you through every step of divorce — whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step. Our blog offers expert insights, practical tips, and real-life stories to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
The better way to get divorced.
Answer a few questions to see your personalized divorce options in under 3 minutes.
Montana Divorce Timelines by Scenario
Waiting Period: Montana can't enter a final decree until at least 20 days after the other spouse is served (or 20 days after a joint petition is filed). | Fastest possible: 20-45 days (uncontested, no children, waiver signed) | Typical uncontested: 2-5 months | Uncontested with children: 3-7 months | Contested: 8-20+ months
Waiting Period: Montana can't enter a final decree until at least 20 days after the other spouse is served (or 20 days after a joint petition is filed). | Residency: 90 days for petitioner before filing. | 20-Day Response: Non-filing spouse has 20 days to respond (can be waived). | No Separation: Can file while living together.
RETAINER FEE
PETITION
COURT FILING FEE
SUMMONS
AFFIDAVIT
MOTIONS
ARGUMENTS
TEMPORARY ORDERS
HEARINGS
SUBPOENAS
DEPOSITIONS
SETTLEMENT
CONFERENCES
JUDGEMENT
TRIAL
APPEALS
RETAINER FEE
PETITION
COURT FILING FEE
SUMMONS
AFFIDAVIT
MOTIONS
ARGUMENTS
TEMPORARY ORDERS
HEARINGS
SUBPOENAS
DEPOSITIONS
SETTLEMENT
CONFERENCES
JUDGEMENT
TRIAL
APPEALS
Scenario 1: Uncontested Divorce Without Children
Timeline: 2-4 months | File petition in District Court. Pay filing fee ($170). Serve spouse. Spouse has 20 days to respond (or sign waiver). Exchange financial disclosure. Prepare decree. File for final hearing. Attend hearing. Judgment. | County Variations: Yellowstone County (Billings): 3-5 months. Largest. Missoula County: 2-5 months. Cascade County (Great Falls): 2-4 months. Smaller counties: 2-4 months. Rural Montana often faster.
Scenario 2: Uncontested Divorce With Children
Timeline: 3-7 months | Parenting plan required. Child support per Montana guidelines. Parent education recommended but not mandatory statewide. | Montana: Parent education not mandatory but recommended. Montana uses "parenting" terminology. Courts prefer shared parenting when appropriate.
Upfront pricing at a fraction of the cost of traditional divorce
Divorce doesn’t have to cost as much as a car.
Scenario 3: Contested Divorce (Settled Before Trial)
Timeline: 8-20+ months | Montana: Equitable distribution. Marital property divided based on factors. Maintenance available. No formula for maintenance.
Scenario 4: Fully Contested Divorce With Trial
Timeline: 12-30+ months | Costs: Attorneys: $8,000-$35,000+ per side (Billings/Missoula/Bozeman highest). Experts: $4,000-$15,000. Total: $20,000-$70,000+.
Scenario 5: Divorce With Domestic Violence
Timeline: Varies | Protection: Order of Protection. Emergency available. Full hearing within 20 days. No mediation in DV.
We've helped with
over 1 million divorces
We provide everything you need to get divorced — from conflict resolution to filing support and access to divorce experts — in one comprehensive, convenient online platform.
The team at divorce.com was responsive and helpful during a difficult process. I would highly recommend the site for uncomplicated, amicable divorces!!
Jen B.
I came across this online. So I checked on it. It was easy and affordable. I wish I would have found this years ago.
Brandy D.
I was able to read it easily. Thanks God for this service. I will recommend it to anyone who asks this is a very easy step to do. I love it please try it you won't be disappointed
Dianna R.
Great customer service. Questions were easy to answer and had descriptions to understand the questions.
Andelain R.
Proudly featured in these publications
Scenario 6: Military Divorce in Ohio
Timeline: 2-6 months (uncontested) to 12-24 months (contested). | Installations: Malmstrom Air Force Base (Cascade County/Great Falls). Montana National Guard. SCRA applies.
Scenario 7: High-Asset Divorce
Timeline: 10-24+ months | Yellowstone County (Billings), Missoula County, Gallatin County (Bozeman) have affluent areas. Natural resource wealth. Ranch/agricultural property. Vacation properties.
Our Services
Paperwork Only
Basic access to divorce paperwork where you handle the rigorous filing process with the court.
POPULAR
We File For You
Our most popular package includes a dedicated case manager, automated court filing, spouse signature collection, and personalized documentation.
Fully Guided
Complete divorce support including mediation sessions, dedicated case management, court filing, and personalized documentation.
How to Speed Up Your Ohio Divorce
1. No Waiting Period: Can finalize once processed. File immediately when meet 90-day residency. | 2. Have Spouse Sign Waiver: Skip 20-day response time. Speeds process by 3 weeks. | 3. Use Online Services: Montana forms straightforward. $500-$1,500 vs $5,000-$20,000 attorneys.
Montana County-Specific Timelines
Yellowstone County (Billings): Uncontested: 3-5 months. Largest. Contested: 12-24 months. | Missoula County: Uncontested: 2-5 months. Contested: 10-20 months. | Gallatin County (Bozeman): Uncontested: 2-5 months. Growing. Contested: 10-20 months. | Cascade County (Great Falls): Uncontested: 2-4 months. Contested: 8-18 months. | Smaller rural counties: Uncontested: 2-4 months. Fastest in state. Contested: 6-15 months.
Cost Impact of Divorce Timeline
Uncontested: DIY: $170-$250. Online: $500-$1,500. Attorney: $2,000-$4,500. | Contested: Mediation: $2,500-$7,000. Attorneys: $8,000-$18,000 per side. Trial: Attorneys: $8,000-$35,000+ per side. Total: $20,000-$70,000+.
Common Delays in Montana Divorces
1. Not Having Spouse Sign Waiver (Adds: 3 weeks): 20-day response time. Waiver skips this. | 2. Incomplete Financial Disclosure (Adds: 2-6 weeks): Montana requires disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Montana have a waiting period for divorce? A: Montana can't enter a final decree until at least 20 days after the other spouse is served (or 20 days after a joint petition is filed). | Q: How long is Montana residency requirement? A: 90 days for the filing spouse. This is one of shorter requirements in US.
The Bottom Line
Waiting Period: Montana can't enter a final decree until at least 20 days after the other spouse is served (or 20 days after a joint petition is filed).
State Divorce Guides
City Divorce Guides
County Divorce Guides
Real Answers. Real Support.
We're here to guide you through every step of divorce — whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step. Our blog offers expert insights, practical tips, and real-life stories to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.