Montana Title 72. Estates, Trusts, and Fiduciary Relationships § 72-3-104. Claims against decedent--necessity of administration

(1) A proceeding to enforce a claim against the estate of a decedent or the decedent's successors may not be revived or commenced before the appointment of a personal representative. After the appointment and until distribution, all proceedings and actions to enforce a claim against the estate are governed by the procedure prescribed by Title 72, chapter 3, parts 1 through 10, and 72-3-1101 through 72-3-1103. After distribution, a creditor whose claim has not been barred may recover from the distributees as provided in 72-3-1012 or from a former personal representative individually liable as provided in 72-3-1014.

(2) This section has no application to a proceeding by a secured creditor of the decedent to enforce the secured creditor's right to security except as to any deficiency judgment that might be sought in the proceeding.