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State research · Montana

Child-centered divorce and custody lawyers in Montana.

Three lawyers whose public records show meaningful child-focused work, substantial family-law depth, professional stature, and a useful first-party online presence.

Research reviewedAugust 17, 2026
01Editorial score95/100

Missoula · Montana

P. Mars Scott

P. Mars Scott Law Offices

Scott’s four decades of Montana family practice are paired with an unusually explicit appreciation of child development and family psychology. His undergraduate psychology background and parenting materials emphasize that custody work requires more than legal doctrine, while the firm offers mediation, arbitration, litigation, and appeals for cases across the conflict spectrum. AAML fellowship, State Bar Family Law Section leadership, legislative work, and an AV Preeminent rating provide exceptional stature in a relatively small bar. The website is detailed, easy to navigate, and contact-ready. His child-centered evidence is more philosophy and training based than guardian-ad-litem service, so parents should ask how he works with evaluators and experts, and confirm current Montana standing, personal availability, staffing, fees, and trial schedule.

Why the children-first signal is real

Psychology undergraduate background and a published parenting-case approach emphasizing child development, psychological knowledge, compassion, and the child's interests.

Divorce and custody depth

Montana family-law practitioner since 1980, handling complex divorce, parenting/custody, mediation, arbitration, litigation, and appeals.

Professional stature

AAML Fellow, former chair of the State Bar Family Law Section, legislative family-law leader, frequent lecturer, and AV Preeminent practitioner.

Children 27/30Case depth 25/25Stature 20/20Online presence 15/15License confidence 8/10
Visit attorney profile ↗Custody practiceContact the firm
Verification note and limitations

Status note: Unable to capture an individual State Bar directory result; current firm and professional-association sources support high confidence, subject to official verification.

Confirm official status, new-client availability, personal case handling, expert strategy, geographic reach, conflicts, fees, and current trial calendar.

02Editorial score92/100

Helena · Montana

Sarah Phillips LaRue

LaRue Law PLLC

LaRue has perhaps Montana’s clearest formal child-advocacy preparation among active family-law referrals. She earned a Child and Family Advocacy certificate, regularly accepts guardian-ad-litem appointments, and is trained in mediation and collaborative family law. Her public philosophy emphasizes preserving peace, strength, and dignity for parents and children while her practice still covers dissolution, parenting, support, paternity, and adoption. The boutique website is unusually useful, with a detailed biography, separate GAL and mediation explanations, direct phone and email, and a contact form. Her public statewide honors are less extensive than Scott’s, but the direct child-centered fit is excellent. Consumers should verify current bar status, recent litigated-custody experience, appointment conflicts, geographic coverage, fees, and whether collaboration is safe and suitable.

Why the children-first signal is real

Certificate in Child and Family Advocacy; regularly appointed guardian ad litem; collaborative-family-law and mediation training with a published peace-and-dignity philosophy.

Divorce and custody depth

Family-focused practice since 2008 involving dissolution, parenting plans, support, paternity, adoption, mediation, GAL work, and collaborative law.

Professional stature

Longtime Helena family practitioner and Montana Collaborative Professionals participant, with specialized child/family credentialing.

Children 30/30Case depth 23/25Stature 16/20Online presence 15/15License confidence 8/10
Visit attorney profile ↗Custody practiceContact the firm
Verification note and limitations

Status note: Unable to capture an individual State Bar result; current first-party materials and an indexed third-party license profile support active-practice confidence, subject to official recheck.

Confirm official status, GAL/client conflicts, recent trial work, geographic reach, fees, availability, and process suitability.

03Editorial score86/100

Missoula · Montana

Madison Mattioli

Laird Cowley, PLLC

Mattioli’s psychology research degree and minor in human and family development provide unusually relevant grounding for custody and guardian-ad-litem work. Her current practice focuses on family law and GAL services, and she brings substantial state and federal litigation plus appellate experience rather than a purely therapeutic or settlement profile. That combination may be valuable in cases where developmental evidence, expert testimony, and courtroom strategy intersect. Laird Cowley’s newly updated biography is detailed, professional, and gives direct email and firm contact access. The key caveat is recency: she joined the firm’s family practice in 2026, so her public record of parent-side divorce and custody matters is less mature than Scott’s or LaRue’s. Verify official status, family-law caseload, venue experience, fees, conflicts, and availability.

Why the children-first signal is real

Guardian ad litem and family lawyer with a psychology degree emphasizing research and a minor in human and family development; mediation services.

Divorce and custody depth

Focuses on family law and GAL services, supported by extensive state/federal litigation, appellate advocacy, and government representation.

Professional stature

Experienced litigator admitted to Montana state and federal courts, the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court; joined a substantial Montana litigation firm in 2026.

Children 29/30Case depth 20/25Stature 15/20Online presence 14/15License confidence 8/10
Visit attorney profile ↗Custody practiceContact the firm
Verification note and limitations

Status note: Unable to capture an individual State Bar directory result; the current firm biography lists Montana admission and active family/GAL work, subject to official verification.

Confirm current Montana status, percentage and duration of family-law practice, recent custody matters, GAL conflicts, geographic coverage, fees, and availability.

Before you hire anyone

A shortlist is the beginning of diligence, not the end.

Kids First Divorce is an independent editorial publication. We do not represent you, refer you to counsel, certify any lawyer, or predict any result. Selection is based on publicly available information reviewed as of the date shown.

Confirm the lawyer’s current license and disciplinary history with the official state authority. Interview the lawyer about conflicts, fees, availability, geographic coverage, relevant experience, strategy, and whether their approach fits your family’s actual facts.

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