WALK IT THROUGH
50 Montana situations taken one decision at a time. Every step says what the law asks of each side, cites it, and links to the section it comes from.
50 walkthroughs
Traffic stops, 7 walkthroughs
- The Stop on the Two LaneLights behind on a state highway, a license on a phone, an insurance card, and a question about the trunk.3 steps →
- The Dent in the Parking LotAn empty car with a crumpled door, a note under the wiper, and a report at $1,000 of damage.3 steps →
- The New DriverA learner license, 50 hours with a parent, a first license, and the passenger rule for the first 6 months.3 steps →
- The Lapsed InsuranceA policy that lapsed, a stop, a $250 to $500 fine, and the plates on a second conviction.3 steps →
- The Ambulance on the InterstateA siren behind, a stopped trooper ahead, and 20 under the limit when a lane change is possible.3 steps →
- The School Bus on the County RoadAmber lights, then red, about 30 feet back, and a fine of $500 to $1,000 the first time.3 steps →
- The Tinted WindowsFront windows at 24%, the rear at 14%, and a medical waiver in writing.3 steps →
Being stopped, 2 walkthroughs
Marijuana and drugs, 2 walkthroughs
Impaired driving, 3 walkthroughs
- The Breath Test After the RodeoA preliminary breath test, an arrest, the request for the real test, and 30 days to go to court on the license.3 steps →
- The Teen and the Six PackA driver under 21, a beer at a party, 0.02, and a license suspended 90 days the first time.3 steps →
- The Second DUI7 days to 1 year, $1,200 to $2,000, a 1 year suspension, and the 24/7 program or an interlock.3 steps →
Court and money, 21 walkthroughs
- The Last PaycheckA quit with notice, final pay by the next payday or 15 days, and a penalty up to 110%.3 steps →
- The Firing with No ReasonA long past probationary period, a firing with no reason, the employer's appeal, and 1 year to sue.3 steps →
- The Fall at the WarehouseNotice within 30 days, a signed claim within 12 months, and an answer from the insurer in 30.3 steps →
- The Unemployment ClaimA firing called misconduct, a denial, and 10 days to appeal each decision.3 steps →
- The Summer Job at FifteenA burger place, 40 hours in a summer week, 9 p.m. until Labor Day, and 3 hours on a school day.3 steps →
- The Pay GapA woman paid less than a man for the same work, the equal pay law, and 180 days to complain.3 steps →
- The Divorce Filing90 days in the state, a marriage irretrievably broken, a pause for counseling, and an equitable split.3 steps →
- The Move with the KidsA job across the state, a motion served 30 days before the move, and 21 days to object.3 steps →
- The Protective Order HearingA temporary order at once, a hearing within 20 days, an order that cannot run both ways, and a crime to break it.3 steps →
- The Will in the DrawerA handwritten will, a typed one with two witnesses, and a later will that replaces both.3 steps →
- The Estate with No WillA husband who dies with no will, a child from before the marriage, and an affidavit 30 days after.3 steps →
- The Spouse Left OutA will that leaves a wife nothing, an elective share of 50% of the marital property, and 9 months to claim it.3 steps →
- The Hospital DecisionA living will witnessed by two, a power of attorney that survives incapacity, and a change of heart at any time.3 steps →
- The Records RequestA request to a state agency, receipt in 5 business days, $25 an hour for search, and court on a denial.3 steps →
- The Closed Door SessionA school board that closes a meeting, the privacy test, the minutes, and 30 days to sue.3 steps →
- The Vote After the SentenceOut of prison, rights restored when the sentence ends, and registration by noon the day before.3 steps →
- The Salesman at the DoorA water softener sold at the door, three business days to cancel, and the money back in 10 days.3 steps →
- The New Truck in the ShopA defect fixed four times under warranty, 30 business days out of service, and a replacement or a refund.3 steps →
- The Garnished PaycheckA judgment on a credit card, 25% of a week's pay at most, and a car and tools that stay exempt.3 steps →
- The Small Claim for a RepairA botched roof repair, a claim up to $7,000, no lawyers unless both sides have one, and 10 days to appeal.3 steps →
- The Marriage LicenseA $53 fee at the clerk's office, a license good for 180 days, and counseling for a couple under 18.3 steps →
Your home, 8 walkthroughs
- The Squatter in the CabinA stranger living in a cabin, a forged lease, removal by police, and rent owed back.3 steps →
- The Deposit After Moving OutA condition statement at move in, a cleaning notice with 24 hours, and a list within 30 days.3 steps →
- The Furnace in JanuaryNo heat, a written notice, 3 working days in an emergency, and 14 days for the rest.3 steps →
- The Late Rent and the Court PapersA 3 day notice, a summons with 10 days to answer, and a hearing within 10 business days.3 steps →
- The Landlord with a Key24 hours' notice, reasonable times, and an injunction or a way out when entry turns to harassment.3 steps →
- The Month to Month Move30 days' written notice, rent apportioned by the day, and an inspection the week before.3 steps →
- The Rent Raise After the ComplaintA written complaint about the mold, a rent increase a month later, and a presumption within 6 months.3 steps →
- The Keys on Move in DayA deposit paid, the old tenant still there, rent that stops, and 5 days' notice to walk away.3 steps →
Recording, 1 walkthroughs
Carrying a firearm, 1 walkthroughs
Charges and penalties, 2 walkthroughs
How you carry yourself, 3 walkthroughs
- The Noise in the KitchenA broken window at night, a stranger inside, and an investigation that looks for the justification too.3 steps →
- The Shove Outside the BarA challenge to fight, a shove, and the line between disorderly conduct, assault and self defense.3 steps →
- The Messages That Will Not StopRepeated texts from an ex, a GPS tracker, a temporary order, and a hearing within 20 days.3 steps →
About this guide — education built from the Montana Code Annotated as the Montana Legislature publishes it, not a law degree in a webpage. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Montana attorney or a legal aid office. Current as of October 2026.