Statute of Limitations in Montana
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Montana? In Montana, the statute of limitations is 3 years for personal injury, 8 years for written contracts and 2 years for defamation; most other civil claims fall between 2 and 8 years. Every period below is linked to its official Montana statute.
This tool provides estimates for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Limitation periods depend on discovery rules, tolling, statutes of repose, and the specific facts. Always verify against the cited statute or consult a Montana attorney.
Montana statute of limitations by claim type
Every Montana civil deadline below is quoted from the statute and linked to its official text. Verified Jun 13, 2026 against the official Montana statutes (archive.legmt.gov).
| Claim type | Limitation period | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal injury | 3 years | MCA § 27-2-204 | |
| Wrongful death | 3 years | MCA § 27-2-204(2) | |
| Written contract | 8 years | MCA § 27-2-202(1) | written contract; 8 years |
| Oral contract | 5 years | MCA § 27-2-202(2) | |
| Property damage | 2 years | MCA § 27-2-207 | |
| Medical malpractice | 2 years | MCA § 27-2-205 | 2 yrs from act or discovery; 5-year repose |
| Defamation (libel/slander) | 2 years | MCA § 27-2-204(3) | libel and slander |
| Debt collection | 8 years | MCA § 27-2-202(1) | written; open account 5 yrs (§ 27-2-202(2)) |
Enter a date of incident in the lookup above to estimate your exact filing deadline and add a reminder to your calendar.
Montana deadlines at a glance
In Montana, civil filing deadlines run from 2 years (property damage, medical malpractice and defamation) to 8 years (written contract and debt collection). Its 3 years personal-injury deadline is longer than in most states.
Several Montana claims carry specific accrual, discovery, or repose rules worth noting:
- Written contract (8 years): written contract; 8 years (MCA § 27-2-202(1)).
- Medical malpractice (2 years): 2 yrs from act or discovery; 5-year repose (MCA § 27-2-205).
- Defamation (2 years): libel and slander (MCA § 27-2-204(3)).
- Debt collection (8 years): written; open account 5 yrs (§ 27-2-202(2)) (MCA § 27-2-202(1)).
New to limitation periods? Read what a statute of limitations is: how the clock accrues, the discovery rule, and tolling.
The most-searched Montana deadlines
- Personal injury & car accidents: 3 years. Injury claims must be filed within 3 years of the incident (MCA § 27-2-204).
- Debt: 8 years. Most debt is time-barred after 8 years (MCA § 27-2-202(1)). A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock, so respond to a collector with a validation or dispute letter. Find a letter template →
- Defamation: 2 years. Libel and slander (MCA § 27-2-204(3)).
- Contracts: 8 years. Written agreements (MCA § 27-2-202(1)).
Count the exact filing date
A limitation period gives you the year; the deadline calculator counts the precise date (answer windows, court days, and holidays included) and exports it to your calendar.
Open the Montana deadline calculator →Statute of limitations in other states
Limitation periods differ in every state. Browse the full 50-state lookup, or jump to a nearby state.
Nearby states: Idaho · North Dakota · South Dakota · Wyoming · California · Texas
Montana statute of limitations FAQ
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Montana?
What is the statute of limitations in Montana?
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident in Montana?
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Montana?
What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Montana?
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