Doesn’t Matter If Litigant Has The Money To Pay. If Someone Is On Public Assistance, Courts Must Give Them A Free Ride And Waive Court Fees.

A woman’s fee waivers were denied by the trial court, after the court concluded that, even though she received public assistance, she had other sources of money. In reversing, the appellate court stated: “There is nothing in the court’s orders or findings to suggest the court did not believe appellant was receiving public benefits. The court was therefore required to grant appellant’s applications for a fee waiver, and relieve her of the expense of paying for the court reporter and any other court fees or costs assessed after the date of the initial application.” (C.S. v. W.O. (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 4; September 26, 2014) 230 Cal.App.4th 23, [178 Cal.Rptr.3d 328].)