Montana § 72-2-822 - Disclaimer Of Interest In Property

Full text of Montana Montana Code Annotated § 72-2-822 — Disclaimer Of Interest In Property, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 72-2-822. Disclaimer Of Interest In Property

Disclaimer of interest in property. (1) In this section: (a) "Future interest" means an interest that takes effect in possession or enjoyment, if at all, later than the time of its creation. (b) "Time of distribution" means the time when a disclaimed interest would have taken effect in possession or enjoyment. (2) Except for a disclaimer governed by 72-2-823 or 72-2-824 , the following rules apply to a disclaimer of an interest in property: (a) The disclaimer takes effect as of the time the instrument creating the interest becomes irrevocable, or, if the interest arose under the law of intestate succession, as of the time of the intestate's death. (b) The disclaimed interest passes according to any provision in the instrument creating the interest providing for the disposition of the interest, should it be disclaimed, or of disclaimed interests in general. (c) If the instrument does not contain a provision described in subsection (2)(b), the following rules apply: (i) If the disclaimant is not an individual, the disclaimed interest passes as if the disclaimant did not exist. (ii) If the disclaimant is an individual, except as otherwise provided in subsections (2)(c)(iii) and (2)(c)(iv), the disclaimed interest passes as if the disclaimant had died immediately before the time of distribution. (iii) If by law or under the instrument, the descendants of the disclaimant would share in the disclaimed interest by any method of representation had the disclaimant died before the time of distribution, the disclaimed interest passes only to the descendants of the disclaimant who survive the time of distribution. (iv) If the disclaimed interest would pass to the disclaimant's estate had the disclaimant died before the time of distribution, the disclaimed interest instead passes by representation to the descendants of the disclaimant who survive the time of distribution. If no descendant of the disclaimant survives the time of distribution, the disclaimed interest passes to those persons, including the state but excluding the disclaimant, and in such shares as would succeed to the transferor's intestate estate under the intestate succession law of the transferor's domicile had the transferor died at the time of distribution. However, if the transferor's surviving spouse is living but is remarried at the time of distribution, the transferor is deemed to have died unmarried at the time of distribution. (d) Upon the disclaimer of a preceding interest, a future interest held by a person other than the disclaimant takes effect as if the disclaimant had died or ceased to exist immediately before the time of distribution, but a future interest held by the disclaimant is not accelerated in possession or enjoyment.

Source: official Montana text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Montana § 72-2-822

What does Montana Code Annotated § 72-2-822 cover?

Section 72-2-822 ("Disclaimer Of Interest In Property") is part of the Montana Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Montana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Montana § 72-2-822?

A common citation format is "Montana Code Annotated § 72-2-822" (Montana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Montana law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Montana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Montana attorney.

How does Montana § 72-2-822 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Montana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Montana.