Source: http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=183&state_code=MT&lang=en
Timestamp: 2017-10-24 09:19:14
Document Index: 400091009

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40']

WomensLaw.org | Montana: Divorce
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http://www.womenslaw.org//laws_state_type.php?id=183&state_code=MT〈=en
Basic information about divorce in Montana.
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=183&state_code=MT〈=en
What are the residency requirements for divorce in Montana?
What are the grounds for divorce in Montana?
Where can I find additional information about divorce laws in Montana?
back to topWhat are the residency requirements for divorce in Montana?
The judge can grant you a divorce in Montana if you or your spouse has lived in the state (or was stationed in the state as a member of the armed services) for ninety days before filing the petition for divorce.*
* MT ST § 25-2-118
The judge can grant you a divorce in Montana if you or your spouse has lived in the state (or was stationed in the state as a member of the armed services) for ninety days before filing the petition for divorce.* * MT ST § 25-2-118
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=183&state_code=MT〈=en#content-16402
back to topWhat are the grounds for divorce in Montana?
Grounds are legally acceptable reasons for divorce. In Montana, neither spouse is required to accuse the other of any fault or wrongdoing to be eligible for a divorce. To file for divorce in Montana, you (or your spouse) can file a petition stating that your marriage is irretrievably broken (there is no reasonable potential for getting back together). The judge will decide that your marriage is irretrievably broken if:
you and your spouse have lived separate and apart for more than 180 days before filing for divorce; or
there is a serious marital discord (disagreement) that negatively affects your or your spouse’s attitude about your marriage.***
If you and your spouse agree about the breakdown of your marriage, the judge will determine whether your marriage is broken by looking at evidence of the above factors.*
If you and your spouse disagree about the breakdown of your marriage, the judge will have to determine whether in fact the marriage is irretrievably broken by also considering:
the circumstances of your divorce; and
any potential for reconciliation.**
The judge may continue your case for 30-60 days and suggest that you and your spouse go to counseling if you disagree about the breakdown of your marriage. At the next hearing, the judge will decide if your marriage is irretrievably broken.****
* MT ST § 40-4-107(1)
** MT ST § 40-4-107(2)
*** MT ST § 40-4-104(1)(b)
**** MT ST § 40-4-107(2)
Grounds are legally acceptable reasons for divorce. In Montana, neither spouse is required to accuse the other of any fault or wrongdoing to be eligible for a divorce. To file for divorce in Montana, you (or your spouse) can file a petition stating that your marriage is irretrievably broken (there is no reasonable potential for getting back together). The judge will decide that your marriage is irretrievably broken if: * you and your spouse have lived separate and apart for more than 180 days before filing for divorce; or * there is a serious marital discord (disagreement) that negatively affects your or your spouse’s attitude about your marriage.*** If you and your spouse agree about the breakdown of your marriage, the judge will determine whether your marriage is broken by looking at evidence of the above factors.* If you and your spouse disagree about the breakdown of your marriage, the judge will have to determine whether in fact the marriage is irretrievably broken by also considering: * the circumstances of your divorce; and * any potential for reconciliation.** The judge may continue your case for 30-60 days and suggest that you and your spouse go to counseling if you disagree about the breakdown of your marriage. At the next hearing, the judge will decide if your marriage is irretrievably broken.**** * MT ST § 40-4-107(1) ** MT ST § 40-4-107(2) *** MT ST § 40-4-104(1)(b) **** MT ST § 40-4-107(2)
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=183&state_code=MT〈=en#content-16403
Alimony (also called maintenance) is financial support paid by or to your spouse and can be awarded as part of a divorce. To decide whether or not to award you alimony and for how long alimony will be paid, a judge will consider:
your financial resources, including marital property that was awarded to you and any child support you receive for a child living with you;
your ability to meet your own needs independently;
the time needed for you to get the necessary education or training to find an appropriate job;
the standard of living during your marriage;
you age and physical/emotional condition; and
the ability of your spouse to meet her/his needs while paying alimony.*
Note: The judge will not consider the “marital misconduct” of either spouse when making a decision about alimony.*
* MT ST § 40-4-203(2)
Alimony (also called maintenance) is financial support paid by or to your spouse and can be awarded as part of a divorce. To decide whether or not to award you alimony and for how long alimony will be paid, a judge will consider: * your financial resources, including marital property that was awarded to you and any child support you receive for a child living with you; * your ability to meet your own needs independently; * the time needed for you to get the necessary education or training to find an appropriate job; * the standard of living during your marriage; * the length of your marriage; * you age and physical/emotional condition; and * the ability of your spouse to meet her/his needs while paying alimony.* Note: The judge will not consider the “marital misconduct” of either spouse when making a decision about alimony.* * MT ST § 40-4-203(2)
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=183&state_code=MT〈=en#content-16404
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=183&state_code=MT〈=en#content-16405
back to topWhere can I find additional information about divorce laws in Montana?
The following organizations have links to resources that may be helpful:
Montana Legal Services Association has a brochure on divorce (referred to as dissolution of marriage), which includes information on the residency requirements that must be met in order to file for a divorce in Montana.
State Law Library of Montana provides a glossary of commonly used legal terms that you might encounter if you choose to get a divorce.
State Bar of Montana answers some frequently asked questions about dissolution, including questions about grounds for dissolution and maintenance.
Montana Judicial Branch has links to court forms that you may need if you wish to end your marriage.
The following organizations have links to resources that may be helpful: * Montana Legal Services Association has a brochure [http://www.mtlsa.org/wp-content/uploads/Dissolution-of-Marriage.pdf] on divorce (referred to as dissolution of marriage), which includes information on the residency requirements that must be met in order to file for a divorce in Montana. * State Law Library of Montana provides a glossary [http://www.montanalawhelp.org/files/0ED0131F-1EC9-4FC4-652E-FC8C4E92C777/attachments/ECE6D029-B6DB-8EB6-46DC-9377019A9B80/397351Legal%20Terms%20in%20Dissolution.pdf] of commonly used legal terms that you might encounter if you choose to get a divorce. * State Bar of Montana answers some frequently asked questions [https://montanabar.site-ym.com/?page=DoM] about dissolution, including questions about grounds for dissolution and maintenance. * Montana Judicial Branch has links to court forms [http://courts.mt.gov/library/topic/end_marriage.mcpx] that you may need if you wish to end your marriage. WomensLaw.org is unrelated to the above organizations and cannot vouch for the accuracy of their sites. We provide these links for your information only.
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=183&state_code=MT〈=en#content-16406