Montana Code Annotated

Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-902 (2026)

Distribution In Kind Preferred -- Method -- Valuation

✓ current as of May 2026
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TITLE 72. ESTATES, TRUSTS, AND FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIPS

CHAPTER 3. UPC -- PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION

Part 9. Special Provisions Relating to Distribution

Distribution In Kind Preferred -- Method -- Valuation

72-3-902. Distribution in kind preferred -- method -- valuation. Unless a contrary intention is indicated by the will, the distributable assets of a decedent's estate must be distributed in kind to the extent possible through application of the following provisions:

(1) A specific devisee is entitled to distribution of the thing devised to that devisee, and a spouse or child who has selected particular assets of an estate as provided in 72-2-413 must receive the items selected.

(2) Any homestead or family allowance or devise of a stated sum of money may be satisfied in kind if:

(a) the person entitled to the payment has not demanded payment in cash;

(b) the property distributed in kind is valued at fair market value as of the date of its distribution; and

(c) no residuary devisee has requested that the asset in question remain a part of the residue of the estate.

(3) For the purpose of valuation under subsection (2), any security regularly traded on a recognized exchange, if distributed in kind, is valued at the price for the last sale of like securities traded on the business day prior to distribution or, if there was no sale on that day, at the median between amounts bid and asked at the close of that day. An asset consisting of a sum owed the decedent or the estate by a solvent debtor as to which there is no known dispute or defense is valued at the sum due with accrued interest or discounted to the date of distribution. For an asset that has no readily ascertainable value, a valuation as of a date not more than 30 days prior to the date of distribution, if otherwise reasonable, controls. For purposes of facilitating distribution, the personal representative may ascertain the value of any asset as of the time of the proposed distribution in any reasonable way, including the employment of qualified appraisers, even if the asset may have been previously appraised.

(4) The residuary estate must be distributed in any equitable manner.

History: En. 91A-3-906 by Sec. 1, Ch. 365, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 91A-3-906(1); amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 582, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 2374, Ch. 56, L. 2009.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 2000–2025 · leading case: Est. of Snyder, 2000 MT 113 (Mont. 2000).
Est. of Snyder, 2000 MT 113 (Mont. 2000). · cites it 11× “¶13 Both parties rely on § 72-3-902, MCA, which provides, in relevant part: Unless a contrary intention is indicated by the will, the distributable assets of a decedent’s estate shall be distributed in kind to the extent possible through application of the following provisions:…”
In Re the Est. of Snyder, 2009 MT 291 (Mont. 2009). · cites it 8× “" Because Lucile intended to have her estate distributed pursuant to its value at her death, Snyder II precludes the application of § 72-3-902(2)(b), MCA (any homestead or family allowance or devise of a stated sum of money may be satisfied in kind, provided that the property…”
In Re the Est. of Snyder, 2007 MT 146 (Mont. 2007). · cites it 22× “" She contends that the court has only two options in distributing the Flathead County property: (1) partition, sell the property, and distribute the proceeds pursuant to § 70-29-101, MCA; or (2) distribute the property in kind pursuant to § 72-3-902, MCA. She correctly points…”
Est. of Elliot, 2022 MT 91N (Mont. 2022). · cites it 4× “Regarding StarFire’s remaining real property, Ian correctly cites § 72-3-902, MCA: “Unless a contrary intention is indicated by the will, the distributable assets of a decedent’s estate must be distributed in kind to the extent possible.”
Est. of Elliot, 2025 MT 149 (Mont. 2025). · cites it 8× “The Objectors raise the same argument Ian did in his appeal of Womack’s appointment, see Estate of Elliot II, ¶ 22, citing § 72-3-902, MCA, which expresses a preference for in-kind 17 distributions to the extent possible.”
Est. of Elliot (Mont. 2023). · cites it 2× “A references inter alia Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-902 and in-kind distributions, 6 condemns Womack's decision to have Wipfli perform an accounting, and accuses Womack of 7 artificially inflating expenses for his own personal gain.”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-902(1) — 1 case
Est. of Snyder, 2000 MT 113 (Mont. 2000). “¶13 Both parties rely on § 72-3-902, MCA, which provides, in relevant part: Unless a contrary intention is indicated by the will, the distributable assets of a decedent’s estate shall be distributed in kind to the extent possible through application of the following provisions:…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-902(2)(b) — 2 cases
In Re the Est. of Snyder, 2009 MT 291 (Mont. 2009). “" Because Lucile intended to have her estate distributed pursuant to its value at her death, Snyder II precludes the application of § 72-3-902(2)(b), MCA (any homestead or family allowance or devise of a stated sum of money may be satisfied in kind, provided that the property…”
In Re the Est. of Snyder, 2007 MT 146 (Mont. 2007). “" She contends that the court has only two options in distributing the Flathead County property: (1) partition, sell the property, and distribute the proceeds pursuant to § 70-29-101, MCA; or (2) distribute the property in kind pursuant to § 72-3-902, MCA. She correctly points…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-902(4) — 1 case
Est. of Snyder, 2000 MT 113 (Mont. 2000). “¶13 Both parties rely on § 72-3-902, MCA, which provides, in relevant part: Unless a contrary intention is indicated by the will, the distributable assets of a decedent’s estate shall be distributed in kind to the extent possible through application of the following provisions:…”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.