Common Montana Probate Mistakes to Avoid

Adding up only the bank accounts and belongings, deciding the estate is under $100,000, and signing the affidavit while the decedent also owned a house in their own name.

Treating publication as optional, the way Idaho and Utah do, and never running the notice.

Paying the credit cards and the funeral home as bills arrive, before the claim period ends and before checking whether the estate can pay everyone.

Assuming a later will that leaves the house to someone else cancels a recorded transfer on death deed, or that tearing up the owner's copy revokes it.

A surviving spouse waiting for the will to be probated, or for the estate to settle, before deciding whether to claim the elective share.

Leaving a parent's house in the parent's name for years and planning to deal with it when it is sold.

A personal representative buying the family cabin at a price the family never agreed to, or living in the house rent-free while siblings wait.

Distributing the estate, or treating a joint-tenancy house as free and clear, without checking whether Medicaid paid for the decedent's care.