Montana Code Annotated
Part 1. Rules
Rule 5. Proceeding without the required filing fee

Rule 5. Proceeding without the required filing fee.
(1) Motion and affidavit to proceed without paying the filing fee - general. A party in a civil appeal or in an original proceeding for a writ in the supreme court who desires to proceed without payment of the required filing fee shall file a combined motion and affidavit in the supreme court for leave to so proceed, as prescribed by Form 3, showing the party's financial condition and inability to pay the filing fee, the party's belief that the party is entitled to redress, and a short statement of the issues the party intends to present. If necessary to determine a party's financial condition, the supreme court may remand a combined motion and affidavit to the district court for fact-finding.
(2) Motion and affidavit to proceed without paying the filing fee - incarcerated person. A person incarcerated in a correctional institution or facility who is a party in a civil appeal or in an original proceeding for a writ in the supreme court and who desires to proceed without payment of the required filing fee shall file a combined motion and affidavit in the supreme court for leave to so proceed, together with an unnotarized form as otherwise prescribed by Form 3, showing the party's financial condition and inability to pay the filing fee, the party's belief that the party is entitled to redress, and a short statement of the issues the party intends to present.
(3) Determination of indigency - party with appointed counsel. If a party has appointed counsel in an appeal or in an original proceeding for a writ, the party is entitled to proceed without paying the filing fee without further action by the party or the supreme court.
(4) Action by supreme court. The supreme court clerk's office is authorized to act on any motion to proceed without payment of the required filing fee. A party may ask the supreme court to review the supreme court clerk's determination. Within 14 days after the clerk's denial of such a motion, the party must either pay the filing fee or file a request for review by the supreme court. The party may present new evidence to the court in its request for review. The supreme court shall review the supreme court clerk's determination de novo.
(5) Limitations of waiver. The grant of a motion to proceed without payment of the required filing fee waives the filing fee but does not entitle the party to waive other fees or costs, such as transcript preparation costs or attorney fees.
History: En. Sup. Ct. Ord. No. AF 07-0016, July 3, 2007, eff. October 1, 2007; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. No. AF 07-0016, February 20, 2008, eff. March 21, 2008; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. No. AF 07-0016, April 26, 2011, eff. October 1, 2011; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. No. AF 07-0016, July 24, 2012; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. No. AF 07-0016, Feb. 17, 2015, eff. October 1, 2015.

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