1-5-302. When execution may be proved by handwriting. The execution of an instrument may be established by proof of the handwriting of the party and of a subscribing witness, if there is one, in the following cases: (1) when the parties and all the subscribing witnesses are dead; (2) when the parties and all the subscribing witnesses are nonresidents of the state; (3) when the place of their residence is unknown to the party desiring the proof and cannot be ascertained by the exercise of due diligence; (4) when the subscribing witness hides or cannot be found by the officer by the exercise of due diligence in attempting to serve the subpoena or attachment; or (5) in case of the continued failure or refusal of the witness to testify for the period of 1 hour after the witness's appearance. History: En. Sec. 1618, Civ. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 4672, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 6923, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Civ. Sec. 1198; re-en. Sec. 6923, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 39-120; amd. Sec. 25, Ch. 61, L. 2007.
Montana Legal Code
§ 1-5-302
Source: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0010/chapter_0050/part_0030/section_0020/0010-0050-0030-0020.html· Version 2025