25-34-106. Interpleader actions. (1) As used in this chapter, interpleader actions determine the rights of rival claimants to a fund held by a disinterested party and may be maintained in the small claims court when any person appears before a judge or clerk of court and executes an affidavit setting forth the nature and basis of the claim.
     (2) The person filing the interpleader affidavit shall deposit the funds with the clerk of court at the same time the interpleader affidavit is filed.
     (3) The interpleader must be substantially in the following form:
     In the Small Claims Court of the ......... Judicial District in and for the County of ............., State of Montana.
     
     ......,     
     Plaintiff     
     vs.     
     ......,     INTERPLEADER AFFIDAVIT
     Defendant     
     and     
     ......,     
     Defendant     
     

     
     State of Montana     )
           ) ss
           )
     

     ................., being duly sworn, deposes and says: That..............., a defendant, resides at ................ That................, a defendant, resides at ................ That the plaintiff has custody or possession of money in the amount of $....., held pursuant to the following:
     ...... ...... ...... ......
     That the defendants claim or may claim to be entitled to the money. That the plaintiff deposits into the court $....., which represents the amount of money in dispute.
     That the plaintiff resides at the address shown.
     
           ......
           Affiant
     

     Subscribed and sworn to before me this .... day of ......., 19....
     
           ......
           
           District Judge
           ......
           Clerk
     

          ORDER

     The State of Montana to the within named defendants, greeting:
     You are hereby directed to appear and answer the within and foregoing claim at my office in ............... (name, building, or residence), in ................., County of ..............., State of Montana, on the ....... day of ........, 19...., at the hour of ......(AM)(PM); and to have with you then and there, all books, papers, and witnesses needed by you to establish your claim to such money.
     You are further notified that in case you do not so appear, judgment will be given against you as follows:
     Determining or foreclosing your claim to the above-described money, as well as the disposition thereof; and, in addition, for costs of the action.
     Dated this ....... day of .............., 19.....
     
           ......
           
           District Judge
           ......
           Clerk
     

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 530, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 326, L. 1991.