Montana Title 25. Civil Procedure § 25-35-603. Hearing date

The date for the appearance of the defendant to be set forth in the order must be determined by the justice of the peace or by the justice's clerk and may not be more than 40 or less than 10 days from the date of the order. Service of the order and a copy of the sworn complaint must be made upon the defendant not less than 5 days prior to the date set for the defendant's appearance by the order. If the order is not timely served, the plaintiff may have a new appearance date set by the justice of the peace or the justice's clerk and a new order issued and delivered to the sheriff, constable, or other process server. If necessary, repeated orders may be issued at any time within 1 year after the commencement of the action.