RE: Discretion to Pay Client's Filing Fees

[Rizzo3672]

Jurisdiction

Alabama

I am an attorney recently licensed to practice law in the state of Alabama. My question concerns the scope of my discretion under Alabama's Rules of Professional Conduct to pay filing fees on behalf of my client.

Rule 1.8(e)(2), Ala. R. Prof. C. provides that "a lawyer representing an indigent client may pay court costs and expenses of litigation on behalf of the client." Within the meaning of this provision, what specific circumstances must be present for a client to qualify as "indigent"?

 

[adjusterjack]

I haven't found any answers online but I did find a place you can ask.

The Alabama Department of Finance - Office of Indigent Defense Services should certainly have a definition of "indigent" that could apply to your question.

Office of Indigent Defense Services

In other words, whatever qualifies a person as indigent for a free lawyer paid for by the government, could apply to your question.