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Money disputes up to $7,000 are settled in the Hill County small-claims court, which runs on simplified procedures, and no attorneys at the hearing.
Below is what you need for a small claims case in Hill County: the limit, filing fees, which courthouse to use, how to serve the other side, your deadlines, and how to file. When you're ready, Squabble prepares everything and files it for you.
These cases are heard at the single courthouse below. Hill County confirms the venue from the defendant's address or where the events happened.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Confirm the courthouse before you file. The court's own small-claims page carries its current filing location and hours, and Squabble confirms the courthouse for your case when you file.
About 16,065 people live in Hill County. Small claims filings from Hill County are handled at Hill County Courthouse in Havre.
This court works from paper filings, delivered in person or posted in. Squabble builds the packet so nothing is missing.
The small claims list is heard in person, at the courthouse itself.
Bring copies of your evidence for the judge and the other side; some courts also accept electronic submission ahead of the hearing.
Residents of Hill County, Montana, who wish to file a small claims case do so through the Montana Small Claims Court, which handles disputes up to $7,000. Cases are heard at the Hill County Courthouse, located at 315 4th St in Havre, ZIP code 59501. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed Saturday and Sunday. Court staff can be reached by telephone at (406) 265-5481, and county information is posted at http://hillcounty.us/. Hill County has a population of 16,065 and covers communities including Havre, Box Elder, Gildford, Hingham, Inverness, Kremlin, and Rudyard, along with ZIP codes such as 59521, 59525, 59528, 59530, 59532, and 59540. The county lies near Liberty County, Chouteau County, and Blaine County. Electronic filing is not available in this county, so small claims paperwork is handled at the courthouse during its posted business hours.
A case filed here usually comes from one of these 7 communities:
Box Elder, Gildford, Havre, Hingham, Inverness, Kremlin, Rudyard.
ZIP codes:
Of Montana's 56 counties, Hill County is 12th by population at roughly 16,065 people.
Small claims is the court's track for everyday money disputes: simplified rules, no attorneys at the hearing, and limits on how much you can sue for.
Maximum claim
The county where it happened and the county where they live are both generally available.
Splitting a single claim across multiple filings to dodge the ceiling is not permitted.
The court decides who pays whom and how much. Anything beyond money goes to a higher court.
No attorney appears for either party at the hearing. Advice can be taken beforehand or afterwards.
Minors take part through a guardian appointed by the court.
Over the limit? Either bring the figure down to the maximum and remain in small claims, or file the whole amount in the regular civil court. The amount given up is usually gone for good.
Hill County Courthouse is the courthouse listed for Hill County. Hill County is under the same limits as nearby Liberty County and Chouteau County.
Debts up to $7,000 belong in this court. These are the arguments people bring most frequently.
Hill County has about 16,065 residents. Hill County takes in Box Elder, Gildford and Havre and the rest of the county.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Set out the claim on the court's form, identify the correct courthouse, and pay the fee.
The other side is formally served and has the chance to respond, or to settle before the hearing.
A brief, informal hearing, in person or, where the court offers it, by video. The judge rules at the hearing or sends the decision after.
This is the route a Hill County case takes, whether it starts in 59501 or anywhere else among the county ZIP codes. Everything below applies to a case filed in Hill County, at the Havre courthouse.
Once the case is on file, the law requires the other side to be told about it formally. That step is service of process, and the papers cannot normally come from your own hand. In Montana, courts typically use the sheriff or constable, email service where the court allows it, delivery arranged by the court or certified mail.
Depending on the court: the sheriff or constable, a professional process server, the clerk by certified mail, or another adult who isn't part of the case. Methods and costs vary by county.
How long before the hearing notice must be given is set by the court. That deadline arrives with your hearing date.
The person who delivered the papers signs a proof of service. That document goes to the court ahead of the hearing.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
Liberty County and Chouteau County are the counties nearest to Hill County. A Hill County address carries one of its 7 ZIP codes, 59501, 59521 and 59525 among them.
Filing is only possible for a set time after the events. Beyond it, the other side can have the claim thrown out.
| What the claim is about | Filing deadline |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral contract | 5 years |
| Property damage | 2 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years |
The same periods apply in Hill County as in nearby Liberty County and Chouteau County, which are in the same state. Hill County, population about 16,065, is covered by the table above.
Money owed under a contract in Montana generally accrues interest at 10% per year before judgment (Mont. Code §27-1-211, §31-1-106).
Interest can be calculated before filing using the Squabble interest calculator.
Hill County is under the same state rate as nearby Liberty County and Chouteau County. The rate above is the one for Hill County, population about 16,065.
Confirm the sum sits under the cap and that the time limit for this kind of claim has not run out.
State the party's full legal name, explain the events, and set out the calculation.
File with the Hill County small-claims court on paper, by mail or at the counter, and pay the $20–$30 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
Arrange service once your hearing date is set and file the proof of service with the court.
Gather the paperwork and label your exhibits so each point can be shown quickly.
Appear in person or, where available, remotely, present your case, and receive the court's decision.
Tell Eleanor what happened and Squabble builds the filing, Triple-Checks™ it for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files it on your behalf.
Start for FREE →A claim form opens the case, a proof of service records that notice was given, and a fee waiver applies where you qualify. Titles differ between courts, and Squabble uses the ones your courthouse expects.
Hill County has a population of about 16,065. Hill County takes in filings from 7 ZIP codes, 59501 first in the list.
Hearings run short and plainly. Lawyers do not appear, and questions come from the judge.
Hill County Courthouse sits at the 59501 address shown above. Box Elder, Gildford and Havre are among the Hill County places a hearing can draw parties from.
A judgment is the court's decision. Collecting it is a separate step, with court-backed tools if the other side doesn't pay. Which tools are available depends on state law.
Part of the debtor's earnings may be redirected toward the judgment where state law provides for it.
Funds can be collected directly from the debtor's bank account through a court-ordered levy.
Filing the judgment with the county can attach a lien to land or buildings the debtor owns.
The court can additionally require the debtor to appear and answer under oath about what they earn and own. An unsatisfied judgment usually carries statutory interest until it is paid.
Liberty County and Chouteau County are the counties nearest to Hill County. Box Elder, Gildford and Havre are among the Hill County places a judgment debtor may live in.
Last reviewed August 2026. Court fees, limits, and procedures change. Verify current details with the court before filing.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Hill County case for you.
