72-1-303. Pleadings -- when orders or notice binding one binds another -- representation. - Montana Statutes

     72-1-303. Pleadings -- when orders or notice binding one binds another -- representation. In formal proceedings involving trusts or estates of decedents, minors, protected persons, or incapacitated persons and in judicially supervised settlements, the following apply:
     (1) Interests to be affected must be described in pleadings that give reasonable information to owners by name or class, by reference to the instrument creating the interests, or in other appropriate manner.
     (2) Persons are bound by orders binding others in the following cases:
     (a) Orders binding the sole holder or all coholders of a power of revocation or a presently exercisable general power of appointment, including one in the form of a power of amendment, bind other persons to the extent their interests, as objects, takers in default, or otherwise, are subject to the power.
     (b) (i) To the extent there is no conflict of interest between them or among persons represented, orders binding a:
     (A) conservator bind the person whose estate the conservator controls;
     (B) guardian bind the ward if a conservator of the ward's estate has not been appointed;
     (C) trustee bind beneficiaries of the trust in proceedings to probate a will establishing or adding to a trust, to review the acts or accounts of a prior fiduciary, and in proceedings involving creditors or other third parties; and
     (D) personal representative bind persons interested in the undistributed assets of a decedent's estate in actions or proceedings by or against the estate.
     (ii) If there is no conflict of interest and a conservator or guardian has not been appointed, a parent may represent the parent's minor child.
     (c) An unborn or unascertained person who is not otherwise represented is bound by an order to the extent the person's interest is adequately represented by another party having a substantially identical interest in the proceeding.
     (3) Notice is required as follows:
     (a) Notice as prescribed by 72-1-301 must be given to every interested person or to one who can bind an interested person as described in subsection (2)(a) or (2)(b). Notice may be given both to a person and to another who may bind the person.
     (b) Notice is given to unborn or unascertained persons, who are not represented under subsection (2)(a) or (2)(b), by giving notice to all known persons whose interests in the proceedings are substantially identical to those of the unborn or unascertained persons.
     (4) At any point in a proceeding, a court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interest of a minor, an incapacitated, unborn, or unascertained person, or a person whose identity or address is unknown if the court determines that representation of the interest otherwise would be inadequate. If not precluded by conflict of interests, a guardian ad litem may be appointed to represent several persons or interests. The court shall set out its reasons for appointing a guardian ad litem as a part of the record of the proceeding.

     History: En. 91A-1-403 by Sec. 1, Ch. 365, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 91A-1-403; amd. Sec. 2309, Ch. 56, L. 2009.