§ Rule 240 In Forma Pauperis

Rule 240. In Forma Pauperis

(a) This rule shall apply to all civil actions and proceedings except actions pursuant to the Protection From Abuse Act.

Note: The term “all civil actions and proceedings” includes all domestic relations actions except those brought pursuant to the Protection From Abuse Act, which are governed by 23 Pa.C.S. § 6106.

(b) A party who is without financial resources to pay the costs of litigation is entitled to proceed in forma pauperis.

(c) Except as provided by subdivision (d), the party shall file a petition and an affidavit in the form prescribed by subdivision (h). The petition may not be filed prior to the commencement of an action or the taking of an appeal.

(1)(i) If the petition is filed simultaneously with the commencement of the action or with the taking of the appeal, the prothonotary shall docket the action and petition or shall accept the appeal and petition without the payment of any filing fee.

(ii) If the court shall thereafter deny the petition, the petitioner shall pay the filing fee for commencing the action or taking the appeal. A party required to pay such fee may not without leave of court take any further steps in the action or appeal so long as such fee remains unpaid. Not sooner than ten days after notice of the denial of the petition pursuant to Rule 236, the prothonotary shall enter a judgment of non pros in the action or strike the appeal if the fee remains unpaid. The action or appeal shall be reinstated only by the court for good cause shown.

(2) If the action is commenced or the appeal is taken without the simultaneous filing of a petition, the appropriate filing fee must be paid and shall not be refunded if a petition is thereafter filed and granted.

(3) The court shall act promptly upon the petition and shall enter its order within twenty days from the date of the filing of the petition. If the petition is denied, in whole or in part, the court shall briefly state its reasons.

(d)(1) If the party is represented by an attorney, the prothonotary shall allow the party to proceed in forma pauperis upon the filing of a praecipe which contains a certification by the attorney that he or she is providing free legal service to the party and believes the party is unable to pay the costs.

(2) The praecipe shall be substantially in the form prescribed by subdivision (i).

(e) A party permitted to proceed in forma pauperis has a continuing obligation to inform the court of improvement in the party's financial circumstances which will enable the party to pay costs.

(f) A party permitted to proceed in forma pauperis shall not be required to

(1) pay any cost or fee imposed or authorized by Act of Assembly or general rule which is payable to any court or prothonotary or any public officer or employee, or

(2) post bond or other security for costs as a condition for commencing an action or taking an appeal.

(g) If there is a monetary recovery by judgment or settlement in favor of the party permitted to proceed in forma pauperis, the exonerated fees and costs shall be taxed as costs and paid to the prothonotary by the party paying the monetary recovery. In no event shall the exonerated fees and costs be paid to the indigent party.

(h) The affidavit in support of a petition for leave to proceed in forma pauperis shall be substantially in the following form:

(Caption)

1. I am the (plaintiff) (defendant) in the above matter and because of my financial condition am unable to pay the fees and costs of prosecuting or defending the action or proceeding.

2. I am unable to obtain funds from anyone, including my family and associates, to pay the costs of litigation.

3. I represent that the information below relating to my ability to pay the fees and costs is true and correct:

(a) Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

(b) Employment

If you are presently employed, state

Employer: ____________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

Salary or wages per month: ___________________________________________________

Type of work: ________________________________________________________________

If you are presently unemployed, state

Date of last employment: _____________________________________________________

Salary or wages per month: ___________________________________________________

Type of work: ________________________________________________________________

Business or profession: ______________________________________________________

Other self-employment: _______________________________________________________

Interest: ____________________________________________________________________

Dividends: ___________________________________________________________________

Pension and annuities: _______________________________________________________

Social security benefits: ____________________________________________________

Support payments: ____________________________________________________________

Disability payments: _________________________________________________________

Unemployment compensation and supplemental benefits: _________________________

Workers’ compensation: _______________________________________________________

Public assistance: ___________________________________________________________

Other: _______________________________________________________________________

(d) Other contributions to household support

(Wife)(Husband) Name: ________________________________________________________

If your (wife)(husband) is employed, state

Employer: ____________________________________________________________________

Salary or wages per month: ___________________________________________________

Type of work: ________________________________________________________________

Contributions from children: _________________________________________________

Contributions from parents: __________________________________________________

Other contributions: _________________________________________________________

(e) Property owned

Cash: ________________________________________________________________________

Checking account: ____________________________________________________________

Savings account: _____________________________________________________________

Certificates of deposit: _____________________________________________________

Real estate (including home): ________________________________________________

Motor vehicle: Make ________________________, Year ___,

Cost ____________, Amount Owed $_______________________________________________________

Stocks and bonds: ____________________________________________________________

Other: _______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

(f) Debts and obligations

Mortgage: ____________________________________________________________________

Rent: ________________________________________________________________________

Loans: _______________________________________________________________________

Other: _______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

(g) Persons dependent upon you for support

    (Wife)(Husband) Name: ________________________________________________________

    Children, if any:

Name: ________________________________________ Age:

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Other persons:

Name: ________________________________________________________________________

Relationship: ________________________________________________________________

4. I understand that I have a continuing obligation to inform the court of improvement in my financial circumstances

which would permit me to pay the costs incurred herein.

5. I verify that the statements made in this affidavit are true and correct. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.

Date: ____________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Petitioner

(i) The praecipe required by subdivision (d) shall be substantially in the following form:

(Caption)

PRAECIPE TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

To the Prothonotary:

Kindly allow________________________, (Plaintiff)(Defendant), to proceed in forma pauperis.

I, _______, attorney for the party proceeding in forma pauperis, certify that I believe the party is unable to pay the costs and that I am providing free legal service to the party.

________________________________________________________________________________

Attorney for

(j) If, simultaneous with the commencement of an action or proceeding or the taking of an appeal, a party has filed a petition for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, the court prior to acting upon the petition may dismiss the action, proceeding or appeal if the allegation of poverty is untrue or if it is satisfied that the action, proceeding or appeal is frivolous.

Note: A frivolous action or proceeding has been defined as one that “lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact.” Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 109 S.Ct. 1827, 104 L.Ed.2d 338 (1990).