I cannot afford court fees for filing a case.
How do I get a fee waiver? I have also been told that this is known as poor person's relief or informa pauperis or indigent relief.
Answer
From the CourtHelp website:
If you are getting public benefits, are a low-income person, or do not have enough money to pay for your household’s basic needs and your court fees, you can ask the court for a "fee waiver." This is also called "poor person’s relief." [CPLR 1101]
With a fee waiver, you won’t have to pay court costs for starting a case, filing a jury demand, appealing a court decision and getting a transcript of the trial.
The CourtHelp website links to sample forms and instructions. Check for local forms posted under local Help Centers and individual Court pages. The Appellate Divisions have sample forms. The Third Dept has sample poor person forms for appeals for Family Court and Workers' Compensation Board.
Links & Files
- CourtHelp Fee Waiver Opens in new window
- New York City Civil Court -- To Proceed as a Poor Person Opens in new window
- New York County Help Center Forms & Instructions Opens in new window
- Poor Person Order -- Divorce Opens in new window
- Poor Person Relief -- !st Dept Appellate Division Opens in new window
- Poor Person Relief -- 4th Dept Appellate Division Opens in new window
- Poor Person Forms -- Appellate Term 2d Judicial Dept Opens in new window
- Poor Person Relief -- 3d Dept Appellate Division Opens in new window