Rule 553 Obligation to Inform of Improved Financial Circumstances

If you got permission to skip paying court fees because you couldn't afford them, you have to speak up if your money situation gets better. This means if you get a new job, receive an inheritance, or otherwise start earning enough money to cover those fees, you need to tell the court.

This isn't a one-time check. The duty to update the court continues for as long as your case is active. Both you and your lawyer share this responsibility, so if your lawyer finds out your finances have improved, they also need to report it.

The reason for this rule is fairness. The court waives fees for people who truly can't afford them, so if your situation changes and you can pay, the court needs to know so it can decide whether you should start paying those costs.