Montana Parenting Plan Form MP-300: How to Fill It Out Correctly

Montana's Proposed Parenting Plan form (MP-300) is the document every parent must file with the District Court in a dissolution or parenting case involving children. The state provides the form for free through courts.mt.gov — but the form itself is a series of blank boxes with minimal instructions.

Here is how to fill out each section so your plan is accepted on the first filing.

Where to Get the Form

Download Form MP-300 from the Montana Supreme Court's Self-Help Center at courts.mt.gov/forms/childcustody. You can also pick up a paper copy at any District Court Self-Help Law Center in Helena, Missoula, Great Falls, Kalispell, Billings, or Bozeman.

The form packet typically includes the MP-300 (main parenting plan), MP-300-B (holiday and vacation schedule), and the child support guidelines worksheets.

Section-by-Section Walkthrough

Parent and Child Information

Fill in both parents' full legal names, mailing addresses, and phone numbers. List each child's full name and date of birth. The addresses you list here become the legal residences for jurisdictional and school enrollment purposes.

Residential Schedule

This is the section that causes the most rejected filings. The court wants a specific, day-by-day schedule — not "reasonable parenting time" or "as agreed between the parents."

Write exact days and times. For example: "Child resides with Parent A from Monday after school through Wednesday at 8:00 AM. Child resides with Parent B from Wednesday after school through Friday at 8:00 AM. Parents alternate weekends from Friday after school through Monday at 8:00 AM."

If parents live more than 100 miles apart, the residential schedule needs consolidated blocks during summer and school breaks instead of weekly rotations.

Holiday and Vacation Schedule (MP-300-B)

The holiday schedule overrides the regular weekly rotation. List each holiday with specific start and end times and an alternation pattern (odd/even years). Cover at minimum: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's, spring break, summer vacation, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and each child's birthday.

Decision-Making Authority

Check whether major decisions will be shared (both parents agree) or allocated to one parent. Montana divides this into three categories: education, healthcare, and spiritual development. You can allocate these differently — for example, one parent handles medical decisions while both share education decisions.

Dispute Resolution

Every Montana parenting plan must include a dispute resolution method. Most plans specify mediation as the first step before either parent can file a motion with the court. Name the type of dispute resolution and, if possible, a specific provider or method.

Child Support

Attach the completed child support guidelines worksheet. Montana uses Worksheet A (standard) when one parent has 110 or fewer overnights per year, and Worksheet B (shared parenting) when both parents exceed 110 overnights.

Common Mistakes That Get Plans Rejected

Vague scheduling language. "Every other weekend" without specifying start and end times. Judges need enforceable specificity.

Missing holiday schedule. Even if parents think they will "work it out," the court requires a written holiday plan before signing the decree.

No dispute resolution clause. The statute requires it. Omitting this section means the judge sends the plan back.

Inconsistent overnight counts. If your residential schedule gives the non-primary parent 115 overnights but you filed Worksheet A (which assumes 110 or fewer), the math does not match and the court will flag it.

Filing the Completed Form

File the completed MP-300 with the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the children live. The filing fee is $200. If filing jointly with your co-parent (Form MP-117), no summons is needed. If filing individually, you must serve the other parent formally, and they have 21 days to respond with their own proposed plan.

Beyond the Blank Form

The Montana courts deliberately designed MP-300 as a template, not a guide. The Self-Help Center staff are legally prohibited from telling you what language to write in those blank sections.

The Montana Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide provides pre-written residential schedule language, transition scripts, and worksheet tools that turn those blank boxes into a complete, court-ready filing — without paying an attorney $250 an hour to explain what the form is asking.

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