This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Fee Waiver Indigency in Tennessee

Tennessee law provides a mechanism for litigants to obtain a waiver of court fees based on indigency, governed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-12-127 and Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 29. The rule requires the court to determine whether the applicant meets the statutory definition of indigency, which is assessed using factors set out in the official source. No specific dollar amount or income threshold is stated in the rule itself; instead, the court evaluates the applicant’s financial circumstances as prescribed. The official source at the Tennessee courts website contains the complete criteria and exceptions. A worked example below illustrates how the formula applies in practice. Use the DocketMath calculator to estimate whether your own situation may qualify for a fee waiver.

Governing authority

In Tennessee, the fee waiver indigency rule is set by Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-12-127; Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 29. The verified packet cites Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-12-127; Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 29 (https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-29-uniform-civil-affidavit-indigency).

Tennessee fee waiver indigency: governed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-12-127; Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 29. The verified packet cites Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-12-127; Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 29 (https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-29-uniform-civil-affidavit-indigency).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the fee waiver indigency calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.