Can you get your Kentucky court filing fee waived?
Kentucky decides fee waivers using 100% of the federal poverty guidelines. That gives you a number to compare against, but it is usually a presumption or one route of several, not a hard ceiling.
Compare your income
For a household of 1, 100% of the federal poverty guidelines is $15,960 a year ($1,330 a month). The guideline itself is $15,960.
Ways to qualify in Kentucky
- Income. At or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines for your household size.
- Inability to pay. You explain your income, expenses and debts on a sworn form, and the court decides whether paying the fee would leave you unable to cover basic needs. This route has no income cutoff.
Either income at or below 100% on the Kentucky Supreme Court sliding scale, OR a separate judicial finding that paying would deprive the filer or dependents of life's necessities. Benefits are disclosed as income, not automatic qualifiers.
What to file
Kentucky uses the Motion for Waiver of Costs and Fees and to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (AOC-026). File it at the same time as your petition or response, not after.
This page explains how Kentucky decides fee waivers. It is not legal advice, and it cannot tell you how a judge will rule on your case. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm.
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