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Musselshell County, MT Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Musselshell County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | The Musselshell County District Court, Montana 14th Judicial District Court (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-101, § 3-5-302) |
| Filing office | Clerk of district court in Musselshell County |
| Courthouse address | 506 Main Street, Roundup, MT 59072 |
| Mailing address | 506 Main Street, Roundup, MT 59072 |
| Phone | (406) 323-1413 |
| Fax | (406) 323-1710 |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | Published office hours were not listed on the court pages. Call (406) 323-1413 before traveling and confirm any filing cutoff. Musselshell County is on Mountain Time. |
| Filing fee | $100.00 to commence a probate, formal or informal or ancillary, current under the 2025 Montana Code Annotated. The amount combines the $70 probate fee, the $20 additional filing fee and the $10 court information technology user surcharge (Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201, § 25-1-202, § 3-1-317). |
| Local forms | The Montana Judicial Branch probate forms are at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife. No Musselshell County-specific probate form or cover sheet was listed on the county's clerk of district court page. |
| E-filing | E-filing is not available to self-represented litigants at this time, according to courts.mt.gov. Attorneys may e-file in Musselshell County because the Judicial Branch court policy dated July 30, 2026 lists Musselshell County District Court and Probate (DP) as enabled case types. |
| Case search | Montana publishes a District Court Public Access Portal through courts.mt.gov, and Musselshell County District Court converted to FullCourt Enterprise in November 2024. Call the clerk to confirm what is available for a particular estate settlement case. |
| Remote appearance | Remote appearance is controlled by the 14th Judicial District local rules. The local rules conduct law and motion dates through video-teleconferencing and list a Musselshell County virtual meeting room, but you should ask the clerk how to request it for a probate matter. |
| Website | courts.mt.gov/CourtLocator/14thJudicialDistrict and musselshellcounty.gov/clerk-of-district-court/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Roundup, identify the assets, debts, beneficiary designations, real estate, vehicles, bank accounts and recurring bills. The right estate settlement path depends on what is actually in the probate estate, who is asking to serve as personal representative and whether anyone is likely to object.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions, helping families find accounts and policies before they prepare the Musselshell County filing packet. That gives you a cleaner asset list before you call the clerk of district court or speak with counsel.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Musselshell County is filed with the clerk of district court at the county courthouse in Roundup, 506 Main Street, Roundup, MT 59072. Venue is usually the county where the decedent had the decedent's domicile at death; if the decedent was not domiciled in Montana, venue may be in a Montana county where the decedent's property was located (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-112).
Musselshell County is part of Montana's 14th Judicial District with Golden Valley, Meagher and Wheatland Counties (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-101). Unlike many multi-county Montana districts, the 14th Judicial District judge is chambered in Musselshell County at the same 506 Main Street courthouse, so the filing counter and the judge's chambers are both in Roundup.
Montana has no county-level estate tribunal and no standalone estate tribunal: the District Court has exclusive jurisdiction of all probate matters, and a will is proved and Letters are issued by the clerk of district court or the district judge (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-111, § 3-5-302). Montana's courts of limited jurisdiction, including the Justice Court and City Court serving Roundup and Melstone, have no probate jurisdiction (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-10-301, § 3-11-102).
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether an estate must be opened in Musselshell County. If the decedent's domicile was in Musselshell County, file in Roundup; if the decedent was not domiciled in Montana, file in a Montana county where property was located (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-112).
- Choose the filing track. An informal probate application goes to the clerk of district court, who makes the statutory findings, may deny the application if the requirements are not met and issues the statement of informal probate after at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-212, § 72-3-214, § 72-3-215). Formal probate uses a petition with notice to interested persons and proceeds before the district judge (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-301).
- Prepare the Montana Judicial Branch probate forms from courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife. The statewide packet includes the application, the Statement of Informal Probate, the Letters of Authority, the acceptance paperwork and related forms; ask the clerk of district court in Musselshell County whether any local cover sheet is requested.
- File the packet with the clerk of district court at 506 Main Street, Roundup, MT 59072. Self-represented litigants file on paper because e-filing is not available to self-represented litigants at this time, according to courts.mt.gov. Attorneys may e-file where Musselshell County and the DP probate case type are enabled under the Montana Temporary Electronic Filing Rules.
- Pay the $100.00 probate commencement filing fee, current under the 2025 Montana Code Annotated, unless a court-approved fee waiver applies through courts.mt.gov forms. The amount combines the $70 probate fee, the $20 additional filing fee and the $10 court information technology user surcharge (Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201, § 25-1-202, § 3-1-317).
- Handle notice. In a formal probate, give notice as required for the petition. After appointment, the personal representative publishes notice to creditors once a week for 3 successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, and creditors generally have 4 months after the date of first publication to present claims (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-801).
- Ask about scheduling only if a hearing is needed. The 14th Judicial District local rules place routine matters, including probate proceedings expected to take less than 30 minutes, on law and motion dates. Parties or counsel notify the Court Administrator by noon on the preceding business day under the local rules.
- Ask the clerk how to request remote appearance. The 14th Judicial District local rules use video-teleconferencing for law and motion dates and list Musselshell County's virtual meeting room, while testimony by contemporaneous transmission is discretionary under Mont. R. Civ. P. 43(a).
- Receive authority and administer the estate. Before receiving letters, the personal representative files any required bond and a statement of acceptance of the duties of the office (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-512). The clerk of district court or the district judge then issues the Letters of Authority through the Judicial Branch forms at courts.mt.gov.
- Keep deadlines in view while administering and closing. The inventory of probate property is due within 9 months after appointment (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-607). Montana has no inheritance tax and Montana has no estate tax for a current death, according to revenue.mt.gov, but an estate may still have federal tax issues or a Montana income tax filing for the estate.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Musselshell County
Use the Montana Judicial Branch probate forms page at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife. Probate forms are listed under the Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Estate Planning and Probate category. The page includes the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101, the How to Administer a Small Estate Packet under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101 and related provisions, the Fiduciary Statement and related end-of-life forms.
No Musselshell County-specific probate form or cover sheet was listed on the Musselshell County clerk of district court page. Before filing, call (406) 323-1413 and ask whether the 14th Judicial District wants any local cover sheet, payment format or extra copy.
Timeline
- At filing, the clerk of district court receives the application or petition at 506 Main Street in Roundup. Informal probate cannot issue until at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-215).
- If a matter needs court time, the 14th Judicial District local rules provide at least two law and motion dates monthly. Those dates are conducted from the judge's home county of Musselshell under the local rules.
- The 14th Judicial District local rules list probate proceedings among routine law and motion matters, along with other matters reasonably expected to take less than 30 minutes.
- To be placed on the law and motion calendar, counsel or parties notify the Court Administrator by noon on the preceding business day under the local rules.
- After appointment, publish notice to creditors once a week for 3 successive weeks, with the 4 months claims period running from the date of first publication (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-801).
- After appointment, prepare the inventory within 9 months (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-607).
Local nuance
Musselshell County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Musselshell County estate |
|---|---|
| Judge and clerk are in the same Roundup courthouse | The 14th Judicial District judge is chambered at 506 Main Street in Roundup, the same address as the clerk of district court in Musselshell County. A Musselshell County estate is filed, heard and kept in Roundup. |
| Law and motion is published in the 14th Judicial District local rules | The local rules provide at least two law and motion dates monthly, conducted from Musselshell County. The rules include probate proceedings among routine matters expected to take less than 30 minutes. |
| Video-teleconferencing is built into the district's local rules | The 14th Judicial District local rules list a Musselshell County virtual meeting room and teleconference number for law and motion. Ask the clerk how to request remote appearance for an estate matter, because remote appearance is controlled by local rules and the district judge. |
| No Standing Master listed for the district | The Judicial Branch list of districts with a Standing Master at courts.mt.gov does not include the 14th Judicial District. Direct Musselshell County probate scheduling questions to the clerk of district court. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed locally |
|---|---|
| November 2024 | Musselshell County District Court converted to FullCourt Enterprise, according to courts.mt.gov. The District Court Public Access Portal is described by courts.mt.gov as a courtesy, so call the clerk to confirm what can be found for a specific case search. |
| July 30, 2026 | The Judicial Branch court policy lists Musselshell County District Court as enabled for electronic filing for attorneys, with Probate (DP) included. E-filing is not available to self-represented litigants at this time, according to courts.mt.gov. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Musselshell County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | First identify how the Roundup-area real estate is titled and whether it passes outside the probate estate. If a court filing is needed, file with the clerk of district court in Musselshell County under the venue rule for domicile (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-112). | Sunset helps find accounts, policies and title clues so the spouse can see whether estate settlement requires a Musselshell County filing or a narrower transfer step. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If only personal property needs collection and the requirements fit, the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent may be presented to the holder under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101 rather than opening a court case. If probate is needed, the child files with the clerk of district court in Roundup and asks about law and motion scheduling under the 14th Judicial District local rules. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, locate accounts and generate a packet so the child can decide whether to call the clerk, use the affidavit route under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101 or involve a Montana attorney. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires clear authority from the Musselshell County District Court if title did not transfer outside probate. The parent should expect a personal representative appointment, Letters of Authority from the clerk or district judge and administration steps before sale. | Sunset helps turn estate settlement information into an organized probate packet and can connect the parent with local counsel for title, sale and appointment questions. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Musselshell clerk of district court | The filing office for probate in Musselshell County. The clerk can provide forms and general procedural information, but court staff cannot give legal advice or fill out forms for you. | 506 Main Street, Roundup, MT 59072. Phone: (406) 323-1413. Email: [email protected]. |
| Montana Supreme Court Court Help Program | Statewide civil self-help information through courts.mt.gov. The program cannot give legal advice or represent you in court. | courts.mt.gov/SelfHelp/. Phone: (406) 841-2975. |
| State Law Library Self-Help Law Center | A staffed Self-Help Law Center in Helena listed by courts.mt.gov. No staffed Self-Help Law Center is listed in Musselshell County. | 215 N Sanders, Helena. Phone: (406) 444-9300. Email: [email protected]. |
| Montana Legal Services Association | Statewide civil legal aid intake. MLSA should not be treated as guaranteed probate representation. | mtlsa.org/apply-for-services/. HelpLine: 1-800-666-6899, Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. |
| MontanaLawHelp.org | Public self-help information from Montana Legal Services Association, including life and estate planning materials linked from the Judicial Branch forms page. | montanalawhelp.org |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Montana probate attorney if family members disagree, a home must be sold, creditors are active, the will may be challenged, the decedent lived outside Montana but owned Musselshell County property, or you are unsure whether informal probate through the clerk is available. The Court Help Program and clerk can give information, but they cannot give legal advice or represent you. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families search for bank accounts, insurance, retirement accounts and other assets before the Musselshell County filing is prepared. A fuller asset picture makes estate settlement decisions clearer.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized probate packet for the Musselshell County District Court, using the Montana court structure and the clerk of district court filing path.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs legal advice, a contested filing, a home sale or help with formal probate notice, Sunset can connect the family with a Montana probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, understand the next steps and decide whether to file in Roundup or work with counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for Musselshell County?
File with the clerk of district court at the Musselshell County District Court, 506 Main Street, Roundup, MT 59072. Venue is based on the decedent's domicile at death, or, for a decedent not domiciled in Montana, a Montana county where property was located (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-112).
Does Musselshell County have a separate estate tribunal?
No. The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction of all probate matters in Montana (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-111). The Justice Court and City Court are courts of limited jurisdiction and do not handle probate filings (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-10-301, § 3-11-102).
Can I e-file a Musselshell County probate case myself?
No. E-filing is not available to self-represented litigants at this time, according to courts.mt.gov. A self-represented personal representative files on paper with the clerk of district court in Roundup. Attorneys may e-file because the Judicial Branch court policy dated July 30, 2026 lists Musselshell County District Court and Probate (DP) as enabled.
How much is the Musselshell County probate filing fee?
The probate commencement filing fee is $100.00, current under the 2025 Montana Code Annotated. It combines the $70 probate fee, the $20 additional filing fee and the $10 court information technology user surcharge (Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201, § 25-1-202, § 3-1-317). Confirm the current amount and payment method with the clerk before filing.
Will there be a probate hearing in Musselshell County?
Many informal probate matters are handled by the clerk if the statutory findings are met and 120 hours have elapsed since death (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-215). If court time is needed, the 14th Judicial District local rules place routine probate proceedings on law and motion dates and require notice to the Court Administrator by noon on the preceding business day.
Can I attend a Musselshell County probate matter by video or phone?
Remote appearance depends on the district judge and the 14th Judicial District local rules. Those local rules conduct law and motion dates through video-teleconferencing and list a Musselshell County meeting room, while testimony by contemporaneous transmission is discretionary under Mont. R. Civ. P. 43(a). Ask the clerk how to request a remote appearance.
Can I look up a Musselshell County probate case online?
Montana publishes a District Court Public Access Portal through courts.mt.gov, and Musselshell County District Court converted to FullCourt Enterprise in November 2024. The portal is a courtesy, not a required statutory service, so call the clerk to confirm what is available for a specific case search.
Are there Musselshell County probate forms?
Use the statewide Montana Judicial Branch probate forms at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife. No Musselshell County-specific probate form or cover sheet was listed on the clerk of district court page, so call (406) 323-1413 before filing.
Do I have to travel to another county for a Musselshell County estate?
The filing counter is in Roundup, and the 14th Judicial District judge is also chambered at 506 Main Street in Roundup. Unlike some multi-county Montana districts, a Musselshell County estate is filed, heard and kept in the same county courthouse.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.