72-3-1102. Effect of affidavit. (1) The person paying, delivering, transferring, or issuing personal property or the evidence of personal property pursuant to affidavit is discharged and released to the same extent as if the person dealt with a personal representative of the decedent. The person is not required to see to the application of the personal property or evidence of personal property or to inquire into the truth of any statement in the affidavit.

Ask a will, trust or estate question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified estate & trust lawyers.
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Montana Code 72-3-1102

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Affidavit: means a sworn written declaration made before an officer authorized to administer oaths or an unsworn written declaration made under penalty of perjury as provided in 1-6-105. See Montana Code 1-1-203
  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Personal property: means money, goods, chattels, things in action, and evidences of debt. See Montana Code 1-1-205
  • Property: means real and personal property. See Montana Code 1-1-205

(2)If any person to whom an affidavit is delivered refuses to pay, deliver, transfer, or issue any personal property or evidence of personal property, it may be recovered or its payment, delivery, transfer, or issuance compelled upon proof of their right in a proceeding brought for the purpose by or on behalf of the persons entitled to the property.

(3)A person to whom payment, delivery, transfer, or issuance is made is answerable and accountable for the property to any person representative of the estate or to any other person having a superior right.