How can I get the divorce court filing fee waived? – Application for determination of civil indigent status
This is top secret stuff, the application for determination of civil indigent status is a form that many court clerks do not want you to know exist.
Many people wait forever to file for divorce because they do not want to spend the money on a lost cause.
From the moment you go to the courthouse to pick up a divorce packet you are told you will need to pay $408 in court filing fee and if you need to serve the divorce documents to your spouse there will be an additional $10 summons fee and then the sheriff fee which could add approximately $40 to your total cost.
Do you qualify for a no court divorce? Click below to find out
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No one has $400+ sitting around to throw at their ex.
That’s because many people do not know about the Florida divorce court filing fee waiver.
Many Florida residents qualify to have their divorce court filing fees waived, even if you do not qualify for government assistance.
What is the Florida divorce court filing fee waiver?
The Florida divorce court filing fee waiver is a form that’s called Application for Determination of Indigent Status, the form was created by pro-se litigants that have no income or low income. The form can be downloaded from the link above and then submitted with the rest of the divorce documents. The financial information provided on the form is not checked however it should match the financial affidavitof the petitioner.
Who qualifies for the Application for determination of civil indigent status?
If your income is less than indicated below you may qualify to have your court filing fees waived:
|
Household Size/Dependents | Max Annual Income |
| 1 | $23,760 |
| 2 | 32,040 |
| 3 | 40,320 |
| 4 | 48,600 |
| 5 | 56,880 |
| 6 | 65,160 |
| 7 | 73,460 |
| 8 | 81,780 |
Other things that will affect if you qualify or not:
- A vehicle that is worth more than $5,000. If there is a loan then it’s based of the fair market value minus what is owed on the vehicle.
- If the petitioner still lives with the respondent then both incomes will be used to determine eligibility.
- Money in cash or banks.
- Other assets.
The application for indigent status AKA court filing fee waiver is a very delicate form.
Any mistake, missing information, etc. will cause the application to be denied and for the court to ask you for the court filing fee.
Working with a Florida divorce document preparer is the best way to avoid issues and get the waiver approved. One mistake on the form and the waiver can be denied.
Hiring a Florida divorce attorney while applying for a court filing fee waiver – Indigent Status
It is unknown if the court filing fee waiver can be used when you hire a Florida divorce attorney.
Most likely the form will be denied due to your ability to afford an attorney. Take this legal expense into account when deciding if you can afford to hire a divorce attorney.
Can I get my divorce court filing fees waived?
If you receive government assistance there is a big chance that you qualify for the court filing fee waiver – indigent status.
If you receive assistance such as welfare, food stamps, social security income, unemployment assistance, disability or any other type of government assistance, you will most likely qualify for the court filing fee waiver.
How can I get assistance with my divorce?
Our office has helped many people get divorced without having to cover the court filing fee. We include the preparation of this form with our divorce preparation fee at no additional cost.
We are affordable, flat fee, bilingual (English and Spanish), and work fast. Best of all we have been helping Florida residents file for divorce within the last 10 years.