30-3-122. Statute of limitations. (1) Except as provided in subsection (5), an action to enforce the obligation of a party to pay a note payable at a definite time must be commenced within 6 years after the payment date or dates stated in the note or, if a payment date is accelerated, within 6 years after the accelerated payment date.

Terms Used In Montana Code 30-3-122

  • Acceptor: means a drawee that has accepted a draft. See Montana Code 30-3-102
  • Maker: means a person that signs a note as promisor of payment. See Montana Code 30-3-102
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Party: means party to an instrument. See Montana Code 30-3-102

(2)Except as provided in subsection (4) or (5), if demand for payment is made to the maker of a note payable on demand, an action to enforce the obligation of a party to pay the note must be commenced within 6 years after the demand. If no demand for payment is made to the maker, an action to enforce the note is barred if neither principal nor interest on the note has been paid for a continuous period of 10 years.

(3)Except as provided in subsection (4), an action to enforce the obligation of a party to an unaccepted draft to pay the draft must be commenced within 6 years after dishonor of the draft or 10 years after the date of the draft, whichever period expires first.

(4)An action to enforce the obligation of the acceptor of a certified check or the issuer of a teller’s check, cashier’s check, or traveler’s check must be commenced within 6 years after demand for payment is made to the acceptor or issuer, as the case may be.

(5)An action to enforce the obligation of a party to a certificate of deposit to pay the instrument must be commenced within 6 years after demand for payment is made to the maker, but if the instrument states a maturity date and the maker is not required to pay before that date, the 6-year period begins when a demand for payment is in effect and the maturity date has passed.

(6)This subsection applies to an action to enforce the obligation of a party to pay an accepted draft, other than a certified check. If the obligation of the acceptor is payable at a definite time, the action must be commenced within 6 years after the payment date or dates stated in the draft or acceptance. If the obligation of the acceptor is payable on demand, the action must be commenced within 6 years after the date of the acceptance.

(7)Unless governed by other law regarding claims for indemnity or contribution, an action for conversion of an instrument, for money had and received, or for like action based on conversion; for breach of warranty; or to enforce an obligation, duty, or right arising under this chapter and not governed by this section must be commenced within 3 years after the cause of action accrues.