TITLE 30. TRADE AND COMMERCE

CHAPTER 10. SECURITIES REGULATION

Part 9. Montana Living Trust Act

Civil Liabilities -- Limitations On Actions

30-10-915. Civil liabilities -- limitations on actions. (1) A person who offers or sells a living trust in violation of 30-10-904 or offers or sells a living trust by means of fraud or misrepresentation is liable to the person buying the living trust, who may sue either at law or in equity to recover the consideration paid for the living trust, together with interest, at 10% a year from the date of payment, costs, and reasonable attorney fees.

(2) A person who directly or indirectly controls an offeror or seller who is liable under subsection (1) or a partner, officer, director, associate, or employee of the offeror or seller who participates or materially aids in the offer or sale is liable jointly and severally with the offeror or seller if the nonseller knew or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known of the violation. Contribution may be required among liable persons.

(3) A person who has made or engaged in the performance of a contract in violation of any provision of this part or any rule or order adopted or issued pursuant to this part or who has acquired any purported right under the contract with knowledge of the violation may not base any suit on the contract. Any condition, stipulation, or provision binding a person acquiring a living trust to waive compliance with any provision of this part or any rule or order adopted pursuant to this part is void as against public policy and the public interest.

(4) (a) Except as provided in subsection (4)(b), an action may not be maintained under this section to enforce any liability founded on a violation of 30-10-904, fraud, or misrepresentation unless it is brought within 2 years after discovery of the violation or after the time the discovery should have been made by the exercise of reasonable diligence.

(b) An action may not be maintained under this section to enforce any liability unless it is brought within 5 years after the transaction on which the action is based.

History: En. Sec. 15, Ch. 348, L. 1997.