Mont. Code Ann. » TITLE 70. PROPERTY · CHAPTER 20. TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY · Part 1. Method of Transfer
Montana Code Annotated

Mont. Code Ann. § 70-20-102 (2026)

Exceptions To Statute Of Frauds

✓ current as of May 2026
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  1. MCA Contents
  2. TITLE 70
  3. CHAPTER 20
  4. Part 1
  5. 70-20-102 Exceptions to statute of frauds

TITLE 70. PROPERTY

CHAPTER 20. TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY

Part 1. Method of Transfer

Exceptions To Statute Of Frauds

70-20-102. Exceptions to statute of frauds. Section 70-20-101 may not be construed to:

(1) affect the power of a testator in the disposition of the testator's real property by a last will and testament;

(2) prevent any trust from arising or being extinguished by implication or operation of law; or

(3) abridge the power of any court to compel the specific performance of an agreement, in case of partial performance of the agreement.

History: En. Sec. 7, p. 393, Cod. Stat. 1871; re-en. Sec. 161, 5th Div. Rev. Stat. 1879; re-en. Sec. 218, 5th Div. Comp. Stat. 1887; re-en. Sec. 3275, C. Civ. Proc. 1895; re-en. Sec. 7968, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 10612, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. C. Civ. Proc. Sec. 1972; re-en. Sec. 10612, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 93-1401-6; amd. Sec. 2141, Ch. 56, L. 2009.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases, 1981–2017 · leading case: Rase v. Castle Mountain Ranch, Inc., 631 P.2d 680 (Mont. 1981).
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Rase v. Castle Mountain Ranch, Inc., 631 P.2d 680 (Mont. 1981). · cites it 6× “As to the statute of frauds set forth in section 70-20-101, MCA, the next following statute, section 70-20-102, MCA, provides an exception to the statute of frauds for "any trust .”
Morton v. Lanier, 2002 MT 214, 55 P.3d 380. · cites it 5× “Section 70-20-102, MCA, provides exceptions to the Statute of Frauds, and states in relevant part, “Section 70-20-101 must not be construed to .”
In Re the Marriage of Moss, 1999 MT 62, 977 P.2d 322. · cites it 2× “See also § 70-20-102(2), MCA (stating that § 70-20-101, MCA, must not be construed to “prevent any trust from arising.”
Isaak v. Smith, 848 P.2d 1014 (Mont. 1993). · cites it 10× “Section 70-20-102, MCA, provides exceptions to this statute: Exceptions to statute of frauds.”
Luloff v. Blackburn, 906 P.2d 189 (Mont. 1995). · cites it 3× “Section 70-20-102, MCA; Hayes v. Hartelius (1985), 215 Mont.”
Wood v. Anderson, 2017 MT 180, 399 P.3d 304. “3d 380 ; see also §§ 70-20-102, 30-11-111, MCA. In Epletveit v.”
Hayes v. Hartelius, 697 P.2d 1349 (Mont. 1985). “The principle of part performance as an exception to the statute of frauds is recognized in sections 70-20-102 and 30-11-111, MCA. The same principle has long been recognized by this Court.”
Gray v. Silver Bow Cnty., 2003 MT 38N. · cites it 2× “However, a will, like a conveyance of real property, must be in writing. See § 72- 2-522, MCA. Gray has not produced, or even alleged, the existence of a written will 3 executed by her father, much less a will which overrode her mother's obtaining the property as a surviving…”
Woodard v. Castle Mountain Ranch (Mont. 1981). · cites it 3× “As to the statute of frauds set forth in section 70-20- 101, MCA, the next following statute, section 70-20-102, MCA, provides an exception to the statute of frauds for "any trust .”
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-20-102(2): 1 case
In Re the Marriage of Moss, 1999 MT 62, 977 P.2d 322. “See also § 70-20-102(2), MCA (stating that § 70-20-101, MCA, must not be construed to “prevent any trust from arising.”
Mont. Code Ann. § 70-20-102(3): 1 case
Morton v. Lanier, 2002 MT 214, 55 P.3d 380. “Section 70-20-102, MCA, provides exceptions to the Statute of Frauds, and states in relevant part, “Section 70-20-101 must not be construed to .”
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