1) A joint petition means the case will move on the uncontested track and can be completed in a shorter time 6-9 months depending on the docket of the court, since the parties are not in disagreement over the dissolution. 2) Montana law does require the parties to live separate and apart for 180 days prior to the filing of the petition for divorce. Under Montana law, you can be separate and apart under the same roof as long as you are living separate lives and not as a married couple and not engaging in any marital relations. 3) Abandonment is where one party leaves where it is reasonable to infer their intent is not to return. Moving from a marital residence in preparatation for a divorce is NOT abandonment.

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