Montana Code Annotated

Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-609 (2026)

Personal Property Exempt Subject To Value Limitations

✓ current as of May 2026
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TITLE 25. CIVIL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 13. EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT

Part 6. Property Exempt From Execution

Personal Property Exempt Subject To Value Limitations

25-13-609. Personal property exempt subject to value limitations. A judgment debtor is entitled to exemption from execution of the following:

(1) the judgment debtor's interest, not to exceed $7,000 in aggregate value, to the extent of a value not exceeding $1,250 in any item of property, in household furnishings and goods, appliances, jewelry, wearing apparel, books, firearms and other sporting goods, animals, feed, crops, and musical instruments;

(2) the judgment debtor's interest, not to exceed $4,000 in value, in one motor vehicle; and

(3) the judgment debtor's interest, not to exceed $4,500 in aggregate value, in any implements, professional books, and tools, of the trade of the judgment debtor or a dependent of the judgment debtor.

History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 302, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 130, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 237, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 397, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 539, L. 2021.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 28 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1988–2022 · leading case: In Re Maynard, 2006 MT 162 (Mont. 2006).
In Re Maynard, 2006 MT 162 (Mont. 2006). · cites it 20× “” ¶12 The bankruptcy trustee also argues that allowing an exemption for a gun under § 25-13-613(1)(b), MCA, merely duplicates the exemption allowed under § 25-13-609, MCA, under which firearms may be included.”
In Re Mutchler, 95 B.R. 748 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1989). · cites it 19× “The Debtors claim exempt under Section 25-13-609, M.C.A., 44 separate items to which the Trustee and PCA object to the items of two metal detectors, two freezers, office equipment, desk, file cabinet, office chair and calculator, 1970 17' boat, 1974 boat trailer, T81 Yamaha…”
In re Case No. 00-33150-7, Zimmermann, 2002 MT 90 (Mont. 2002). · cites it 14× “In each proceeding, a married couple filed a joint bankruptcy petition and each spouse claimed a separate set of personal property exemptions pursuant to § 25-13-609, MCA. The Bankruptcy Trustee (Trustee) objected to the claimed exemptions in each case, contending that joint…”
Dorwart v. Caraway, 1998 MT 191 (Mont. 1998). · cites it 12× “In contrast, § 25-13-609, MCA, provides that judgment debtors are entitled to exemption from execution of the debtor's interest, not exceeding designated monetary values, in various specified items of personal property.”
Bank of Am. v. Ivey, 2010 MT 131 (Mont. 2010). · cites it 12× “¶1 This is an appeal from the order of the Second Judicial District Court, Silver Bow County, holding that Mary Jo Ivey’s personal checking account is not exempt from execution under § 25-13-609(1), MCA. We affirm. ¶2 Mary Jo is a disabled resident of Butte, Montana.”
In Re Siegle, 257 B.R. 591 (Bankr. D. Mont. 2001). · cites it 32× “Pursuant to MCA § 31-2-106(1), an individual may exempt certain property identified in MCA § 25-13-609. MCA § 25-13-609(1) provides, in pertinent part: A judgment debtor is entitled to exemption from execution of the following: (1) the judgment debtor’s interest, not to exceed…”
CBI Inc. v. Sharon McCrea, 2012 MT 167 (Mont. 2012). · cites it 20× “She also cited several specific exemptions provided in § 25-13-609, MCA, such as household furnishings and a motor vehicle.”
In Re Zimmerman, 2002 MT 90 (Mont. 2002). · cites it 14× “In each proceeding, a married couple filed a joint bankruptcy petition and each spouse claimed a separate set of personal property exemptions pursuant to § 25-13-609, MCA. The Bankruptcy Trustee (Trustee) objected to the claimed exemptions in each case, contending that joint…”
Brenton v. Est. of Sandvig, 819 P.2d 184 (Mont. 1991). · cites it 16× “Section 25-13-609, MCA, grants certain personal property exemptions subject to value limitations.”
In Re Holzapfel, 2011 MT 257 (Mont. 2011). · cites it 19× “¶4 Section 25-13-609, MCA, provides: A judgment debtor is entitled to exemption from execution of the following: (1) the judgment debtor’s interest, not to exceed $4500 in aggregate value, to the extent of a value not exceeding $600 in any item of property, in ... firearms and…”
In Re Shumaker, 124 B.R. 820 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1991). · cites it 6× “The remaining issues raised by the Union’s objection deal with the claim of exemption of a computer under Section 25-13-609(3), Mont.Code Ann., as a tool of the trade and the exemption of the Debt- or’s IRA account.”
Marriage of Winters v. Winters, 2004 MT 82 (Mont. 2004). · cites it 8× “Section 25-13-609(3), MCA, provides that up to $3,000 worth of the implements, professional books, and tools of the debtor’s trade are exempt from execution.”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-609(1) — 9 cases
In Re Maynard, 2006 MT 162 (Mont. 2006). “” ¶12 The bankruptcy trustee also argues that allowing an exemption for a gun under § 25-13-613(1)(b), MCA, merely duplicates the exemption allowed under § 25-13-609, MCA, under which firearms may be included.”
Bank of Am. v. Ivey, 2010 MT 131 (Mont. 2010). “¶1 This is an appeal from the order of the Second Judicial District Court, Silver Bow County, holding that Mary Jo Ivey’s personal checking account is not exempt from execution under § 25-13-609(1), MCA. We affirm. ¶2 Mary Jo is a disabled resident of Butte, Montana.”
In Re Siegle, 257 B.R. 591 (Bankr. D. Mont. 2001). “Pursuant to MCA § 31-2-106(1), an individual may exempt certain property identified in MCA § 25-13-609. MCA § 25-13-609(1) provides, in pertinent part: A judgment debtor is entitled to exemption from execution of the following: (1) the judgment debtor’s interest, not to exceed…”
In Re Mutchler, 95 B.R. 748 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1989). “The Debtors claim exempt under Section 25-13-609, M.C.A., 44 separate items to which the Trustee and PCA object to the items of two metal detectors, two freezers, office equipment, desk, file cabinet, office chair and calculator, 1970 17' boat, 1974 boat trailer, T81 Yamaha…”
In Re Holzapfel, 2011 MT 257 (Mont. 2011). “¶4 Section 25-13-609, MCA, provides: A judgment debtor is entitled to exemption from execution of the following: (1) the judgment debtor’s interest, not to exceed $4500 in aggregate value, to the extent of a value not exceeding $600 in any item of property, in ... firearms and…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-609(2) — 12 cases
Brenton v. Est. of Sandvig, 819 P.2d 184 (Mont. 1991). “Section 25-13-609, MCA, grants certain personal property exemptions subject to value limitations.”
In Re Mutchler, 95 B.R. 748 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1989). “The Debtors claim exempt under Section 25-13-609, M.C.A., 44 separate items to which the Trustee and PCA object to the items of two metal detectors, two freezers, office equipment, desk, file cabinet, office chair and calculator, 1970 17' boat, 1974 boat trailer, T81 Yamaha…”
Ostrovsky v. Monroe (In Re Ellingson), 230 B.R. 426 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1999).
In Re Welsh, 440 B.R. 836 (Bankr. D. Mont. 2010).
In Re Holzapfel, 2011 MT 257 (Mont. 2011). “¶4 Section 25-13-609, MCA, provides: A judgment debtor is entitled to exemption from execution of the following: (1) the judgment debtor’s interest, not to exceed $4500 in aggregate value, to the extent of a value not exceeding $600 in any item of property, in ... firearms and…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-609(3) — 6 cases
In Re Shumaker, 124 B.R. 820 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1991). “The remaining issues raised by the Union’s objection deal with the claim of exemption of a computer under Section 25-13-609(3), Mont.Code Ann., as a tool of the trade and the exemption of the Debt- or’s IRA account.”
Marriage of Winters v. Winters, 2004 MT 82 (Mont. 2004). “Section 25-13-609(3), MCA, provides that up to $3,000 worth of the implements, professional books, and tools of the debtor’s trade are exempt from execution.”
In Re Cabrera, 96 B.R. 304 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1988).
In Re Mutchler, 95 B.R. 748 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1989). “The Debtors claim exempt under Section 25-13-609, M.C.A., 44 separate items to which the Trustee and PCA object to the items of two metal detectors, two freezers, office equipment, desk, file cabinet, office chair and calculator, 1970 17' boat, 1974 boat trailer, T81 Yamaha…”
In Re Siegle, 257 B.R. 591 (Bankr. D. Mont. 2001). “Pursuant to MCA § 31-2-106(1), an individual may exempt certain property identified in MCA § 25-13-609. MCA § 25-13-609(1) provides, in pertinent part: A judgment debtor is entitled to exemption from execution of the following: (1) the judgment debtor’s interest, not to exceed…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-609(3)(a) — 1 case
In Re Mutchler, 95 B.R. 748 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1989). “The Debtors claim exempt under Section 25-13-609, M.C.A., 44 separate items to which the Trustee and PCA object to the items of two metal detectors, two freezers, office equipment, desk, file cabinet, office chair and calculator, 1970 17' boat, 1974 boat trailer, T81 Yamaha…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-609(3)(c) — 1 case
In Re Neutgens, 126 B.R. 91 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1989).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-609(7) — 1 case
In Re Siegle, 257 B.R. 591 (Bankr. D. Mont. 2001). “Pursuant to MCA § 31-2-106(1), an individual may exempt certain property identified in MCA § 25-13-609. MCA § 25-13-609(1) provides, in pertinent part: A judgment debtor is entitled to exemption from execution of the following: (1) the judgment debtor’s interest, not to exceed…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-609(a) — 1 case
In Re Mutchler, 95 B.R. 748 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1989). “The Debtors claim exempt under Section 25-13-609, M.C.A., 44 separate items to which the Trustee and PCA object to the items of two metal detectors, two freezers, office equipment, desk, file cabinet, office chair and calculator, 1970 17' boat, 1974 boat trailer, T81 Yamaha…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-609(l) — 1 case
In Re Rhines, 227 B.R. 308 (Bankr. D. Mont. 1998).
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