United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Montana

9th Circuit Missoula, Montana

About This Court

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana is a unit of the federal district court system serving the entire state of Montana. The court has jurisdiction over all bankruptcy cases filed under Title 11 of the United States Code within Montana's borders, including cases under Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13. Montana is a single-district state, so the bankruptcy court's territorial jurisdiction spans the full geographic area of the state.

The court is part of the Ninth Circuit and operates under the supervision of the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Bankruptcy judges are appointed by the court of appeals for the circuit in which the district is located and serve fourteen-year terms. The court handles consumer and business bankruptcy matters across a largely rural state with an economy tied significantly to agriculture, ranching, and natural resources.

The primary clerk's office is located in Missoula, which serves as the administrative hub for bankruptcy proceedings in the district. Given Montana's geographic size and low population density, the court serves a relatively modest caseload compared to bankruptcy courts in more populous states.

Handles cases filed under the federal Bankruptcy Code within the jurisdiction of the District of Montana. Bankruptcy judges are appointed by the court of appeals for 14-year terms. Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.

Caseload

The court handles a moderate volume of consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases, along with Chapter 12 family farmer and family fisherman reorganizations reflecting Montana's agricultural economy. Business reorganization cases under Chapter 11 are filed periodically, often involving natural resource or agricultural enterprises.

Bar Admission

Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Montana to appear in the bankruptcy court. Admission to the district court bar generally requires membership in good standing with the Montana State Bar or admission pro hac vice for out-of-state attorneys.

Clerk's Office

Mike Mansfield Federal Building, 400 North Main Street, Butte, MT 59701

Local Rules

The Local Rules of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana, which supplement the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.

Civil Rules 8

Rule	Title
RULE 7005-1	Service by Electronic Means.
RULE 7016-1	Pretrial Procedures.
RULE 7016-2	Continuances of Dates Set in Case Scheduling Order.
RULE 7026-1	Discovery.
RULE 7055-1	Default and Default Judgment.
RULE 7056-1	Summary Judgment.
RULE 7067-1	Registry Funds
RULE 9015-1	Jury Trials.

General Rules 99

Rule	Title
RULE 1001-1	Scope, Applicability, and Promulgation of Local Rules; Short Title.
RULE 1002-1	Petition - General.
RULE 1005-1	Petition - Caption.
RULE 1006-1	Fees; Installment Payments.
RULE 1007-1	Schedules, Statement of Financial Affairs, Statement of Social Security Number, and Other Official Forms.
RULE 1007-2	Master Mailing List.
RULE 1009-1	Amendments to Petition, Schedules, Master Mailing List, and Statement.
RULE 1015-1	Joint Administration and Consolidation.
RULE 1017-1	Dismissal or Conversion.
RULE 1019-1	Conversion from One Chapter to Another.
RULE 1074-1	Representation of Corporations, Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, Trusts, Associations, and Other Legal Entities.
RULE 2002-1	Notice to Creditors and Other Parties in Interest.
RULE 2002-2	Requests for Special Notice.
RULE 2002-3	Notice to United States and Montana State Agencies.
RULE 2002-4	Notice of Application for Professional Fees and Costs.
RULE 2003-1	Scheduling of Creditors' Meetings, Bankruptcy Information Sheet, and Debtor Declaration Sheet.
RULE 2003-2	Time Limitations of Creditors' Meetings.
RULE 2003-3	Attendance and Cooperation at Creditors' Meetings.
RULE 2003-4	Continuance of Meeting of Creditors.
RULE 2003-5	Debtor Duties.
RULE 2003-6	Oral Notice of Continuance of Meeting of Creditors.
RULE 2003-7	Failure to Appear at Creditors' Meetings.
RULE 2004-1	Rule 2004 Examinations.
RULE 2014-1	Applications for Employment of Professionals.
RULE 2014-2	Standard Forms of Attorney Retention Agreements.
RULE 2015-1	Trustee's Administrative Expenses.
RULE 2015-2	Monthly Operating and Other Reports to the Court and United States Trustee.
RULE 2016-1	Applications for Compensation of Professionals.
RULE 2016-2	Attorney Fees Paid Through Chapter 13 Plans.
RULE 3001-1	Reserved.
RULE 3001-2	Attachments to Proof of Claim.
RULE 3002-1	Late Filed Claims in Chapter 12 and 13 Cases.
RULE 3003-1	Proofs of Claim and Interest in Chapter 11 Cases.
RULE 3007-1	Objections to Proofs of Claim.
RULE 3011-1	Unclaimed Funds
RULE 3012-1	Valuation of Allowed Secured Claims in Chapter 11, 12, or 13.
RULE 3014-1	Election under § 1111(b) by Secured Creditor in a Subchapter V, Chapter 11 Case.
RULE 3015-1	Objections to Confirmation or Modification of Chapter 12 or 13 Plans.
RULE 3015-2	Amendment of Plans.
RULE 3017-1	Objections to Chapter 11 Disclosure Statements and Plans.
RULE 3017-2	Amendments to Subchapter V Plans Before Confirmation Hearing to Address Plan Objections.
RULE 3017-3	Report of Administrative Expenses in Chapter 11 Cases.
RULE 3018-1	Chapter 11 Ballots-Voting on Plans.
RULE 3020-1	Quarterly Fees in Chapter 11 Cases.
RULE 3022-1	Chapter 11 Case Closings.
RULE 4001-1	Motions to Modify Stay.
RULE 4001-2	Orders Granting Modification of Stay.
RULE 4001-3	Scope and Content of Account Information and Statements Secured Creditors May Provide to Debtors Postpetition.
RULE 4002-1	Property in Need of Attention or Protection, Debtors with Special Needs, Privacy Ombudsmen, Domestic Support Obligations, and Other Documentation.
RULE 4002-2	Annual Financial Reports in Chapter 12 Cases.
RULE 4002-3	Plan Payments in Chapter 12 Cases.
RULE 4002-4	Estimate of Administrative Expenses in Chapter 12 Cases.
RULE 4002-5	Monthly Financial Reports in Chapter 12 and 13 Cases.
RULE 4002-6	Filing of Income Documentation for 60 Days Before Bankruptcy and Turnover of Income Documentation for 60 Days to Chapter 13 Trustee.
RULE 4002-7	Turnover of Income Tax Returns during Pendency of Case.
RULE 4003-1	Claims of Exemptions.
RULE 4003-2	Homestead Exemptions.
RULE 4003-3	Objections to Claims of Exemption.
RULE 4003-4	Motions for Avoidance of Liens.
RULE 4004-1	Procedures for Entry of Discharge in Chapter 12 and 13 Cases.
RULE 5001-1	Clerk's Office Hours and Address.
RULE 5001-2	Divisions of Court.
RULE 5001-3	Court Hearings and Creditors' Meetings.
RULE 5003-1	Withdrawal of Documents from Proofs of Claim.
RULE 5003-2	Exhibits to Pleadings and Proofs of Claim.
RULE 5003-3	Judgments and Orders.
RULE 5005-1	Electronic Filing.
RULE 5005-2	Requirements for Papers, Attorneys, Parties, and Bankruptcy Petition Preparers.
RULE 5005-3	Custody of Records and Release.
RULE 5005-4	Custody of Exhibits and Release.
RULE 5009-1	Trustee's Report and Accounting in Chapter 12 and 13 Cases.
RULE 5010-1	Reopening Closed Cases with Subsequent Income Tax Refunds.
RULE 5011-1	Withdrawal of Reference.
RULE 5070-1	Scheduling.
RULE 5071-1	Request for Continuance.
RULE 5072-1	Decorum in all proceedings.
RULE 5073-1	Photography, Recording Devices, and Broadcasting.
RULE 5074-1	Telephone, Video, or In-Person Conferences and Hearings.
RULE 5077-1	Availability of Audio Files of Court Proceedings on the Public Docket
RULE 5078-1	Clerk's Fees in Chapter 13 Cases.
RULE 6004-1	Notice of a Proposed Sale by Trustee or Debtor in Possession.
RULE 6006-1	Motions for Assumption or Rejection of an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease.
RULE 6007-1	Abandonment.
RULE 9001-1	Definitions.
RULE 9003-1	Ex Parte Contact.
RULE 9004-1	Case Numbering for Pleadings.
RULE 9005-1	Constitutional Challenge to a Statute – Notice, Certification, and Intervention.
RULE 9007-1	Notice to Creditors and Others in Chapter 7 Asset Cases, and Chapter 12 and 13 Cases.
RULE 9009-1	Form of Chapter 12 and 13 Plans.
RULE 9011-1	Signing of Papers; Representations to the Court.
RULE 9011-2	Reminders to the Court.
RULE 9013-1	Motion Practice.
RULE 9013-2	Briefs and Memoranda of Law.
RULE 9018-1	Highly Sensitive Documents (HSDs)
RULE 9019-1	Alternative Dispute Resolution and Settlement Conferences.
RULE 9022-1	Notice of Judgment or Order.
RULE 9029-1	Local Rules.
RULE 9036-1	Notice by Electronic Transmission.
RULE 9037-1	Privacy Protection for Filings Made with the Court.

Attorney Rules 7

Rule	Title
RULE 2090-1	Admission to Practice before the Bankruptcy Court.
Rule 2090-2	Self-Represented Litigants.
RULE 2090-3	Notice of Change of Status.
RULE 2090-4	Attorney Discipline, Suspension, and Disbarment.
RULE 2090-5	Temporary Co-Counsel and Attorney Withdrawal.
RULE 2090-6	Communications with the Court and Ex Parte Motions and Applications (deleted December 2025)
RULE 2091-1	Student Practice Rule.

Other Courts in the 9th Circuit

Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California Los Angeles, California Bankruptcy Court, District of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona Phoenix, Arizona Bankruptcy Court, District of Guam Hagatna, Guam Bankruptcy Court, District of Hawaii Honolulu, Hawaii Bankruptcy Court, District of Idaho Boise, Idaho Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada Bankruptcy Court, District of Oregon Portland, Oregon Bankruptcy Court, District of the Northern Mariana Islands Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California Sacramento, California Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Washington Spokane, Washington Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California San Francisco, California Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of California San Diego, California Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington Seattle, Washington