# Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-606: 72-3-606 Possession and protection of estate

> Montana · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-606

## Section

- **Citation:** Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-606
- **Heading:** 72-3-606 Possession and protection of estate
- **Jurisdiction:** Montana
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MT Code / Title 72 / Chapter 3 / Part 6 / Section 72-3-606

## Text

72-3-606 . Possession and protection of estate. (1) Except as otherwise provided by a decedent's will, a personal representative has a right to and shall take possession or control of the decedent's property, except that any real property or tangible personal property may be left with or surrendered to the person presumptively entitled to the property unless or until, in the judgment of the personal representative, possession of the property by the personal representative will be necessary for purposes of administration. The request by a personal representative for delivery of any property possessed by an heir or devisee is conclusive evidence, in any action against the heir or devisee for possession of the property, that the possession of the property by the personal representative is necessary for purposes of administration.

(2) The personal representative shall pay taxes on and take all steps reasonably necessary for the management, protection, and preservation of the estate in the personal representative's possession. The personal representative may maintain an action to recover possession of property or to determine the title to the property.

## Nearby sections

- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-601 72-3-601 Time of accrual of duties and powers -- power of executor prior to appointment -- ratification](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-601.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-602 72-3-602 Priority among different letters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-602.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-603 72-3-603 Notice of appointment to heirs and devisees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-603.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-604 72-3-604 Standing to sue](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-604.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-605 72-3-605 Personal representative to proceed without court order -- power to invoke jurisdiction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-605.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-606 72-3-606 Possession and protection of estate](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-606.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-607 72-3-607 Inventory -- appraisal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-607.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-609 72-3-609 Supplemental inventory](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-609.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-610 72-3-610 General duties -- fiduciary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-610.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-611 72-3-611 No surcharge for authorized acts generally -- limitation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-611.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-612 72-3-612 No individual liability -- exceptions -- certain claims to be brought against personal representative](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-612.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-613 72-3-613 Transactions authorized for personal representative](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-613.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-614 72-3-614 Power to recover property that is subject of void or voidable transfer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-614.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-615 72-3-615 Transaction involving conflict of interest -- voidable -- exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-615.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C3_P6_S72-3-606. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.