As you watch the sun set behind the Bridger Mountains, your mind is elsewhere. You’ve just received divorce papers. Perhaps your co-parent is threatening to move out of state with your children. Maybe you’re preparing to adopt and want the process to go smoothly. Regardless of your situation, family legal issues don’t wait, and neither should you.
If you’re dealing with a life-changing family matter, a Bozeman family law attorney can help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and legal protection.
Family law impacts every aspect of your life, including your children, finances, housing, and emotional well-being. In Montana, these cases are governed by the Family Law Code, which sets the rules for everything from marriage dissolution to parenting plans.
At Judnich Law, our team prides itself on offering skilled, professional insight while providing compassionate, personal care. We are strong advocates who know that your family means more to you than almost anything else in your life. Therefore, we are here to empower you and help you get the best outcome possible.
In Montana, divorce is referred to as “dissolution of marriage.” Montana is a no-fault state, so you don’t need to prove fault, such as adultery or abandonment. Instead, you only need to show that your marriage is irretrievably broken.
You must meet the residency requirement by living in Montana for at least 90 days before filing. From there, you and your spouse will need to resolve several key issues:
Some divorces can be resolved through a mutual agreement and filed as an uncontested case. Others require formal court hearings or trials. An experienced Bozeman family law attorney can advise you and help you make advantageous decisions, help conduct proper discovery, represent your interests during negotiations, help draft settlement agreements and other legal documents, and represent your interests in court.
Montana law favors the best interests of the child. That standard is applied to all custody decisions and parenting arrangements. When developing a parenting plan, courts consider various factors:
Parents can and often do propose joint parenting plans, which the court will usually approve if it’s reasonable and in the child’s best interest. In cases where parents cannot reach an agreement, the judge will establish a plan following a hearing. Parenting plans typically outline:
We help you build parenting plans that protect your peace of mind and your child’s future.
Montana uses standardized child support guidelines to determine how much support parents should pay. These guidelines consider parents’ incomes, parenting time, and the child’s needs. Key components of Montana’s child support formula include:
When life changes, your support order should, too. We help you take swift legal action so your obligations match your reality. An attorney can review your child support calculation to ensure it reflects your real-life situation and file for modification when appropriate.
Every adoption carries its own story. Whether you’re a stepparent formalizing an existing bond or a family welcoming a child through private placement, we guide you through each legal requirement with care, precision, and compassion. Types of adoption we handle include:
All adoption cases require a legal petition, background checks, home studies (in most cases), and a court hearing to assess if the adoption is in the child’s best interests. If the child is over age 12, their consent is typically required. These requirements protect children while creating stable, permanent family relationships.
Mistakes or delays can create permanent setbacks. Our attorney can walk you through the steps, file the necessary documents, and advocate for you at each stage.
Family law cases involve emotional decisions that carry lifetime consequences for you and your children. Professional legal counsel offers clear guidance when emotions could cloud judgment and helps you understand the long-term implications of settlement proposals or court orders.
A compassionate, strategic attorney provides support in the moments that matter most:
Hiring a lawyer experienced with family law in Bozeman means having a guide who understands local court practices, judges, and procedures and can explain each step in plain language.
Legal fees vary depending on the scope of your case, but at the Judnich Law Office, we’re upfront about costs from the beginning. After a consultation, you’ll receive a clear quote and breakdown. No surprises and no inflated invoices.
Our firm offers individualized service backed by more than a decade of family law practice in Montana. Our lead attorney has successfully handled hundreds of cases involving child custody, divorce, parenting plans, and adoption. Clients trust us for:
We limit our caseload so each client receives the attention they deserve. Whether your case is amicable or contested, we’re here to listen, guide, and advocate for what matters most to you.
Whether you’re facing divorce, fighting for parenting time, or growing your family through adoption, our Bozeman family lawyers stand by you from start to finish. Let’s move forward together.
