Can the Court waive the filing fee?
Federal law, 28 U.S.C. ยง1930, requires a fee to file a bankruptcy petition. If you cannot pay the full fee at the time of filing, you may apply to pay the fee in installments. A form, which is available from the bankruptcy clerk’s office, must be completed to make that application. If your application to pay in installments is approved, you will be permitted to complete paying the fee over the course of four months. Chapter 7 debtors in certain specific circumstances may request a waiver of the initial filing fee upon showing that they meet certain criteria. If the Court denies the request, you will be required to pay the fee in installments.
