New Legislation Requires OH Courts to Accept Fee Waivers

Ohio passed legislation at the end of 2018 requiring all county and municipal courts to accept fee waiver applications in civil cases for eligible applicants. 

The law waives prepayment and allows a person to file documents in court, but the costs can still be charged at the end of the case.  The courts must accept waivers for people whose household income is below 187.5% of the federal poverty guidelines and may accept waivers for people whose income is higher.  The new law takes effect on March 22, 2019.