Montana · MCA 71-3-521 et seq.Montana construction lien deadlines: the 20-day notice, the 90-day filing and the two-year suit

In Montana, anyone other than an original contractor dealing directly with the owner, a wage earner, or a person working on a building of five or more units or a commercial project must give the contracting owner a notice of the right to claim a lien by certified mail or personal delivery within 20 days after first furnishing services or materials – or the lien covers only what was furnished in the 20 days before the notice – and file a copy with the county clerk and recorder within five business days (MCA 71-3-531). A lien doesn't attach and can't be enforced unless it's filed with the county clerk and recorder within 90 days after the claimant's final furnishing, or after the owner files a notice of completion, with a certification that a copy was served on the owner of record (71-3-535(1)–(2)). An action to enforce must be started within two years after the lien is filed (71-3-562).