Rule 550 Waiver of Fees and Costs Required under Chapter 27

If you can't afford to pay the fees and costs that normally come with filing an appeal, you may be able to get them waived. This applies to the fees and costs listed in Chapter 27 of the appellate rules, which cover things like filing fees and other charges tied to appeals.

There are two ways this waiver can work. If you already had a fee waiver in a lower court, that waiver can carry over and continue to apply during your appeal. If you didn't already have one, you can ask the court for a new waiver when you file your appeal.

This rule matters because appeals can be expensive, and money problems shouldn't stop someone from having their case heard. If you think you qualify for a waiver, you'll need to follow the specific steps laid out in the other appellate rules to either continue your existing waiver or apply for a new one.