Are Autopsy Reports Public in Montana? (2026)
Montana autopsy reports are restricted, released only to next of kin, insurers, or law enforcement after a case closes. How to request one and the fee.
5 min read
Montana Laws
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Bankruptcy in Montana (2026): Exemptions & Means Test
Montana bankruptcy guide: the state opted out of federal exemptions, a $425,827 (2026) indexed homestead under MCA 70-32-104, plus the April 2026 means test.
7 min read
Common Law Marriage in Montana: Is It Recognized? (2026)
Montana recognizes common law marriage under MCA 40-1-403. Learn the 3 requirements (capacity, mutual agreement, public repute), debunk the 7-year myth, and how it ends.
7 min read
How Long Is a Life Sentence in Montana? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in Montana: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
8 min read
How to Find a Cause of Death in Montana (2026)
In Montana the cause of death appears on the death certificate, which any person can order for $16. Learn where it is recorded and how to request it.
6 min read
How to Get a Montana Death Certificate (2026 Guide)
Get a Montana death certificate for $16 per copy from any County Clerk & Recorder, by mail, or online via VitalChek. Here is who qualifies and how to order.
5 min read
MCDPA Compliance Checklist: Montana Privacy (2026)
MCDPA compliance (Mont. Code Ann. 30-14-2803): applicability at 25,000/15,000 thresholds, notice, opt-in, assessments. Cure period ended October 1, 2025.
10 min read
MCDPA Consumer Rights: Montana Privacy Rights (2026)
Montana's MCDPA (Mont. Code Ann. 30-14-2808) gives access, correction, deletion, portability, and opt-out rights, with a 45-day response window.
9 min read
Medical Malpractice Laws in Montana (2026): Deadlines & Caps
Montana medical malpractice in 2026: the 2-year deadline (MCA 27-2-205), the rising $350,000 noneconomic cap, and mandatory Medical Legal Panel review.
7 min read
Montana Adoption Records: The Three Rules for Releasing an Original Birth Certificate
Montana's rule for releasing a sealed original birth certificate depends on when the adoption happened. See the three date tiers, fees, and how to apply.
4 min read
Montana Age Verification Law: SB 544 and the 2025 Amendment Explained
Montana's age-verification law (Mont. Code Ann. §30-14-159) is now enforceable only by private damages suits after a 2025 amendment stripped AG authority.
5 min read
Montana AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Guide to Montana AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.
10 min read
Montana AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
Montana requires all-party consent for AI meeting recorders. Graduated penalties from misdemeanor to felony for repeat offenses.
11 min read
Montana At-Will Employment Laws: The WDEA Good-Cause Standard
Montana is the only US state that is not at-will. After the probationary period, employers must have good cause to fire under the WDEA (Mont. Code Ann. 39-2-901 to 39-2-915).
8 min read
Montana Audio Recording Laws: All-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026)
Montana audio recording laws require all-party knowledge under MCA 45-8-213. Learn the warning exception, graduated penalties, and how to record legally.
11 min read
Montana Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)
Montana background check laws: Ban the Box, lookback periods, Clean Slate, employer and housing checks.
13 min read
Montana Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
Montana MCDPA classifies biometric data as sensitive, requiring opt-in consent. AG-only enforcement with penalties up to $7,500 per violation. No private right of action.
10 min read
Montana Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim
Montana is an at-fault state with a 51% comparative negligence bar, 25/50/20 minimum insurance, and a 3-year statute of limitations (MCA 27-2-204).
6 min read
Montana Car Seat Laws (2026): Ages, Booster & 2025 Update
Montana requires rear-facing seats until age 2 and harness or booster seats until age 8, per MCA 61-9-420. See the 2025 amendment, penalty, and exemptions.
5 min read
Montana Child Custody Laws (2026): Parenting Plans, Best Interests, and Your Rights
Montana resolves custody through a parenting plan under MCA 40-4-212. Learn the 13 best-interests factors, relocation notice rules, and how to modify a plan.
6 min read
Montana Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
Montana uses the Modified Melson Formula for child support under ARM 37.62. Learn how the three-stage calculation works, 2026 allowance amounts, and enforcement.
13 min read
Montana Court Records: How to Search the New Public Access Portals, What's Public, and How Expungement Works
Montana court records now run through two new statewide portals. Learn what's covered so far, what's public, and how Montana's record relief rules work.
6 min read
Montana Dashcam Laws: Recording Rules, Audio Consent, and Windshield Mounting (2026)
Montana dashcam laws allow video recording on public roads, but audio from hidden devices requires all-party knowledge under MCA 45-8-213. Learn mounting rules and penalties.
9 min read
Montana Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)
Montana requires data breach notification without unreasonable delay under Mont. Code 30-14-1704. Learn who must be notified, protected data types, AG reporting rules, and penalties.
8 min read
Montana Data Privacy Laws: MCDPA Consumer Rights Guide (2026)
Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MCDPA) explained. Learn your rights to access, delete, and opt out of data sales under Mont. Code Ann. 30-14-2801, plus breach notification rules.
17 min read
Montana Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get Them
Montana is an open-record state: anyone can get a certified death certificate for $16, with no waiting period. See who can request and how to order.
7 min read
Montana Debt Collection Laws: Garnishment Limits, the New 6-Year Rule, and Repossession
Montana caps wage garnishment at 25% of disposable earnings, and a 2025 law cut the written-contract statute of limitations to 6 years.
6 min read
Montana Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
Montana has among the most comprehensive deepfake laws in the US. Learn about HB 514 (NCII criminal), SB 25 (election disclosure), HB 513 (voice/likeness rights), and federal TAKE IT DOWN Act protections.
9 min read
Montana Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)
Montana defamation laws: the two-year statute of limitations (MCA 27-2-204), statutory libel and slander definitions, and the 2025 UPEPA anti-SLAPP law.
8 min read
Montana Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
Montana divorce laws explained: no-fault only (irretrievable breakdown), 90-day residency, 21-day wait after service, no mandatory separation, equitable distribution.
7 min read
Montana Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Learn Montana dog bite laws: strict liability in cities under MCA 27-1-715, negligence rules in rural areas, 3-year filing deadline, and victim rights.
10 min read
Montana Drone Laws (2026): Warrants, Trespass & Hunting
Montana bars using drone-gathered evidence against you without a warrant, and its 2025 law makes low-altitude drone flights over private land a trespass.
9 min read
Montana DUI Laws: Penalties, BAC Limit & License (2026)
Montana DUI laws: the 0.08% BAC limit, first-offense penalties under MCA 61-8-1002, the 6-month suspension, aggravated DUI at 0.16%, and the felony fourth.
6 min read
Montana E-Scooter Laws: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026)
Montana's motorized scooter law (MCA 61-1-101, 61-8-608) excludes scooters from motor vehicle DUI rules and allows sidewalk use only with the motor off.
6 min read
Montana Emancipation Laws: How Limited Emancipation Works in Montana (2026)
Montana grants only limited emancipation under Mont. Code Ann. 41-1-501 to 41-1-503. Learn the age-16 minimum, what the petition must show, which adult rights the court can specify, and how emancipation affects child support and FAFSA.
9 min read
Montana Employee Monitoring Laws: Workplace Surveillance and Social Media (2026)
Montana employee monitoring law explained: the MIPPA social media password ban, all-party consent recording, and the lack of a state GPS tracking notice statute.
10 min read
Montana Expungement Laws: Misdemeanor Eligibility, Process, and Limits (2026)
Montana allows misdemeanor expungement under Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-1101 et seq. Learn eligibility, the 5-year waiting period, excluded offenses, and the court filing process.
7 min read
Montana Final Paycheck Laws: Immediate Payment on Discharge
Montana requires immediate final wages when you're fired (within about 4 hours or by end of day) and bans vacation forfeiture. Penalties and filing explained.
5 min read
Montana GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on a car in Montana? MCA 45-5-220 names GPS devices in the stalking law. Penalties, AirTag rules, and your privacy rights.
10 min read
Montana Grandparents' Rights Laws: Visitation, Custody, and the Presumption You Must Overcome
Montana lets any grandparent petition for contact, but Polasek v. Omura requires courts to weigh a fit parent's wishes first. What that means.
5 min read
Montana Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Understand Montana's hit and run laws: legal obligations after an accident, penalties for leaving the scene, and steps to protect your rights.
7 min read
Montana Identity Theft Laws: Penalties and the Identity Theft Passport
Montana identity theft under Mont. Code Ann. 45-6-332 offers an Identity Theft Passport and free expungement. See penalties, victim rights, and freezes.
9 min read
Montana Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026): Deposits, Notice, and Tenant Rights
Montana has no deposit cap; return deadline is 10 days (no deductions) or 30 days. Landlords must give 24 hours' notice to enter. Repair-and-deduct available.
5 min read
Montana Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Camera Rules, Privacy Rights, and Disputes (2026)
Montana landlord-tenant recording laws cover security cameras, hidden cameras in rentals, and tenant privacy rights under MCA 45-5-223 and MCA 45-8-213.
8 min read
Montana Laws on Recording in Public: First Amendment Rights and Limitations (2026)
Montana public recording laws protect your right to record in public spaces. Learn when audio triggers MCA 45-8-213, public meeting rules, and your rights.
8 min read
Montana Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Legal Protections (2026)
Montana law explicitly permits recording police officers performing official duties without consent or warning under MCA 45-8-213(2)(a). Learn your rights.
11 min read
Montana Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify & Get a Refund
Montana's lemon law covers new vehicles under 2 years/18,000 miles. Learn the 4-repair-attempt rule, 30-day threshold, usage deduction formula, and how to file.
13 min read
Montana Maintenance (Alimony) Laws: How It Works (2026)
Montana calls spousal support "maintenance." Learn how courts apply the two-part threshold test and six statutory factors under MCA 40-4-203 to decide if: and how much: maintenance is awarded.
9 min read
Montana Marriage and Divorce Records: Index Only at the State Level
Montana's Office of Vital Records holds only an index of marriages and divorces from 1943. Certified copies come from the Clerk of District Court. Here is how.
9 min read
Montana Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights, HIPAA, and Consent Rules (2026)
Montana medical recording laws require all-party knowledge for hidden devices under MCA 45-8-213. Learn patient rights, the warning exception, HIPAA rules, and telehealth recording.
9 min read
Montana Medical Records Retention Laws (2026 Guide)
Montana medical records retention laws: how long hospitals and doctors keep your records, HIPAA rules, and patient rights.
11 min read
Montana Name Change Laws: How to Legally Change Your Name
How to change your name in Montana: district court petition, the $90 filing fee, 4-week publication rule, and the divorce and marriage rules.
6 min read
Montana Nursing Home Camera Laws: No Statute, Notice Regime
Montana has no nursing home camera law. See how the state's announcement-based recording rule under MCA 45-8-213 applies, and what facility policy controls.
6 min read
Montana Open Container Law (2026): Possession Ban Explained
Montana bans possessing an open container in a vehicle's passenger area for drivers and passengers under MCA 61-8-1026, capped at a $100 fine.
3 min read
Montana Phone Call Recording Laws: Warning Rules, Interstate Calls, and Penalties (2026)
Montana phone call recording laws require a warning before recording under MCA 45-8-213. Learn the rules for personal calls, business calls, and interstate calls.
9 min read
Montana Police Bodycam Laws (2026): No Statute, Court Fights
Montana has no bodycam statute. Access to footage runs through the state's constitutional right to know and a case-by-case privacy balancing test.
9 min read
Montana Police Reports: How to Get a Crash Report, Incident Report, or Bodycam Video
How Montana crash reports, incident reports, and bodycam footage work under the Montana Highway Patrol and the Montana Criminal Justice Information Act.
5 min read
Montana Pornography Laws (2026): No General Obscenity Ban
Montana porn laws for 2026: the harmful-to-minors-only obscenity gap, private-lawsuit-only age verification, CSAM penalties, and revenge porn rules.
10 min read
Montana Power of Attorney Laws: Durable, Medical, and Financial POA (2026)
Montana adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Mont. Code Ann. 72-31-301 to 72-31-367). A financial POA is durable by default and requires notarization; no witnesses needed. Health care decisions use a separate declaration under Mont. Code Ann. 50-9-103.
8 min read
Montana Probate and Intestate Succession: What Happens Without a Will (2026)
Learn how Montana probate works under the Uniform Probate Code, who inherits without a will, and the small estate thresholds.
7 min read