Rule 55(b). Judgment. Judgment by default may be entered as follows:
     (1) By the clerk. When the plaintiff's claim against a defendant is for a sum certain or for a sum which can by computation be made certain, the clerk upon request of the plaintiff and upon affidavit of the amount due shall enter judgment for that amount and costs against the defendant, if the defendant has been defaulted for failure to appear and is not an infant or incompetent person, and has been personally served. No judgment by default shall be entered by the clerk when service has been by publication.
     (2) By the court. In all other cases the party entitled to a judgment by default shall apply to the court therefor; but no judgment by default shall be entered against an infant or incompetent person unless represented in the action by a general guardian, committee, conservator, or other such representative, or guardian ad litem, who has appeared therein. If the party against whom judgment by default is sought has appeared in the action, the party (or, if appearing by representative, the party's representative) shall be served with written notice of the application for judgment at least 3 days prior to the hearing on such application. If, in order to enable the court to enter judgment or to carry it into effect, it is necessary to take an account or to determine the amount of damages or to establish the truth of any averment by evidence or to make an investigation of any other matter, the court may conduct such hearings or order such references as it deems necessary and proper and shall accord a right of trial by jury to the parties when and as required by any statute of the state of Montana.

     History: En. Sec. 55, Ch. 13, L. 1961; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. June 1, 1964, eff. July 1, 1964; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. Oct. 9, 1984, eff. Oct. 9, 1984; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. May 1, 1990, eff. May 1, 1990.