Montana § 72-3-526 - Termination Of Appointment -- Removal For Cause

§ 72-3-526. Termination Of Appointment -- Removal For Cause

Termination of appointment -- removal for cause. (1) A person interested in the estate may petition for removal of a personal representative for cause at any time. Upon filing of the petition, the court shall fix a time and place for hearing. Notice must be given by the petitioner to the personal representative and to other persons as the court may order. Except as otherwise ordered as provided in 72-3-617 , after receipt of notice of removal proceedings, the personal representative may not act except to account, to correct maladministration, or preserve the estate. If removal is ordered, the court also shall direct by order the disposition of the assets remaining in the name of or under the control of the personal representative being removed. (2) Cause for removal exists: (a) when removal would be in the best interests of the estate; or (b) if it is shown that a personal representative or the person seeking the personal representative's appointment intentionally misrepresented material facts in the proceedings leading to the appointment or that the personal representative has disregarded an order of the court, has become incapable of discharging the duties of the office, or has mismanaged the estate or failed to perform any duty pertaining to the office. (3) Unless the decedent's will directs otherwise, a personal representative appointed at the decedent's domicile, incident to securing self-appointment or appointment of the personal representative's nominee as ancillary personal representative, may obtain removal of another who was appointed personal representative in this state to administer local assets.