When You Can't Afford the Filing Fee: Access to the Courts

Filing fees can be a real barrier. The Supreme Court has held that in some cases, inability to pay cannot shut the courthouse door, and most courts offer a way to ask for a fee waiver.

Sandra JenkinsKasecraft Journalist

Sunday, October 4, 2026 · 2 min read

Court costs add up quickly: filing fees, service fees, transcript costs. For many people representing themselves, the first obstacle is not the law. It is the price of getting through the door.…