Montana Title 72. Estates, Trusts, and Fiduciary Relationships § 72-3-804. Manner of presentation of claims

(1) The claimant shall mail to the personal representative return receipt requested a written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed or may file a written statement of the claim, in the form prescribed by rule, with the clerk of the court. The claim is considered presented on the first to occur of receipt of the written statement of claim by the personal representative or the filing of the claim with the court. If a claim is not yet due, the date when it will become due must be stated. If the claim is contingent or unliquidated, the nature of the uncertainty must be stated. If the claim is secured, the security must be described. Failure to describe correctly the security, the nature of any uncertainty, and the due date of a claim not yet due does not invalidate the presentation made.

(2) The claimant may commence a proceeding against the personal representative, in any court where the personal representative may be subjected to jurisdiction, to obtain payment of the claim against the estate, but the commencement of the proceeding must occur within the time limited for presenting the claim. A presentation of claim is not required in regard to matters claimed in proceedings against the decedent that were pending at the time of death.

(3) If a claim is presented under subsection (1), a proceeding on the claim may not be commenced more than 60 days after the personal representative has mailed a notice of disallowance, but in the case of a claim that is not presently due or that is contingent or unliquidated, the personal representative may consent to an extension of the 60-day period or, to avoid injustice, the court, on petition, may order an extension of the 60-day period, but the extension may not run beyond the applicable statute of limitations.