Application for Waiver of the Chapter 7 Filing Fee (aka in forma pauperis)

General Information

• The bankruptcy court may waive the chapter 7 filing fee for an individual debtor who:

(a) has income less than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines last published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) applicable to a family of the size involved; and

(b) is unable to pay that fee in installments. The Application for Waiver of Chapter 7 Filing Fee must be filed as a separate event, not included with the Voluntary Petition.

• If Application is granted, the case will become In Forma Pauperis. This means that for the duration of the case, no filing fees are due for the petition or any subsequent filings (e.g. for Amended Schedules). ”IFP” will display  as a flag at the top of the docket screen to indicate this.

Step-by-Step Procedures to file Application for Waiver of the Chapter 7 Filing Fee

1. Log into CM/ECF

2. Select Bankruptcy > Motions, Applications & Briefs

3. Enter the case number (e.g. xx-xxxxx). Click Next

4. Select Waiver of Chapter 7 Filing Fee, Application for from the event list. Click Next

5. Select appropriate radio button to indicate whether or not the Motion you are filing is amended.

6. Check box if jointly filing with another attorney, click Next.

7. If you indicated that you are filing jointly with other attorney(s), select additional attorney(s) and click Next

NOTE: You cannot add attorneys. Only attorneys who have previously entered an appearance will be available for selection.

8. Select the party filer.  If the party is not listed, click on Add/Create New Party. Click Next

Note: The "Attorney/Party Association” screen may appear. If your party selection was correct, check the box to create an association and click Next.

9. Browse to select the Application (pdf file).  Click Next

10. If you indicated in step 5 that you are filing an amended motion, all pending motions on the docket are displayed. Select the motion that is being amended and click Next

11. Enter additional text, if desired, and/or select prefix text and click Next

Note: The prefix text option is not available if you indicated in Step 5 that the Motion you are filing is amended. The additional text option is not always available.

12. Verify final docket text. If correct, click Next to submit and to review Notice of Electronic Filing.